Cost of Living in Aarau - Updated Prices & Insights

123.22

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,715 (excluding rent), and $3,045 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,318 (excluding rent), and $6,688 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$29.65 CHF 24.11

$22.23 CHF 18.08

$43.24 CHF 35.16

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$106 CHF 86.4

$97.1 CHF 79

$243 CHF 197

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$19.29 CHF 15.68

$18.67 CHF 15.18

$21.16 CHF 17.2

Cappuccino

$6.44 CHF 5.24

$5.2 CHF 4.23

$7.43 CHF 6.04

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.4 CHF 2.76

$2.08 CHF 1.69

$6.14 CHF 4.99

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.92 CHF 4

$3.69 CHF 3

$6.14 CHF 5

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.93 CHF 6.45

$3.66 CHF 2.98

$12.2 CHF 9.92

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.47 CHF 6.07

$6.23 CHF 5.06

$12.45 CHF 10.12

Milk (1 liter)

$2.15 CHF 1.74

$1.73 CHF 1.41

$2.48 CHF 2.01

White Bread (500g)

$3.29 CHF 2.68

$1.47 CHF 1.2

$6.12 CHF 4.98

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.42 CHF 1.97

$1.45 CHF 1.18

$6.03 CHF 4.9

Eggs

$6.82 CHF 5.55

$3.82 CHF 3.11

$11.66 CHF 9.48

Local Cheese (1kg)

$29.29 CHF 23.82

$9.94 CHF 8.08

$43.45 CHF 35.33

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$35.32 CHF 28.72

$24.19 CHF 19.67

$48.39 CHF 39.34

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$44.04 CHF 35.81

$41.61 CHF 33.83

$51.6 CHF 41.92

Apples (1kg)

$2.85 CHF 2.31

$2.47 CHF 2.01

$5.57 CHF 4.53

Banana (1kg)

$2.17 CHF 1.77

$1.65 CHF 1.34

$3.81 CHF 3.1

Oranges (1kg)

$2.74 CHF 2.22

$1.81 CHF 1.47

$5.96 CHF 4.85

Tomato (1kg)

$5.68 CHF 4.62

$2.26 CHF 1.84

$9.6 CHF 7.8

Potato (1kg)

$2.35 CHF 1.91

$1.52 CHF 1.24

$5.08 CHF 4.13

Onion (1kg)

$2 CHF 1.63

$1.82 CHF 1.48

$3.4 CHF 2.76

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.6 CHF 2.11

$2.38 CHF 1.94

$3.77 CHF 3.06

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.46 CHF 1.19

$0.61 CHF 0.49

$2.41 CHF 1.96

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.33 CHF 8.4

$9.97 CHF 8.11

$24.32 CHF 19.77

Wine (Bottle)

$15.38 CHF 12.51

$10.46 CHF 8.5

$24.61 CHF 20.01

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.29 CHF 1.87

$1.86 CHF 1.51

$6.2 CHF 5.04

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.25 CHF 1.83

$7.48 CHF 6.08

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.37 CHF 3.55

$3.38 CHF 2.74

$6.25 CHF 5.08

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$149 CHF 121

$62.7 CHF 50.9

$149 CHF 121

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$8.45 CHF 6.87

$7.01 CHF 5.7

$14.48 CHF 11.77

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$5.45 CHF 4.43

$5.01 CHF 4.07

$5.45 CHF 4.43

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$86.2 CHF 70.1

$84.4 CHF 68.6

$88.1 CHF 71.6

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.14 CHF 1.74

$1.88 CHF 1.53

$2.42 CHF 1.97

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$40.5K CHF 33K

$49.4K CHF 40.2K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$41.6K CHF 33.8K

$34.1K CHF 27.7K

$63.2K CHF 51.4K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$246 CHF 200

$185 CHF 150

$433 CHF 352

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$41.87 CHF 34.04

$28.99 CHF 23.57

$83.3 CHF 67.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.1 CHF 48.85

$50.1 CHF 40.71

$81.4 CHF 66.2

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$65.9 CHF 53.6

$40.33 CHF 32.79

$109 CHF 88.5

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$41.19 CHF 33.49

Cinema Ticket

$23.23 CHF 18.89

$19.56 CHF 15.9

$30.56 CHF 24.85

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$3,259 CHF 2,650

$3,134 CHF 2,548

$5,014 CHF 4,077

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$25K CHF 20.4K

$73.9K CHF 60.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$91.3 CHF 74.3

$54.8 CHF 44.56

$146 CHF 119

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.3 CHF 44.18

$37.22 CHF 30.26

$86.8 CHF 70.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$113 CHF 91.6

$100 CHF 81.4

$188 CHF 153

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$174 CHF 142

$124 CHF 101

$310 CHF 252

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,318 CHF 1,072

$1,130 CHF 919

$1,632 CHF 1,327

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,057 CHF 859

$870 CHF 708

$1,368 CHF 1,112

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,470 CHF 2,008

$2,113 CHF 1,718

$3,231 CHF 2,627

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,093 CHF 1,702

$1,773 CHF 1,441

$2,689 CHF 2,187

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$10.4K CHF 8,454

$7,516 CHF 6,111

$13K CHF 10.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$12.1K CHF 9,849

$5,208 CHF 4,235

$12.1K CHF 9,849

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,933 CHF 5,637

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.5

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

City tags:

🇪🇺 Europe

Cost of Living in Aarau - Frequently Asked Questions

Overall, Aarau offers a favorable balance for travelers, expats, and digital nomads: you’ll enjoy reliable public transport, a compact, walkable city center, and services that feel solid without the price tag of Switzerland’s bigger hubs. Housing ranges from efficient city flats to calmer suburbs, with rents generally more approachable than Zurich or Geneva and energy costs aligned with the Swiss baseline. Cost of Living in Aarau signals a steadier, more predictable budget pattern – calibrated by seasons and local choices rather than extreme swings. Tip: Plan ahead with a transit pass and smart meal planning to stretch your budget.

Daily life in Aarau centers on a reliable transport network, compact neighborhoods, and a mix of café culture and groceries within easy reach. Housing search tends to favor central, well-connected districts or calmer suburbs with easy rail links. Food options range from bakery staples to seasonal produce markets; cooking at home often keeps costs down, while occasional meals out celebrate quality Swiss ingredients. For errands, the town’s scheduling and services are predictable, with shops more concentrated around the old town and station. Aarau living cost tends to sit in the mid-range for the country. Tip: Start with local portals and plan several visit days to compare neighborhoods.

Quality of life in Aarau hinges on a safe, clean environment, easy access to nature along the Aare, and a small-town feel with cultural amenities nearby. A practical budgeting framework starts with housing and transit, then allocates funds for groceries, dining, and activities, adjusting for shoulder seasons. To save, consider long-term train passes, local markets, and shared workspaces outside peak hours. Neighborhood fit matters: central Altstadt puts you steps from cafés and history, while leafy suburbs offer space and quiet. Seasonal shifts influence outdoor plans, festivals, and crowd levels. Tip: map your week around transit schedules to minimize backtracking.