Cost of Living in Basel - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,872 (excluding rent), and $3,703 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,799 (excluding rent), and $7,877 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.9 CHF 24.87

$24.72 CHF 19.89

$46.35 CHF 37.3

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$156 CHF 125

$93.3 CHF 75.1

$210 CHF 169

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$20.05 CHF 16.13

$18.8 CHF 15.13

$22.55 CHF 18.15

Cappuccino

$6.71 CHF 5.4

$4.84 CHF 3.89

$9.68 CHF 7.79

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

$5.73 CHF 4.61

$3.77 CHF 3.04

$7.54 CHF 6.07

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.21 CHF 4.19

$3.76 CHF 3.03

$6.27 CHF 5.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.99 CHF 8.04

$6.24 CHF 5.02

$11.71 CHF 9.42

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.58 CHF 6.1

$6.22 CHF 5

$9.95 CHF 8.01

Milk (1 liter)

$2.17 CHF 1.75

$1.58 CHF 1.27

$2.43 CHF 1.96

White Bread (500g)

$3.85 CHF 3.1

$1.5 CHF 1.2

$4.99 CHF 4.01

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.03 CHF 4.04

$3.06 CHF 2.47

$6.13 CHF 4.93

Eggs

$8.15 CHF 6.56

$5 CHF 4.03

$12.13 CHF 9.76

Local Cheese (1kg)

$28.76 CHF 23.14

$19.75 CHF 15.9

$43.22 CHF 34.78

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$36.74 CHF 29.57

$18.52 CHF 14.91

$43.22 CHF 34.79

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$43.26 CHF 34.81

$24.25 CHF 19.51

$54.6 CHF 43.9

Apples (1kg)

$3.95 CHF 3.18

$2.48 CHF 1.99

$4.96 CHF 3.99

Banana (1kg)

$2.63 CHF 2.12

$1.57 CHF 1.27

$4.24 CHF 3.41

Oranges (1kg)

$4.05 CHF 3.26

$1.81 CHF 1.46

$6.64 CHF 5.35

Tomato (1kg)

$6.98 CHF 5.62

$3.72 CHF 3

$9.79 CHF 7.88

Potato (1kg)

$3.19 CHF 2.56

$1.47 CHF 1.19

$4.91 CHF 3.95

Onion (1kg)

$2.85 CHF 2.29

$1.82 CHF 1.46

$3.64 CHF 2.93

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.57 CHF 2.07

$2.44 CHF 1.97

$3.06 CHF 2.46

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.51 CHF 1.21

$0.73 CHF 0.59

$2.42 CHF 1.95

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.82 CHF 9.51

$10.58 CHF 8.51

$13.69 CHF 11.02

Wine (Bottle)

$15.04 CHF 12.11

$10.69 CHF 8.6

$22 CHF 17.71

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.35 CHF 1.89

$1.81 CHF 1.46

$2.41 CHF 1.94

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.09 CHF 2.49

$1.24 CHF 0.99

$5.57 CHF 4.48

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.64 CHF 3.73

$4.15 CHF 3.34

$5.37 CHF 4.32

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$105 CHF 84.1

$97.2 CHF 78.2

$128 CHF 103

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$8.22 CHF 6.62

$7.59 CHF 6.11

$8.22 CHF 6.62

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.15 CHF 3.34

$4.48 CHF 3.6

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$85.1 CHF 68.5

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.15 CHF 1.73

$2.11 CHF 1.69

$2.21 CHF 1.78

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

$40.7K CHF 32.8K

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

$45.3K CHF 36.5K

$37.1K CHF 29.8K

$49.4K CHF 39.8K

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

$307 CHF 247

$193 CHF 156

$381 CHF 307

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

$54.9 CHF 44.17

$25 CHF 20.12

$86.2 CHF 69.4

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.7 CHF 48.81

$43.94 CHF 35.37

$100 CHF 80.8

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$90.8 CHF 73.1

$55.9 CHF 44.96

$137 CHF 110

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$41.32 CHF 33.25

$18.23 CHF 14.67

$54.7 CHF 44.01

Cinema Ticket

$22.68 CHF 18.25

$18.39 CHF 14.8

$28.2 CHF 22.69

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

$2,593 CHF 2,087

$1,984 CHF 1,597

$3,100 CHF 2,495

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$33.9K CHF 27.3K

$30.2K CHF 24.3K

$43.6K CHF 35.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$131 CHF 106

$84.7 CHF 68.2

$168 CHF 135

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$88.3 CHF 71.1

$60.5 CHF 48.72

$111 CHF 89.5

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$181 CHF 146

$113 CHF 90.8

$251 CHF 202

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$229 CHF 185

$123 CHF 98.9

$307 CHF 247

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,105 CHF 1,694

$1,729 CHF 1,392

$3,088 CHF 2,485

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,479 CHF 1,190

$1,222 CHF 983

$1,954 CHF 1,573

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,740 CHF 3,010

$3,053 CHF 2,457

$5,007 CHF 4,029

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,885 CHF 2,322

$2,442 CHF 1,965

$3,757 CHF 3,023

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$19.1K CHF 15.4K

$13.8K CHF 11.1K

$26.4K CHF 21.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$15.6K CHF 12.6K

$11K CHF 8,832

$21.1K CHF 17K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,886 CHF 6,347

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: December 2, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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🇪🇺 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.