Cost of Living in Basel - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,840 (excluding rent), and $3,726 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,832 (excluding rent), and $7,957 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.64 CHF 24.61

$24.52 CHF 19.69

$45.97 CHF 36.91

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$155 CHF 124

$92.9 CHF 74.6

$209 CHF 168

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$20.06 CHF 16.11

$18.81 CHF 15.10

$22.57 CHF 18.12

Cappuccino

$6.82 CHF 5.48

$4.91 CHF 3.95

$9.83 CHF 7.89

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

$5.77 CHF 4.64

$3.80 CHF 3.05

$7.59 CHF 6.10

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.11 CHF 4.10

$3.69 CHF 2.96

$6.14 CHF 4.93

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.97 CHF 8.01

$6.23 CHF 5.00

$11.68 CHF 9.38

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.40 CHF 5.94

$6.07 CHF 4.87

$9.71 CHF 7.80

Milk (1 liter)

$2.15 CHF 1.73

$1.56 CHF 1.26

$2.40 CHF 1.93

White Bread (500g)

$3.87 CHF 3.11

$1.50 CHF 1.21

$5.01 CHF 4.02

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.15 CHF 4.13

$3.14 CHF 2.52

$6.28 CHF 5.04

Eggs

$7.90 CHF 6.34

$4.85 CHF 3.89

$11.76 CHF 9.44

Local Cheese (1kg)

$28.62 CHF 22.98

$19.66 CHF 15.79

$43.02 CHF 34.54

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$36.22 CHF 29.08

$18.26 CHF 14.67

$42.61 CHF 34.22

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$43.52 CHF 34.95

$24.39 CHF 19.59

$54.9 CHF 44.08

Apples (1kg)

$3.85 CHF 3.09

$2.42 CHF 1.94

$4.85 CHF 3.89

Banana (1kg)

$2.63 CHF 2.11

$1.57 CHF 1.26

$4.23 CHF 3.40

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 CHF 3.40

$1.90 CHF 1.52

$6.96 CHF 5.59

Tomato (1kg)

$6.77 CHF 5.44

$3.61 CHF 2.90

$9.49 CHF 7.62

Potato (1kg)

$3.19 CHF 2.56

$1.47 CHF 1.18

$4.91 CHF 3.94

Onion (1kg)

$2.83 CHF 2.27

$1.80 CHF 1.45

$3.61 CHF 2.89

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.57 CHF 2.07

$2.44 CHF 1.96

$3.06 CHF 2.46

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.49 CHF 1.20

$0.72 CHF 0.58

$2.40 CHF 1.93

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.57 CHF 9.29

$10.35 CHF 8.31

$13.40 CHF 10.76

Wine (Bottle)

$14.93 CHF 11.99

$10.61 CHF 8.52

$21.84 CHF 17.54

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.44 CHF 1.96

$1.88 CHF 1.51

$2.51 CHF 2.01

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.01 CHF 2.42

$1.20 CHF 0.97

$5.42 CHF 4.35

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.62 CHF 3.71

$4.13 CHF 3.32

$5.35 CHF 4.29

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$108 CHF 86.8

$100 CHF 80.7

$132 CHF 106

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$8.03 CHF 6.45

$7.41 CHF 5.95

$8.03 CHF 6.45

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.28 CHF 3.44

$4.62 CHF 3.71

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$85.4 CHF 68.6

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.24 CHF 1.80

$2.19 CHF 1.75

$2.30 CHF 1.85

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

$40.7K CHF 32.7K

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

$45.7K CHF 36.7K

$37.4K CHF 30.0K

$49.9K CHF 40.0K

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

$298 CHF 240

$188 CHF 151

$371 CHF 298

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

$54.6 CHF 43.86

$24.88 CHF 19.98

$85.8 CHF 68.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$59.1 CHF 47.46

$42.82 CHF 34.39

$97.9 CHF 78.6

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$91.9 CHF 73.8

$56.5 CHF 45.38

$138 CHF 111

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$41.57 CHF 33.38

$18.34 CHF 14.72

$55.0 CHF 44.17

Cinema Ticket

$22.54 CHF 18.10

$18.28 CHF 14.68

$28.02 CHF 22.50

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

$2,618 CHF 2,102

$2,002 CHF 1,608

$3,129 CHF 2,512

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$34.1K CHF 27.4K

$30.4K CHF 24.4K

$43.8K CHF 35.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$132 CHF 106

$85.1 CHF 68.3

$169 CHF 136

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$87.5 CHF 70.3

$60.0 CHF 48.15

$110 CHF 88.5

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$178 CHF 143

$111 CHF 89.1

$247 CHF 198

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$234 CHF 188

$125 CHF 101

$313 CHF 251

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,089 CHF 1,677

$1,716 CHF 1,378

$3,064 CHF 2,461

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,513 CHF 1,215

$1,250 CHF 1,004

$2,000 CHF 1,606

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,732 CHF 2,996

$3,046 CHF 2,446

$4,996 CHF 4,012

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,828 CHF 2,271

$2,394 CHF 1,922

$3,682 CHF 2,957

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$17.3K CHF 13.9K

$13.8K CHF 11.1K

$25.5K CHF 20.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$13.3K CHF 10.7K

$10.2K CHF 8,167

$21.0K CHF 16.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,802 CHF 6,265

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.55

2.5

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

Last update: January 12, 2026

Basel Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

216

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

378

Mbps

281

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 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.