Cost of Living in Aarau - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,667 (excluding rent), and $3,056 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,620 (excluding rent), and $6,591 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$29.45 CHF 23.66

$22.08 CHF 17.74

$42.95 CHF 34.51

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$106 CHF 85.5

$97.3 CHF 78.2

$243 CHF 195

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$19 CHF 15.26

$18.39 CHF 14.78

$20.84 CHF 16.74

Cappuccino

$6.35 CHF 5.1

$5.12 CHF 4.11

$7.32 CHF 5.88

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

$3.46 CHF 2.78

$2.12 CHF 1.7

$6.25 CHF 5.02

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.06 CHF 4.06

$3.8 CHF 3.05

$6.32 CHF 5.08

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.97 CHF 6.41

$3.68 CHF 2.96

$12.27 CHF 9.85

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.42 CHF 5.96

$6.19 CHF 4.97

$12.37 CHF 9.94

Milk (1 liter)

$2.16 CHF 1.74

$1.75 CHF 1.4

$2.5 CHF 2.01

White Bread (500g)

$3.25 CHF 2.61

$1.45 CHF 1.17

$6.04 CHF 4.85

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.44 CHF 1.96

$1.46 CHF 1.17

$6.07 CHF 4.88

Eggs

$6.72 CHF 5.4

$3.77 CHF 3.03

$11.48 CHF 9.22

Local Cheese (1kg)

$29.62 CHF 23.8

$10.05 CHF 8.07

$43.94 CHF 35.3

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$36.27 CHF 29.14

$24.85 CHF 19.96

$49.7 CHF 39.93

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$43.67 CHF 35.09

$41.26 CHF 33.15

$51.1 CHF 41.07

Apples (1kg)

$2.89 CHF 2.33

$2.52 CHF 2.02

$5.67 CHF 4.55

Banana (1kg)

$2.15 CHF 1.73

$1.63 CHF 1.31

$3.77 CHF 3.03

Oranges (1kg)

$2.85 CHF 2.29

$1.88 CHF 1.51

$6.21 CHF 4.99

Tomato (1kg)

$5.65 CHF 4.54

$2.25 CHF 1.8

$9.54 CHF 7.67

Potato (1kg)

$2.23 CHF 1.79

$1.45 CHF 1.16

$4.83 CHF 3.88

Onion (1kg)

$2.07 CHF 1.67

$1.89 CHF 1.52

$3.53 CHF 2.83

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.48 CHF 1.99

$2.28 CHF 1.83

$3.6 CHF 2.89

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.45 CHF 1.17

$0.61 CHF 0.49

$2.4 CHF 1.93

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.32 CHF 8.29

$9.96 CHF 8

$24.29 CHF 19.51

Wine (Bottle)

$16.71 CHF 13.43

$10.73 CHF 8.62

$37.84 CHF 30.4

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.26 CHF 1.82

$1.84 CHF 1.47

$6.11 CHF 4.91

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.24 CHF 1.8

$7.47 CHF 6

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.41 CHF 3.54

$3.41 CHF 2.74

$6.3 CHF 5.06

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$148 CHF 119

$62.1 CHF 49.88

$148 CHF 119

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$8.76 CHF 7.04

$7.26 CHF 5.84

$15.01 CHF 12.06

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$5.61 CHF 4.51

$5.16 CHF 4.14

$5.61 CHF 4.51

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$85.4 CHF 68.6

$83.6 CHF 67.2

$87.2 CHF 70.1

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.14 CHF 1.72

$1.89 CHF 1.51

$2.43 CHF 1.95

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

$39.9K CHF 32.1K

$48.7K CHF 39.1K

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

$42.9K CHF 34.5K

$35.2K CHF 28.2K

$65.3K CHF 52.5K

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

$243 CHF 195

$182 CHF 146

$427 CHF 343

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

$43.09 CHF 34.62

$29.83 CHF 23.97

$85.8 CHF 68.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$58.6 CHF 47.1

$48.86 CHF 39.25

$79.4 CHF 63.8

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$67.8 CHF 54.5

$41.52 CHF 33.36

$112 CHF 90.1

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$41.25 CHF 33.14

Cinema Ticket

$23.85 CHF 19.16

$20.08 CHF 16.13

$31.37 CHF 25.2

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

$3,256 CHF 2,616

$3,131 CHF 2,515

$5,009 CHF 4,024

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$25.5K CHF 20.5K

$75.3K CHF 60.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$91.1 CHF 73.2

$54.6 CHF 43.9

$146 CHF 117

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.8 CHF 44.04

$37.55 CHF 30.17

$87.6 CHF 70.4

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$112 CHF 89.9

$99.5 CHF 79.9

$186 CHF 150

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$174 CHF 140

$125 CHF 100

$310 CHF 249

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,316 CHF 1,058

$1,128 CHF 907

$1,630 CHF 1,309

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,026 CHF 825

$845 CHF 679

$1,328 CHF 1,067

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,428 CHF 1,951

$2,077 CHF 1,669

$3,176 CHF 2,552

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,078 CHF 1,669

$1,759 CHF 1,413

$2,669 CHF 2,144

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$10.4K CHF 8,387

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$12.5K CHF 10K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,086 CHF 5,693

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.5

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

Last update: November 24, 2025

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.