Cost of living in Switzerland compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 39% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Switzerland is 39% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Switzerland | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 26 ($28) | $19 | + 52% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 15 ($17) | $10 | + 66% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 12 ($13) | $5.79 | + 132% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.77 ($1.95) | $1.08 | + 80% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 ($9) | $4.95 | + 79% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.44 ($4.88) | $4.69 | + 4% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 11 ($12) | $7 | + 79% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.75 ($4.12) | $4.66 | - 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.41 ($2.65) | $2.49 | + 6% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 1.93 ($2.12) | $3.10 | - 32% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 15 ($16) | $16 | + 2% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 2.53 ($2.79) | $2.78 | + 0% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.69 ($2.96) | $2.98 | - 1% | |
| Housing | + 8% | |||
| Housing in Switzerland is 8% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Switzerland | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,015 ($3,315) | $2,826 | + 17% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,419 ($2,660) | $2,140 | + 24% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 200 ($220) | $221 | - 0% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 1,714 ($1,884) | $1,885 | - 0% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,271 ($1,397) | $1,443 | - 3% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 116 ($128) | $146 | - 13% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 55 ($60) | $64 | - 6% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 472 ($519) | $298 | + 74% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 123 ($135) | $136 | - 1% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 17 ($18) | $13 | + 36% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 34 ($38) | $31 | + 21% | |
| Clothes | + 37% | |||
| Clothes in Switzerland is 37% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Switzerland | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 104 ($115) | $54 | + 113% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 46 ($50) | $45 | + 12% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 117 ($129) | $93 | + 38% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 157 ($173) | $119 | + 45% | |
| Transportation | + 23% | |||
| Transportation in Switzerland is 23% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Switzerland | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 33,459 ($36,786) | $27,899 | + 32% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.97 ($2.16) | $1.05 | + 106% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 81 ($89) | $79 | + 12% | |
| Personal Care | + 29% | |||
| Personal Care in Switzerland is 29% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Switzerland | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 13 ($14) | $8 | + 64% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 26 ($29) | $20 | + 45% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 176 ($193) | $138 | + 40% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.94 ($7) | $8 | - 23% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.18 ($4.60) | $4.80 | - 4% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 5.42 ($5.95) | $6 | - 5% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.13 ($3.45) | $4.72 | - 27% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.28 ($3.60) | $2.25 | + 60% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 55 ($60) | $27 | + 125% | |
| Entertainment | + 38% | |||
| Entertainment in Switzerland is 38% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Switzerland | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 76 ($83) | $55 | + 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 36 ($39) | $28 | + 41% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 85 ($94) | $195 | - 52% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 121 ($133) | $90 | + 49% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 18 ($19) | $14 | + 42% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.01 ($5.51) | $5.21 | + 6% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 7 ($7) | $6 | + 17% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 679 ($746) | $552 | + 35% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.28 ($0.31) | $0.21 | + 49% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 89 ($97) | $54 | + 80% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 ($10) | $10 | - 1% | |
| TOTAL | + 24% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 08, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.099
USD
/
CHF
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 22,656 prices entered by 2,921 different people.
Cost of living in Switzerland is 24% more expensive than in United States
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