Cost of Living in Aarau - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,786 (excluding rent), and $2,991 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $3,710 (excluding rent), and $6,545 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$29.52 CHF 23.70

$22.13 CHF 17.77

$43.05 CHF 34.57

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$109 CHF 87.7

$99.8 CHF 80.2

$250 CHF 200

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$19.13 CHF 15.36

$18.52 CHF 14.87

$20.98 CHF 16.85

Cappuccino

$6.29 CHF 5.05

$5.07 CHF 4.07

$7.25 CHF 5.82

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

$3.33 CHF 2.68

$2.04 CHF 1.64

$6.02 CHF 4.84

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.81 CHF 3.86

$3.61 CHF 2.90

$6.00 CHF 4.82

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.20 CHF 6.58

$3.79 CHF 3.04

$12.61 CHF 10.12

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.41 CHF 5.95

$6.18 CHF 4.96

$12.36 CHF 9.92

Milk (1 liter)

$2.09 CHF 1.68

$1.69 CHF 1.35

$2.41 CHF 1.94

White Bread (500g)

$3.30 CHF 2.65

$1.48 CHF 1.18

$6.14 CHF 4.93

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.53 CHF 2.03

$1.52 CHF 1.22

$6.31 CHF 5.07

Eggs

$6.82 CHF 5.47

$3.82 CHF 3.07

$11.65 CHF 9.36

Local Cheese (1kg)

$29.28 CHF 23.51

$9.93 CHF 7.98

$43.43 CHF 34.88

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$36.67 CHF 29.44

$25.12 CHF 20.17

$50.2 CHF 40.34

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$43.79 CHF 35.17

$41.38 CHF 33.23

$51.3 CHF 41.17

Apples (1kg)

$2.80 CHF 2.25

$2.43 CHF 1.95

$5.48 CHF 4.40

Banana (1kg)

$2.08 CHF 1.67

$1.58 CHF 1.27

$3.65 CHF 2.93

Oranges (1kg)

$2.72 CHF 2.18

$1.80 CHF 1.44

$5.93 CHF 4.76

Tomato (1kg)

$5.78 CHF 4.64

$2.30 CHF 1.84

$9.76 CHF 7.84

Potato (1kg)

$2.29 CHF 1.84

$1.49 CHF 1.20

$4.96 CHF 3.98

Onion (1kg)

$2.06 CHF 1.66

$1.88 CHF 1.51

$3.50 CHF 2.81

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.59 CHF 2.08

$2.38 CHF 1.91

$3.76 CHF 3.02

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.46 CHF 1.17

$0.61 CHF 0.49

$2.40 CHF 1.93

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.51 CHF 8.44

$10.14 CHF 8.14

$24.74 CHF 19.87

Wine (Bottle)

$10.61 CHF 8.52

$6.24 CHF 5.01

$24.95 CHF 20.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.35 CHF 1.88

$1.90 CHF 1.53

$6.34 CHF 5.09

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.24 CHF 1.80

$7.46 CHF 5.99

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.21 CHF 3.38

$3.25 CHF 2.61

$6.01 CHF 4.83

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$145 CHF 117

$61.2 CHF 49.12

$145 CHF 117

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$8.47 CHF 6.80

$7.03 CHF 5.64

$14.53 CHF 11.67

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$5.50 CHF 4.41

$5.05 CHF 4.06

$5.50 CHF 4.41

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$88.6 CHF 71.1

$86.7 CHF 69.6

$90.5 CHF 72.6

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.19 CHF 1.76

$1.93 CHF 1.55

$2.49 CHF 2.00

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

$40.7K CHF 32.7K

$49.7K CHF 39.9K

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

$42.1K CHF 33.8K

$34.5K CHF 27.7K

$64.0K CHF 51.4K

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

$244 CHF 196

$183 CHF 147

$429 CHF 345

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

$42.43 CHF 34.07

$29.37 CHF 23.59

$84.4 CHF 67.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$58.2 CHF 46.70

$48.47 CHF 38.92

$78.8 CHF 63.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$67.8 CHF 54.4

$41.50 CHF 33.33

$112 CHF 90.0

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$42.55 CHF 34.17

Cinema Ticket

$23.70 CHF 19.03

$19.96 CHF 16.02

$31.18 CHF 25.04

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

$3,214 CHF 2,581

$3,091 CHF 2,482

$4,945 CHF 3,971

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$25.4K CHF 20.4K

$74.9K CHF 60.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$94.0 CHF 75.5

$56.4 CHF 45.29

$150 CHF 121

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.0 CHF 44.16

$37.66 CHF 30.24

$87.9 CHF 70.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$110 CHF 88.6

$98.1 CHF 78.8

$184 CHF 148

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$174 CHF 140

$124 CHF 99.9

$310 CHF 249

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,274 CHF 1,023

$1,092 CHF 877

$1,577 CHF 1,267

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,067 CHF 857

$879 CHF 706

$1,381 CHF 1,109

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,458 CHF 1,973

$2,102 CHF 1,688

$3,215 CHF 2,582

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,112 CHF 1,696

$1,788 CHF 1,436

$2,713 CHF 2,179

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$10.4K CHF 8,360

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$12.5K CHF 10.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,088 CHF 5,692

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.5

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

Last update: January 12, 2026

Aarau Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

121

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

367

Mbps

139

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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.