Cost of Living in Bellinzona - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,819 (excluding rent), and $3,793 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,727 (excluding rent), and $7,861 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.42 CHF 24.44

$24.34 CHF 19.55

$42.59 CHF 34.22

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$110 CHF 88.2

$97.5 CHF 78.4

$219 CHF 176

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$18.12 CHF 14.55

$22.95 CHF 18.44

Cappuccino

$4.41 CHF 3.54

$2.49 CHF 2

$11.21 CHF 9.01

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

$4.96 CHF 3.98

$2.53 CHF 2.03

$6.32 CHF 5.08

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.06 CHF 3.26

$2.43 CHF 1.95

$6.08 CHF 4.89

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.27 CHF 5.84

$4.85 CHF 3.9

$9.7 CHF 7.79

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.12 CHF 4.91

$4.9 CHF 3.93

$7.34 CHF 5.9

Milk (1 liter)

$2.19 CHF 1.76

$1.45 CHF 1.17

$2.42 CHF 1.94

White Bread (500g)

$4.03 CHF 3.24

$1.5 CHF 1.21

$7.39 CHF 5.94

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.14 CHF 4.13

$3 CHF 2.41

$6 CHF 4.82

Eggs

$7.92 CHF 6.36

$4.36 CHF 3.5

$11.97 CHF 9.61

Local Cheese (1kg)

$29.31 CHF 23.55

$9.94 CHF 7.99

$43.48 CHF 34.93

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$37.39 CHF 30.04

$18.15 CHF 14.58

$50.1 CHF 40.22

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$48.23 CHF 38.75

$42.28 CHF 33.97

$66.1 CHF 53.1

Apples (1kg)

$3.78 CHF 3.04

$2.49 CHF 2

$5.6 CHF 4.5

Banana (1kg)

$2.15 CHF 1.73

$1.63 CHF 1.31

$3.59 CHF 2.89

Oranges (1kg)

$2.78 CHF 2.23

$1.83 CHF 1.47

$5.49 CHF 4.41

Tomato (1kg)

$7.46 CHF 5.99

$2.16 CHF 1.74

$9.75 CHF 7.83

Potato (1kg)

$2.24 CHF 1.8

$1.46 CHF 1.17

$3.03 CHF 2.44

Onion (1kg)

$2.52 CHF 2.03

$1.88 CHF 1.51

$3.14 CHF 2.52

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.63 CHF 2.11

$2.25 CHF 1.81

$3.75 CHF 3.01

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 CHF 1.36

$0.76 CHF 0.61

$2.52 CHF 2.03

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.97 CHF 8.81

$9.92 CHF 7.97

$11.37 CHF 9.13

Wine (Bottle)

$15.56 CHF 12.5

$3.73 CHF 3

$22.41 CHF 18.01

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.91 CHF 3.14

$0.89 CHF 0.72

$4.18 CHF 3.36

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.22 CHF 3.39

$1.81 CHF 1.45

$6.02 CHF 4.84

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$6.2 CHF 4.98

$2.85 CHF 2.29

$8.68 CHF 6.97

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$97.6 CHF 78.4

$73.2 CHF 58.8

$122 CHF 98

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.74 CHF 5.41

$6.12 CHF 4.92

$24.48 CHF 19.67

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.42 CHF 3.55

$3.32 CHF 2.66

$5.52 CHF 4.43

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$61.7 CHF 49.59

$88.9 CHF 71.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.12 CHF 1.7

$2.08 CHF 1.67

$2.27 CHF 1.82

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

$41.1K CHF 33K

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

$37.9K CHF 30.5K

$34.7K CHF 27.9K

$41.1K CHF 33K

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

$299 CHF 240

$125 CHF 101

$502 CHF 403

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

$68.5 CHF 55

$30.97 CHF 24.88

$85.5 CHF 68.7

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.1 CHF 48.24

$46.29 CHF 37.19

$81.3 CHF 65.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$112 CHF 90.3

$24.99 CHF 20.08

$187 CHF 151

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$64.5 CHF 51.8

$61.4 CHF 49.31

$67.5 CHF 54.2

Cinema Ticket

$23.56 CHF 18.93

$18.6 CHF 14.94

$30.99 CHF 24.9

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

$1,860 CHF 1,494

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$34.8K CHF 28K

$18.4K CHF 14.8K

$49.1K CHF 39.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$127 CHF 102

$37.68 CHF 30.27

$176 CHF 141

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.54 CHF 39

$36.32 CHF 29.18

$72.9 CHF 58.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$157 CHF 126

$74.9 CHF 60.2

$225 CHF 181

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$189 CHF 152

$99 CHF 79.5

$308 CHF 248

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,829 CHF 1,469

$1,341 CHF 1,078

$2,439 CHF 1,959

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,738 CHF 1,397

$1,242 CHF 998

$2,235 CHF 1,796

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,781 CHF 2,235

$1,963 CHF 1,577

$4,295 CHF 3,451

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,062 CHF 2,460

$1,999 CHF 1,606

$4,124 CHF 3,313

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$17K CHF 13.6K

$6,289 CHF 5,053

$27.7K CHF 22.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$11.5K CHF 9,273

$3,645 CHF 2,928

$19.4K CHF 15.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,921 CHF 4,757

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.5

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

Last update: November 24, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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🇪🇺 Europe

Cost of Living in Bellinzona - Frequently Asked Questions

Bellinzona offers a practical balance for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want Swiss reliability without the heft of larger cities. You’ll find clean services, safe streets, and a pace that’s easier to absorb than in Zurich or Geneva, yet with strong accessibility to the Italian-speaking region’s vibe. If you’re prioritizing history and a compact city feel, you’ll enjoy good value in well-located apartments and cozy local spots. In contrast, some core costs rise with the season, especially around tourist sites. Overall, Cost of Living in Bellinzona, Switzerland reflects a well-managed mix of housing, transit, and daily essentials, with room to adjust based on neighborhood and lifestyle. Tip: Consider a flexible rental near the medieval center to balance charm with practicality.

Daily life in Bellinzona centers on accessibility and low-friction logistics. Start your housing search by scanning residential areas a short ride from the train station or inside the medieval core where character meets convenience; you’ll find a mix of charming apartments and practical flats. Grocery stores and fresh markets offer reliable ingredients for home cooking, while neighborhood cafes serve as quick work spots or meeting points. Public transport is straightforward, with reliable buses connecting the castle hills to the valley; car use is optional. For remote work, look for co-working spaces or quiet libraries near central neighborhoods. Bellinzona, Switzerland living cost is manageable when you combine longer leases with shared housing and seasonal planning. Tip: Build a simple weekly budget around transit passes and self-catering days.

Quality of life in Bellinzona feels intimate and solid for those who want reliable pace with easy access to nature. To budget well, adopt a simple framework: identify fixed essentials (housing, transit) and flexible categories ( dining out, extra activities), then track deviations against a weekly plan. Seasonality shows in crowds around the medieval sites and valley hikes, with shoulder periods offering calmer streets and better chances at quieter neighborhoods. For neighborhood fit, walkable cores near the Castello and along the river are convenient, while quieter vantage points up the hills deliver peace and views. Tip: pair a rental with a transit pass and explore a mix of markets, cafes, and public spaces to balance costs and lifestyle.