Cost of Living in Aarau - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,591 (excluding rent), and $3,025 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,016 (excluding rent), and $6,616 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$29.36 CHF 22.99

$22.02 CHF 17.24

$42.82 CHF 33.53

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$108 CHF 84.3

$98.4 CHF 77.1

$246 CHF 193

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$18.94 CHF 14.83

$18.34 CHF 14.36

$20.78 CHF 16.27

Cappuccino

$6.36 CHF 4.98

$5.13 CHF 4.02

$7.33 CHF 5.74

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

$3.39 CHF 2.66

$2.08 CHF 1.63

$6.13 CHF 4.80

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.91 CHF 3.84

$3.68 CHF 2.88

$6.13 CHF 4.80

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.17 CHF 6.40

$3.77 CHF 2.96

$12.57 CHF 9.84

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.58 CHF 5.93

$6.32 CHF 4.95

$12.63 CHF 9.89

Milk (1 liter)

$2.11 CHF 1.66

$1.71 CHF 1.34

$2.44 CHF 1.91

White Bread (500g)

$3.24 CHF 2.54

$1.45 CHF 1.14

$6.03 CHF 4.73

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.54 CHF 1.99

$1.52 CHF 1.19

$6.33 CHF 4.95

Eggs

$6.99 CHF 5.48

$3.92 CHF 3.07

$11.95 CHF 9.36

Local Cheese (1kg)

$28.81 CHF 22.56

$9.77 CHF 7.65

$42.73 CHF 33.46

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$36.19 CHF 28.33

$24.79 CHF 19.41

$49.58 CHF 38.82

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$43.42 CHF 34.00

$41.03 CHF 32.12

$50.8 CHF 39.80

Apples (1kg)

$2.78 CHF 2.18

$2.42 CHF 1.89

$5.44 CHF 4.26

Banana (1kg)

$2.13 CHF 1.66

$1.61 CHF 1.26

$3.73 CHF 2.92

Oranges (1kg)

$2.79 CHF 2.18

$1.84 CHF 1.44

$6.07 CHF 4.75

Tomato (1kg)

$5.81 CHF 4.55

$2.31 CHF 1.81

$9.81 CHF 7.68

Potato (1kg)

$2.27 CHF 1.78

$1.47 CHF 1.15

$4.90 CHF 3.84

Onion (1kg)

$2.08 CHF 1.63

$1.90 CHF 1.49

$3.54 CHF 2.77

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.49 CHF 1.95

$2.29 CHF 1.79

$3.62 CHF 2.83

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.52 CHF 1.19

$0.63 CHF 0.49

$2.51 CHF 1.96

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.64 CHF 8.33

$10.27 CHF 8.04

$25.05 CHF 19.61

Wine (Bottle)

$10.76 CHF 8.43

$6.33 CHF 4.96

$22.79 CHF 17.85

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.31 CHF 1.81

$1.87 CHF 1.47

$6.24 CHF 4.89

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.24 CHF 1.75

$7.45 CHF 5.83

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.42 CHF 3.46

$3.42 CHF 2.68

$6.32 CHF 4.95

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$150 CHF 117

$63.1 CHF 49.40

$150 CHF 117

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$8.59 CHF 6.73

$7.13 CHF 5.58

$14.74 CHF 11.54

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$5.68 CHF 4.45

$5.22 CHF 4.09

$5.68 CHF 4.45

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$86.7 CHF 67.9

$84.8 CHF 66.4

$88.5 CHF 69.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.12 CHF 1.66

$1.87 CHF 1.46

$2.41 CHF 1.88

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

$39.8K CHF 31.2K

$48.5K CHF 38.0K

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

$42.9K CHF 33.6K

$35.1K CHF 27.5K

$65.2K CHF 51.1K

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

$247 CHF 194

$185 CHF 145

$435 CHF 341

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

$42.47 CHF 33.25

$29.40 CHF 23.02

$84.5 CHF 66.2

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$59.8 CHF 46.83

$49.84 CHF 39.03

$81.0 CHF 63.4

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$68.2 CHF 53.4

$41.77 CHF 32.70

$113 CHF 88.3

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$42.19 CHF 33.04

Cinema Ticket

$23.31 CHF 18.25

$19.62 CHF 15.37

$30.67 CHF 24.01

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

$3,167 CHF 2,480

$3,046 CHF 2,385

$4,873 CHF 3,816

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$25.0K CHF 19.6K

$73.8K CHF 57.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$94.2 CHF 73.8

$56.5 CHF 44.27

$151 CHF 118

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.8 CHF 42.16

$36.88 CHF 28.88

$86.0 CHF 67.4

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$110 CHF 86.2

$97.8 CHF 76.6

$183 CHF 144

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$174 CHF 137

$125 CHF 97.6

$310 CHF 243

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,289 CHF 1,009

$1,105 CHF 865

$1,596 CHF 1,250

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,057 CHF 828

$870 CHF 682

$1,368 CHF 1,071

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,455 CHF 1,922

$2,100 CHF 1,644

$3,211 CHF 2,514

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,072 CHF 1,622

$1,754 CHF 1,374

$2,661 CHF 2,084

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$10.4K CHF 8,177

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$12.5K CHF 9,804

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,145 CHF 5,594

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.5

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

Last update: April 13, 2026

Aarau Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

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.