Cost of Living in Bern - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,717 (excluding rent), and $3,340 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,325 (excluding rent), and $7,012 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$28.53 CHF 22.34

$18.84 CHF 14.75

$37.68 CHF 29.50

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$108 CHF 84.9

$86.8 CHF 68.0

$180 CHF 141

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$17.04 CHF 13.34

$15.83 CHF 12.39

$21.90 CHF 17.15

Cappuccino

$5.82 CHF 4.56

$3.73 CHF 2.92

$6.83 CHF 5.35

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

$4.96 CHF 3.88

$3.77 CHF 2.95

$6.28 CHF 4.92

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.68 CHF 3.67

$3.67 CHF 2.87

$6.11 CHF 4.78

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.25 CHF 6.46

$5.50 CHF 4.30

$9.78 CHF 7.66

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.06 CHF 4.74

$4.85 CHF 3.79

$8.47 CHF 6.63

Milk (1 liter)

$2.27 CHF 1.78

$1.65 CHF 1.29

$2.41 CHF 1.89

White Bread (500g)

$3.34 CHF 2.61

$1.47 CHF 1.15

$4.90 CHF 3.84

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.06 CHF 3.18

$1.44 CHF 1.13

$5.92 CHF 4.64

Eggs

$7.11 CHF 5.57

$3.69 CHF 2.89

$8.11 CHF 6.35

Local Cheese (1kg)

$28.57 CHF 22.37

$20.54 CHF 16.08

$59.6 CHF 46.69

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$35.59 CHF 27.87

$17.32 CHF 13.56

$43.29 CHF 33.90

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$40.29 CHF 31.54

$26.66 CHF 20.88

$54.5 CHF 42.71

Apples (1kg)

$3.53 CHF 2.77

$2.51 CHF 1.97

$4.78 CHF 3.74

Banana (1kg)

$2.22 CHF 1.74

$1.63 CHF 1.28

$4.39 CHF 3.44

Oranges (1kg)

$2.88 CHF 2.25

$1.26 CHF 0.99

$5.05 CHF 3.95

Tomato (1kg)

$6.96 CHF 5.45

$2.46 CHF 1.92

$9.93 CHF 7.78

Potato (1kg)

$2.16 CHF 1.69

$0.97 CHF 0.76

$3.62 CHF 2.84

Onion (1kg)

$2.18 CHF 1.71

$1.61 CHF 1.26

$2.44 CHF 1.91

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 CHF 1.89

$1.80 CHF 1.41

$2.52 CHF 1.97

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.15 CHF 0.90

$0.76 CHF 0.60

$2.09 CHF 1.64

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.46 CHF 8.97

$11.22 CHF 8.78

$13.71 CHF 10.73

Wine (Bottle)

$13.03 CHF 10.20

$11.07 CHF 8.67

$16.20 CHF 12.69

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.88 CHF 1.47

$1.08 CHF 0.85

$2.40 CHF 1.88

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 CHF 1.81

$1.24 CHF 0.97

$2.48 CHF 1.94

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.61 CHF 2.83

$3.37 CHF 2.64

$6.25 CHF 4.90

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$98.2 CHF 76.9

$96.9 CHF 75.9

$99.4 CHF 77.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$8.12 CHF 6.36

$7.49 CHF 5.87

$18.73 CHF 14.67

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.41 CHF 3.45

$4.30 CHF 3.37

$6.44 CHF 5.04

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$91.4 CHF 71.5

$85.3 CHF 66.8

$97.5 CHF 76.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.24 CHF 1.75

$2.19 CHF 1.71

$2.49 CHF 1.95

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

$40.5K CHF 31.7K

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

$57.0K CHF 44.6K

$55.0K CHF 43.1K

$57.0K CHF 44.6K

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

$366 CHF 287

$218 CHF 171

$528 CHF 413

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

$58.7 CHF 45.94

$24.45 CHF 19.14

$84.3 CHF 66.0

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$57.1 CHF 44.68

$47.36 CHF 37.08

$121 CHF 95.1

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$82.7 CHF 64.8

$56.4 CHF 44.15

$125 CHF 98.1

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$47.96 CHF 37.55

$37.54 CHF 29.39

$50.1 CHF 39.19

Cinema Ticket

$24.94 CHF 19.53

$23.70 CHF 18.55

$31.18 CHF 24.41

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

$3,330 CHF 2,607

$3,060 CHF 2,396

$3,611 CHF 2,828

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.7K CHF 31.1K

$36.5K CHF 28.6K

$46.2K CHF 36.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$151 CHF 118

$111 CHF 86.7

$184 CHF 144

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$68.7 CHF 53.8

$43.73 CHF 34.24

$112 CHF 88.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$173 CHF 136

$97.3 CHF 76.2

$243 CHF 190

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$184 CHF 144

$109 CHF 85.7

$365 CHF 286

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,884 CHF 1,475

$1,111 CHF 870

$2,840 CHF 2,223

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,248 CHF 977

$785 CHF 615

$1,811 CHF 1,418

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,311 CHF 2,592

$2,259 CHF 1,769

$4,393 CHF 3,440

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,409 CHF 1,886

$1,984 CHF 1,553

$3,100 CHF 2,427

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$15.6K CHF 12.3K

$13.8K CHF 10.8K

$28.8K CHF 22.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$11.9K CHF 9,328

$10.0K CHF 7,845

$24.5K CHF 19.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,431 CHF 5,818

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: March 2, 2026

Bern Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

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.