Cost of Living in Aarau - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,970 (excluding rent), and $3,003 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,710 (excluding rent), and $6,731 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$29.18 CHF 23.40

$21.88 CHF 17.54

$42.55 CHF 34.12

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$106 CHF 85.0

$96.8 CHF 77.7

$242 CHF 194

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$18.86 CHF 15.13

$18.26 CHF 14.64

$20.69 CHF 16.59

Cappuccino

$6.30 CHF 5.06

$5.08 CHF 4.08

$7.27 CHF 5.83

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

$3.34 CHF 2.68

$2.05 CHF 1.64

$6.03 CHF 4.84

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.87 CHF 3.91

$3.65 CHF 2.93

$6.08 CHF 4.88

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.93 CHF 6.36

$3.66 CHF 2.94

$12.19 CHF 9.78

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.43 CHF 5.96

$6.20 CHF 4.97

$12.39 CHF 9.94

Milk (1 liter)

$2.15 CHF 1.73

$1.74 CHF 1.39

$2.49 CHF 1.99

White Bread (500g)

$3.22 CHF 2.59

$1.44 CHF 1.16

$6.00 CHF 4.81

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.49 CHF 2.00

$1.49 CHF 1.20

$6.22 CHF 4.99

Eggs

$6.95 CHF 5.58

$3.90 CHF 3.13

$11.89 CHF 9.53

Local Cheese (1kg)

$28.61 CHF 22.95

$9.71 CHF 7.78

$42.44 CHF 34.04

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$36.35 CHF 29.16

$24.90 CHF 19.97

$49.80 CHF 39.94

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$43.92 CHF 35.22

$41.49 CHF 33.28

$51.4 CHF 41.23

Apples (1kg)

$2.88 CHF 2.31

$2.51 CHF 2.01

$5.64 CHF 4.52

Banana (1kg)

$2.13 CHF 1.71

$1.61 CHF 1.29

$3.73 CHF 2.99

Oranges (1kg)

$2.88 CHF 2.31

$1.90 CHF 1.53

$6.28 CHF 5.03

Tomato (1kg)

$5.68 CHF 4.55

$2.26 CHF 1.81

$9.59 CHF 7.69

Potato (1kg)

$2.23 CHF 1.79

$1.45 CHF 1.16

$4.83 CHF 3.87

Onion (1kg)

$1.99 CHF 1.59

$1.81 CHF 1.45

$3.38 CHF 2.71

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.61 CHF 2.10

$2.40 CHF 1.92

$3.79 CHF 3.04

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.47 CHF 1.18

$0.61 CHF 0.49

$2.43 CHF 1.95

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.60 CHF 8.50

$10.23 CHF 8.20

$24.95 CHF 20.01

Wine (Bottle)

$17.00 CHF 13.64

$10.27 CHF 8.23

$25.66 CHF 20.58

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.22 CHF 1.78

$1.81 CHF 1.45

$6.01 CHF 4.82

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 CHF 1.75

$7.24 CHF 5.81

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.43 CHF 3.56

$3.43 CHF 2.75

$6.34 CHF 5.08

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$148 CHF 118

$62.1 CHF 49.81

$148 CHF 118

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$8.75 CHF 7.01

$7.25 CHF 5.82

$14.99 CHF 12.03

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$5.60 CHF 4.49

$5.14 CHF 4.12

$5.60 CHF 4.49

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$88.1 CHF 70.6

$86.2 CHF 69.1

$89.9 CHF 72.1

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.20 CHF 1.77

$1.94 CHF 1.56

$2.50 CHF 2.00

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

$40.8K CHF 32.7K

$49.7K CHF 39.9K

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

$42.7K CHF 34.2K

$35.0K CHF 28.0K

$64.9K CHF 52.1K

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

$250 CHF 200

$187 CHF 150

$439 CHF 352

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

$41.96 CHF 33.65

$29.05 CHF 23.30

$83.5 CHF 67.0

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$59.6 CHF 47.82

$49.69 CHF 39.85

$80.7 CHF 64.8

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$67.8 CHF 54.4

$41.50 CHF 33.28

$112 CHF 89.9

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$41.41 CHF 33.21

Cinema Ticket

$23.29 CHF 18.68

$19.61 CHF 15.73

$30.65 CHF 24.58

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

$3,206 CHF 2,571

$3,083 CHF 2,472

$4,933 CHF 3,956

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$25.3K CHF 20.3K

$74.8K CHF 60.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$91.3 CHF 73.2

$54.8 CHF 43.95

$146 CHF 117

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.2 CHF 42.66

$36.43 CHF 29.22

$85.0 CHF 68.2

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$113 CHF 90.4

$100 CHF 80.4

$188 CHF 151

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$173 CHF 139

$124 CHF 99.1

$308 CHF 247

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,292 CHF 1,037

$1,108 CHF 888

$1,600 CHF 1,283

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,059 CHF 849

$872 CHF 699

$1,370 CHF 1,099

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,460 CHF 1,973

$2,104 CHF 1,688

$3,219 CHF 2,581

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,118 CHF 1,699

$1,794 CHF 1,439

$2,722 CHF 2,183

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$10.7K CHF 8,570

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$12.5K CHF 9,986

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,235 CHF 5,802

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 6, 2026

Aarau Median Internet Speeds (Updated September 2025)

Mobile

154.02

Mbps

23.89

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

319.94

Mbps

110.65

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.