Cost of living in Germany compared to Switzerland
Currency:
| Food | - 39% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Germany is 39% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Germany | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €19 (CHF 18) | CHF 27 | - 33% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €11 (CHF 10) | CHF 15 | - 33% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €5.32 (CHF 4.99) | CHF 11 | - 54% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.33 (CHF 1.25) | CHF 1.85 | - 32% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €4.20 (CHF 3.95) | CHF 8 | - 48% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €3.11 (CHF 2.92) | CHF 4.08 | - 28% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €6 (CHF 5.65) | CHF 10 | - 46% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €3.28 (CHF 3.08) | CHF 3.53 | - 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €1.79 (CHF 1.68) | CHF 2.46 | - 32% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €1.07 (CHF 1.00) | CHF 2.65 | - 62% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €8 (CHF 7) | CHF 19 | - 61% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €2.16 (CHF 2.03) | CHF 2.73 | - 26% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.72 (CHF 1.62) | CHF 2.49 | - 35% | |
| Housing | - 45% | |||
| Housing in Germany is 45% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Germany | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,846 (CHF 1,733) | CHF 3,456 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,387 (CHF 1,303) | CHF 2,376 | - 45% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €255 (CHF 239) | CHF 223 | + 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €1,175 (CHF 1,103) | CHF 2,311 | - 52% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €886 (CHF 832) | CHF 1,662 | - 50% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €150 (CHF 141) | CHF 154 | - 8% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €26 (CHF 24) | CHF 37 | - 35% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €382 (CHF 358) | CHF 329 | + 9% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €93 (CHF 87) | CHF 148 | - 41% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €8 (CHF 8) | CHF 19 | - 60% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €17 (CHF 16) | CHF 30 | - 47% | |
| Clothes | - 21% | |||
| Clothes in Germany is 21% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Germany | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €87 (CHF 82) | CHF 107 | - 23% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €44 (CHF 41) | CHF 50 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €99 (CHF 93) | CHF 134 | - 31% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €155 (CHF 146) | CHF 170 | - 14% | |
| Transportation | - 29% | |||
| Transportation in Germany is 29% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Germany | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €27,153 (CHF 25,491) | CHF 29,589 | - 14% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.74 (CHF 1.63) | CHF 1.79 | - 9% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €52 (CHF 49) | CHF 80 | - 39% | |
| Personal Care | - 50% | |||
| Personal Care in Germany is 50% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Germany | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €8 (CHF 7) | CHF 12 | - 40% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €8 (CHF 7) | CHF 18 | - 59% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €69 (CHF 64) | CHF 105 | - 39% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €5.17 (CHF 4.85) | CHF 5.34 | - 9% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €2.81 (CHF 2.64) | CHF 5.10 | - 48% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €2.45 (CHF 2.30) | CHF 5.10 | - 55% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €1.72 (CHF 1.62) | CHF 4.57 | - 65% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €1.55 (CHF 1.46) | CHF 3.94 | - 63% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €23 (CHF 21) | CHF 47 | - 55% | |
| Entertainment | - 53% | |||
| Entertainment in Germany is 53% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| Germany | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €42 (CHF 40) | CHF 76 | - 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €27 (CHF 25) | CHF 38 | - 33% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €160 (CHF 150) | CHF 141 | + 7% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €62 (CHF 58) | CHF 123 | - 53% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €10 (CHF 10) | CHF 18 | - 46% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €4.17 (CHF 3.91) | CHF 5.65 | - 31% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €4.24 (CHF 3.98) | CHF 8 | - 48% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €585 (CHF 549) | CHF 497 | + 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.09 (CHF 0.09) | CHF 0.59 | - 85% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €40 (CHF 37) | CHF 89 | - 58% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €9 (CHF 8) | CHF 9 | - 10% | |
| TOTAL | - 41% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 16, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.939
CHF
/
EUR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,270 prices entered by 337 different people.
Cost of living in Germany is 41% cheaper than in Switzerland
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