Cost of living in United States compared to Switzerland
Currency:
| Food | - 28% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 28% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| United States | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $18 (CHF 17) | CHF 26 | - 35% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 (CHF 9) | CHF 15 | - 42% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.91 (CHF 5.41) | CHF 12 | - 55% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.08 (CHF 0.99) | CHF 1.72 | - 43% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.79 (CHF 4.39) | CHF 8 | - 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.56 (CHF 4.17) | CHF 4.26 | - 2% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (CHF 6) | CHF 12 | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.61 (CHF 4.22) | CHF 3.76 | + 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.61 (CHF 2.39) | CHF 2.39 | - 0% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.07 (CHF 2.81) | CHF 1.87 | + 50% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (CHF 14) | CHF 15 | - 6% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.66 (CHF 2.43) | CHF 2.50 | - 3% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.06 (CHF 2.80) | CHF 2.68 | + 5% | |
| Housing | - 5% | |||
| Housing in United States is 5% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| United States | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,980 (CHF 2,728) | CHF 3,102 | - 12% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,218 (CHF 2,030) | CHF 2,354 | - 14% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $219 (CHF 201) | CHF 189 | + 6% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,907 (CHF 1,745) | CHF 1,763 | - 1% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,455 (CHF 1,332) | CHF 1,318 | + 1% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $151 (CHF 138) | CHF 101 | + 37% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $65 (CHF 60) | CHF 54 | + 10% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $295 (CHF 270) | CHF 479 | - 44% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $126 (CHF 115) | CHF 106 | + 9% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $14 (CHF 12) | CHF 12 | + 4% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $31 (CHF 29) | CHF 32 | - 10% | |
| Clothes | - 26% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 26% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| United States | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $53 (CHF 49) | CHF 101 | - 52% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $44 (CHF 40) | CHF 44 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $91 (CHF 83) | CHF 116 | - 28% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $118 (CHF 108) | CHF 161 | - 33% | |
| Transportation | - 17% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 17% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| United States | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,571 (CHF 25,236) | CHF 31,963 | - 21% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.07 (CHF 0.98) | CHF 1.97 | - 50% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $78 (CHF 72) | CHF 79 | - 9% | |
| Personal Care | - 22% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 22% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| United States | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 (CHF 7) | CHF 15 | - 52% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $19 (CHF 17) | CHF 35 | - 50% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $131 (CHF 120) | CHF 130 | - 8% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 (CHF 8) | CHF 5.29 | + 43% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.65 (CHF 4.26) | CHF 4.05 | + 5% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.89 (CHF 5.39) | CHF 4.98 | + 8% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.47 (CHF 4.09) | CHF 2.82 | + 45% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.18 (CHF 2.00) | CHF 3.07 | - 35% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $27 (CHF 25) | CHF 49 | - 49% | |
| Entertainment | - 29% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 29% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| United States | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $53 (CHF 49) | CHF 64 | - 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $27 (CHF 25) | CHF 36 | - 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $183 (CHF 168) | CHF 85 | + 97% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $82 (CHF 75) | CHF 116 | - 35% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $13 (CHF 12) | CHF 17 | - 28% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.13 (CHF 4.70) | CHF 4.65 | + 1% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $6 (CHF 5.56) | CHF 6 | - 14% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $574 (CHF 526) | CHF 813 | - 35% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.20 (CHF 0.19) | CHF 0.28 | - 34% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $54 (CHF 49) | CHF 91 | - 46% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (CHF 9) | CHF 9 | - 2% | |
| TOTAL | - 17% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 23, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.915
CHF
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 24,032 prices entered by 3,040 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 17% cheaper than in Switzerland
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