Cost of Living in Basel - Updated Prices & Insights

140.08

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,852 (excluding rent), and $3,665 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,931 (excluding rent), and $7,826 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$31.06 CHF 25.26

$24.85 CHF 20.21

$46.59 CHF 37.88

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$155 CHF 126

$93.2 CHF 75.8

$210 CHF 171

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$19.9 CHF 16.18

$18.66 CHF 15.17

$22.39 CHF 18.2

Cappuccino

$6.89 CHF 5.61

$4.97 CHF 4.04

$9.94 CHF 8.08

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

$5.75 CHF 4.67

$3.78 CHF 3.08

$7.56 CHF 6.14

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.03 CHF 4.09

$3.64 CHF 2.96

$6.06 CHF 4.93

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.9 CHF 8.05

$6.19 CHF 5.03

$11.6 CHF 9.43

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.71 CHF 6.27

$6.32 CHF 5.14

$10.12 CHF 8.23

Milk (1 liter)

$2.15 CHF 1.75

$1.56 CHF 1.27

$2.4 CHF 1.95

White Bread (500g)

$3.7 CHF 3.01

$1.44 CHF 1.17

$4.79 CHF 3.89

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.11 CHF 4.15

$3.11 CHF 2.53

$6.23 CHF 5.07

Eggs

$8.13 CHF 6.61

$4.99 CHF 4.06

$12.1 CHF 9.84

Local Cheese (1kg)

$28.6 CHF 23.25

$19.65 CHF 15.97

$42.98 CHF 34.95

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$35.97 CHF 29.24

$18.14 CHF 14.75

$42.32 CHF 34.41

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$43.38 CHF 35.28

$24.32 CHF 19.77

$54.7 CHF 44.49

Apples (1kg)

$3.96 CHF 3.22

$2.48 CHF 2.02

$4.97 CHF 4.04

Banana (1kg)

$2.72 CHF 2.21

$1.62 CHF 1.32

$4.37 CHF 3.56

Oranges (1kg)

$4.1 CHF 3.33

$1.83 CHF 1.49

$6.72 CHF 5.47

Tomato (1kg)

$7.1 CHF 5.77

$3.78 CHF 3.08

$9.95 CHF 8.09

Potato (1kg)

$3.13 CHF 2.54

$1.45 CHF 1.18

$4.82 CHF 3.92

Onion (1kg)

$2.82 CHF 2.29

$1.8 CHF 1.46

$3.6 CHF 2.93

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.63 CHF 2.14

$2.49 CHF 2.03

$3.12 CHF 2.54

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.55 CHF 1.26

$0.75 CHF 0.61

$2.49 CHF 2.02

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.56 CHF 9.4

$10.34 CHF 8.41

$13.39 CHF 10.88

Wine (Bottle)

$15.05 CHF 12.24

$10.66 CHF 8.67

$21.95 CHF 17.85

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 CHF 1.99

$1.89 CHF 1.54

$2.51 CHF 2.04

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.07 CHF 2.49

$1.23 CHF 1

$5.52 CHF 4.49

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.74 CHF 3.86

$4.25 CHF 3.45

$5.49 CHF 4.47

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$104 CHF 84.9

$97.1 CHF 79

$127 CHF 104

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$8.13 CHF 6.61

$7.5 CHF 6.1

$8.13 CHF 6.61

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.34 CHF 3.53

$4.68 CHF 3.81

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$86.5 CHF 70.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.2 CHF 1.79

$2.15 CHF 1.74

$2.26 CHF 1.83

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

$39.9K CHF 32.4K

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

$44.8K CHF 36.4K

$36.6K CHF 29.8K

$48.9K CHF 39.7K

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

$299 CHF 243

$188 CHF 153

$371 CHF 302

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

$53.2 CHF 43.28

$24.25 CHF 19.71

$83.6 CHF 68

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.4 CHF 49.08

$43.73 CHF 35.56

$100 CHF 81.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$88.7 CHF 72.1

$54.5 CHF 44.34

$133 CHF 108

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$41.07 CHF 33.4

$18.12 CHF 14.73

$54.4 CHF 44.2

Cinema Ticket

$23.06 CHF 18.75

$18.7 CHF 15.21

$28.67 CHF 23.31

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

$2,533 CHF 2,060

$1,938 CHF 1,576

$3,028 CHF 2,462

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$33.9K CHF 27.6K

$30.3K CHF 24.6K

$43.6K CHF 35.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$131 CHF 107

$84.6 CHF 68.8

$168 CHF 137

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$87.8 CHF 71.4

$60.2 CHF 48.91

$111 CHF 89.8

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$177 CHF 144

$110 CHF 89.7

$245 CHF 199

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$226 CHF 184

$121 CHF 98.5

$303 CHF 246

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,104 CHF 1,711

$1,729 CHF 1,405

$3,087 CHF 2,510

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,468 CHF 1,194

$1,213 CHF 986

$1,940 CHF 1,577

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,758 CHF 3,055

$3,068 CHF 2,494

$5,031 CHF 4,091

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,804 CHF 2,280

$2,374 CHF 1,930

$3,652 CHF 2,969

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$14.9K CHF 12.1K

$11.5K CHF 9,360

$27.5K CHF 22.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$14.2K CHF 11.6K

$10.8K CHF 8,811

$18.8K CHF 15.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$8,093 CHF 6,581

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.55

2.5

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

City tags:

🇪🇺 Europe

Cost of Living in Basel - Frequently Asked Questions

Basel sits among Switzerland's high-cost cities, yet you can find value with thoughtful choices. Travelers, expats, and digital nomads often appreciate efficient services, safety, and quality healthcare that justify higher prices in certain areas. Housing is the main driver of expense, with core neighborhoods commanding premium while peripheral districts offer more room to be comfortable on a moderate budget. Cost of Living in Basel is influenced by housing type, length of stay, and lifestyle choices. If you plan ahead, you can balance costs by selecting longer-term stays in residential districts and using public transit. Tip: Consider transit passes and seasonal shopping to stabilize costs.

Daily life in Basel blends efficiency with a cosmopolitan vibe. Housing options range from compact city flats in Altstadt to larger apartments in Gundeldingen or Wettstein, with leases favoring longer terms and solid references. For groceries you’ll find well-stocked supermarkets and frequent markets; prices vary by neighborhood. Transit runs superbly – trams, buses, and bike lanes connect the core to outlying areas, and a monthly pass helps budgeting. Co-working spaces are common for remote work, with flexible desks near central hubs. Errands are straightforward, but language and seasonal openings shape a quick rhythm. Basel living cost is noticeable in core districts and can shift with the season. Tip: Plan your week around market days and transit schedules to save time and money.

Quality of life in Basel blends cultural access, compact urban living, and easy access to the Rhine. A practical budgeting framework centers on housing, transit, and groceries, then adds leisure and healthcare as fixed anchors. Use a simple monthly plan: lock a stable rent, allocate a transit budget, and reserve a buffer for meals and outings. Seasonal shifts show in the Rhine's riverside spots and outdoor markets that change with weather; winter warmth and summer shade balance daily routines. To find your fit, walk and ride through Kleinbasel for a livelier vibe, or settle near the Rhine for walkability and cafes. Tip: build a flexible plan that scales with shorter stays.