Cost of Living in Bern - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,737 (excluding rent), and $3,341 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,370 (excluding rent), and $7,022 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$28.53 CHF 22.91

$18.84 CHF 15.12

$37.67 CHF 30.25

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$107 CHF 85.8

$85.4 CHF 68.6

$177 CHF 142

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$17.52 CHF 14.07

$16.27 CHF 13.07

$22.52 CHF 18.08

Cappuccino

$5.80 CHF 4.66

$3.72 CHF 2.98

$6.81 CHF 5.47

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

$4.98 CHF 4.00

$3.79 CHF 3.05

$6.32 CHF 5.07

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.85 CHF 3.89

$3.80 CHF 3.05

$6.33 CHF 5.08

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.56 CHF 6.88

$5.70 CHF 4.58

$10.15 CHF 8.15

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.23 CHF 5.00

$4.98 CHF 4.00

$8.72 CHF 7.00

Milk (1 liter)

$2.26 CHF 1.81

$1.63 CHF 1.31

$2.39 CHF 1.92

White Bread (500g)

$3.44 CHF 2.76

$1.52 CHF 1.22

$5.05 CHF 4.05

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.28 CHF 3.44

$1.52 CHF 1.22

$6.25 CHF 5.02

Eggs

$7.30 CHF 5.86

$3.79 CHF 3.04

$8.32 CHF 6.68

Local Cheese (1kg)

$28.57 CHF 22.94

$20.54 CHF 16.50

$59.6 CHF 47.89

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$35.71 CHF 28.67

$17.37 CHF 13.95

$43.43 CHF 34.88

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$40.38 CHF 32.42

$26.72 CHF 21.46

$54.7 CHF 43.90

Apples (1kg)

$3.52 CHF 2.82

$2.50 CHF 2.01

$4.76 CHF 3.82

Banana (1kg)

$2.19 CHF 1.76

$1.61 CHF 1.29

$4.34 CHF 3.48

Oranges (1kg)

$2.84 CHF 2.28

$1.24 CHF 1.00

$4.99 CHF 4.01

Tomato (1kg)

$7.10 CHF 5.70

$2.51 CHF 2.01

$10.14 CHF 8.14

Potato (1kg)

$2.23 CHF 1.79

$1.00 CHF 0.80

$3.74 CHF 3.00

Onion (1kg)

$2.14 CHF 1.72

$1.58 CHF 1.27

$2.39 CHF 1.92

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.48 CHF 1.99

$1.84 CHF 1.48

$2.58 CHF 2.07

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 CHF 0.91

$0.75 CHF 0.60

$2.06 CHF 1.65

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.29 CHF 9.07

$11.05 CHF 8.87

$13.50 CHF 10.84

Wine (Bottle)

$12.63 CHF 10.14

$10.74 CHF 8.62

$15.72 CHF 12.62

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.89 CHF 1.52

$1.09 CHF 0.87

$2.41 CHF 1.94

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.27 CHF 1.82

$1.21 CHF 0.98

$2.43 CHF 1.95

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.73 CHF 2.99

$3.48 CHF 2.79

$6.46 CHF 5.19

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$97.3 CHF 78.1

$96.1 CHF 77.1

$98.5 CHF 79.1

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$8.12 CHF 6.52

$7.49 CHF 6.01

$18.73 CHF 15.04

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.24 CHF 3.40

$4.13 CHF 3.31

$6.19 CHF 4.97

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$91.6 CHF 73.5

$85.5 CHF 68.6

$97.7 CHF 78.4

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.13 CHF 1.71

$2.08 CHF 1.67

$2.37 CHF 1.90

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

$41.0K CHF 32.9K

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

$57.2K CHF 46.0K

$55.2K CHF 44.3K

$57.2K CHF 46.0K

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

$373 CHF 299

$222 CHF 178

$538 CHF 432

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

$58.4 CHF 46.86

$24.32 CHF 19.53

$83.9 CHF 67.4

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$57.8 CHF 46.43

$47.98 CHF 38.53

$123 CHF 98.8

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$79.9 CHF 64.2

$54.5 CHF 43.74

$121 CHF 97.2

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$47.12 CHF 37.84

$36.89 CHF 29.62

$49.18 CHF 39.49

Cinema Ticket

$25.01 CHF 20.08

$23.76 CHF 19.08

$31.26 CHF 25.11

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

$3,382 CHF 2,716

$3,108 CHF 2,496

$3,668 CHF 2,945

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K CHF 32.0K

$36.6K CHF 29.4K

$46.4K CHF 37.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$151 CHF 121

$110 CHF 88.6

$184 CHF 148

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$66.7 CHF 53.5

$42.41 CHF 34.06

$109 CHF 87.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$175 CHF 141

$98.5 CHF 79.1

$246 CHF 198

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$187 CHF 150

$111 CHF 89.4

$371 CHF 298

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,844 CHF 1,481

$1,087 CHF 873

$2,779 CHF 2,231

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,264 CHF 1,015

$795 CHF 638

$1,834 CHF 1,473

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,309 CHF 2,657

$2,258 CHF 1,813

$4,391 CHF 3,526

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,409 CHF 1,935

$1,984 CHF 1,593

$3,100 CHF 2,489

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$17.5K CHF 14.1K

$13.7K CHF 11.0K

$29.1K CHF 23.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$13.7K CHF 11.0K

$9,860 CHF 7,918

$24.5K CHF 19.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,100 CHF 5,701

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.52

1.6

3.25

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

Last update: January 11, 2026

Bern Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

299

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

359

Mbps

244

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 Bern - Frequently Asked Questions

Bern sits at the higher end of European city living, with strong public services and safety that come with a higher price tag. For many, the Cost of Living in Bern, Switzerland remains manageable if you balance a central, well-connected location with budget-minded choices elsewhere. You’ll find that housing in the Old Town or near the river is premium, while lighter options exist in outlying districts or commuter-friendly suburbs. Food, healthcare, and transport lean toward the pricy side, but the city’s efficiency and quality can reduce other costs, like time and commuting. Tip: Set a neighborhood priority, and test a few grocery stores for value.

In Bern you’ll typically search for housing with a focus on location and sunlight. Central quarters like Altstadt and Kirchenfeld offer character and convenience, but come at a premium; more affordable options exist in neighborhoods a short tram ride away. For groceries and dining, you’ll find a mix of markets, bakeries, and international supermarkets; cooking at home is common and budget-friendly when you shop at weekly markets. Transit is excellent: reliable trams and buses, plus easy biking routes; the city is walkable, and most errands can be done on foot in the center. Tip: try urban neighborhoods on weekends to gauge noise, access, and pace.

For a balanced approach to life in Bern, set a monthly budgeting framework that covers housing, groceries, and transport. Seasonality matters: winter heating tends to influence utility planning, while summer activities may affect dining and leisure costs. To maximize quality of life, try a mix of longer stays in slightly outer districts and occasional visits to the historic center to enjoy events without long commitments. Neighborhood fit often hinges on how you approach errands – walkable cores save time and money, while a bike or tram pass keeps daily costs predictable. Bern, Switzerland living cost reflects location and lifestyle choices. Tip: map a weekly routine that minimizes backtracking and consolidates trips.