Cost of living in Switzerland

Summary of cost of living in Switzerland

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: CHF 7,114
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: CHF 4,223
  • Switzerland is the most expensive country in Western Europe (1 out of 18)
  • Switzerland is the most expensive country in the World (1 out of 66)
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Food
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district CHF 27
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) CHF 16
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast CHF 11
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk CHF 1.81
12 eggs, large CHF 8
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes CHF 4.50
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese CHF 10
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples CHF 4.33
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes CHF 2.27
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket CHF 2.33
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality CHF 13
2 liters of coca-cola CHF 2.87
Bread for 2 people for 1 day CHF 2.35
Housing
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area CHF 3,527
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area CHF 2,866
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat CHF 205
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area CHF 2,179
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area CHF 1,557
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio CHF 94
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) CHF 53
40” flat screen tv CHF 305
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) CHF 116
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) CHF 17
Hourly rate for cleaning help CHF 30
Clothes
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) CHF 111
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) CHF 64
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) CHF 118
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes CHF 184
Transportation
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new CHF 36,492
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas CHF 1.84
Monthly ticket public transport CHF 78
Personal Care
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) CHF 13
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) CHF 26
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) CHF 211
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) CHF 5.94
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) CHF 4.15
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) CHF 7
4 rolls of toilet paper CHF 4.35
Tube of toothpaste CHF 4.98
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city CHF 58
Entertainment
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub CHF 71
2 tickets to the movies CHF 39
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) CHF 101
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert CHF 125
1 cocktail drink in downtown club CHF 17
Cappuccino in expat area of the city CHF 5.21
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) CHF 7
Ipad wi-fi 128gb CHF 434
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) CHF 0.33
1 month of gym membership in business district CHF 88
1 package of marlboro cigarettes CHF 9

Moving to Switzerland with your children?

International Schools in Switzerland

Map of Cost of Living in Switzerland

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This map shows only the top cities in Switzerland. We also have on this page a list of all the cities available in Expatistan:
List of all the cities available in Expatistan

The color of each marker corresponds with the cost of living in the city red markers show more expensive cities green ones show cheaper cities
Moving the mouse on top of a city will show its name and the Cost of Living Index of that city.

What is the Cost of Living Index? To calculate each city's Price Index value, we start by assigning a value of 100 to a central reference city (that happens to be Prague). Once the reference point has been established, the Price Index value of every other city in the database is calculated by comparing their cost of living to the cost of living in Prague.
Therefore, if a city has a Price Index of 134, that means that living there is 34% more expensive than living in Prague.

Cost of Living Ranking in Switzerland

(top cities by data quality)

Ranking City Price Index *
1st Zurich 218
2nd Geneva 208
3rd Basel 199
4th Lausanne 199
5th Lugano 190
6th Bern 189
7th St. Gallen 162

Price Index:

To calculate each city's Price Index value, we start by assigning a value of 100 to a central reference city (that happens to be Prague). Once the reference point has been established, the Price Index value of every other city in the database is calculated by comparing their cost of living to the cost of living in Prague.
Therefore, if a city has a Price Index of 134, that means that living there is 34% more expensive than living in Prague.

Are you moving to Switzerland? Do you know how much money you will need there to maintain your current standard of living?

Find out what is the real equivalent in Switzerl. of your current salary and improve your chances of a happy relocation.

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List of all cities available in Switzerland

Aarau Basel Bern
Geneva Lausanne Lugano
Neuchatel Schaffhausen Sion
St. Gallen Zurich

Prices recently added

  • Utilities (studio), monthly for 1 person in 45 m2 in Basel costs CHF 139 (3 days ago)
  • 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Zurich costs CHF 9 (6 days ago)
  • 1 pack of marlboro cigarettes in Zurich costs CHF 9 (7 days ago)

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