Cost of living in Switzerland compared to United Arab Emirates
Currency:
| Food | + 121% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Switzerland is 121% more expensive than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| Switzerland | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 27 (Dirham 124) | Dirham 47 | + 163% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 15 (Dirham 71) | Dirham 35 | + 106% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 11 (Dirham 50) | Dirham 18 | + 172% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.85 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 7 | + 31% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 (Dirham 35) | Dirham 13 | + 166% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.08 (Dirham 19) | Dirham 6 | + 194% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 10 (Dirham 48) | Dirham 19 | + 150% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.56 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 9 | + 88% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.46 (Dirham 11) | Dirham 4.55 | + 149% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 2.71 (Dirham 12) | Dirham 9 | + 33% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 19 (Dirham 86) | Dirham 58 | + 46% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 2.89 (Dirham 13) | Dirham 8 | + 72% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.49 (Dirham 12) | Dirham 4.85 | + 137% | |
| Housing | + 18% | |||
| Housing in Switzerland is 18% more expensive than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| Switzerland | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,456 (Dirham 15,940) | Dirham 14,554 | + 10% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,376 (Dirham 10,956) | Dirham 9,154 | + 20% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 223 (Dirham 1,030) | Dirham 721 | + 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 2,311 (Dirham 10,657) | Dirham 8,038 | + 33% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,662 (Dirham 7,664) | Dirham 5,394 | + 42% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 154 (Dirham 709) | Dirham 580 | + 22% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 37 (Dirham 172) | Dirham 324 | - 47% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 329 (Dirham 1,518) | Dirham 811 | + 87% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 148 (Dirham 684) | Dirham 342 | + 100% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 19 (Dirham 89) | Dirham 37 | + 140% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 28 (Dirham 127) | Dirham 29 | + 333% | |
| Clothes | + 43% | |||
| Clothes in Switzerland is 43% more expensive than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| Switzerland | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 107 (Dirham 493) | Dirham 269 | + 84% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 50 (Dirham 229) | Dirham 217 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 134 (Dirham 620) | Dirham 397 | + 56% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 170 (Dirham 782) | Dirham 419 | + 86% | |
| Transportation | + 47% | |||
| Transportation in Switzerland is 47% more expensive than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| Switzerland | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 29,589 (Dirham 136,468) | Dirham 96,151 | + 42% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.80 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 2.88 | + 187% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 80 (Dirham 370) | Dirham 270 | + 37% | |
| Personal Care | + 44% | |||
| Personal Care in Switzerland is 44% more expensive than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| Switzerland | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 12 (Dirham 56) | Dirham 23 | + 141% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 18 (Dirham 83) | Dirham 99 | - 16% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 105 (Dirham 483) | Dirham 310 | + 56% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.34 (Dirham 25) | Dirham 21 | + 16% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 5.10 (Dirham 24) | Dirham 22 | + 9% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 5.10 (Dirham 24) | Dirham 22 | + 7% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 4.57 (Dirham 21) | Dirham 11 | + 94% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.94 (Dirham 18) | Dirham 16 | + 15% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 47 (Dirham 218) | Dirham 41 | + 431% | |
| Entertainment | + 53% | |||
| Entertainment in Switzerland is 53% more expensive than in United Arab Emirates | ||||
| Switzerland | United Arab Emirates | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 76 (Dirham 349) | Dirham 155 | + 125% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 38 (Dirham 176) | Dirham 97 | + 82% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 141 (Dirham 649) | Dirham 484 | + 34% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 123 (Dirham 568) | Dirham 288 | + 97% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 17 (Dirham 80) | Dirham 78 | + 4% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.65 (Dirham 26) | Dirham 22 | + 17% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 8 (Dirham 36) | Dirham 45 | - 21% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 497 (Dirham 2,291) | Dirham 2,094 | + 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.59 (Dirham 2.71) | Dirham 1.78 | + 53% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 89 (Dirham 412) | Dirham 317 | + 30% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 (Dirham 42) | Dirham 22 | + 94% | |
| TOTAL | + 45% | |||
These prices were last updated on July 14, 2025.
Exchange rate:
4.612
AED
/
CHF
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,470 prices entered by 246 different people.
Cost of living in Switzerland is 45% more expensive than in United Arab Emirates
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