Cost of Living in Bern - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,705 (excluding rent), and $3,383 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,230 (excluding rent), and $7,155 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$28.1 CHF 22.62

$18.55 CHF 14.93

$37.11 CHF 29.86

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$108 CHF 86.5

$86 CHF 69.2

$178 CHF 143

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$17 CHF 13.68

$15.78 CHF 12.7

$21.84 CHF 17.58

Cappuccino

$5.71 CHF 4.59

$3.65 CHF 2.94

$6.7 CHF 5.39

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

$4.79 CHF 3.85

$3.65 CHF 2.93

$6.07 CHF 4.88

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.79 CHF 3.86

$3.76 CHF 3.02

$6.26 CHF 5.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.28 CHF 6.66

$5.51 CHF 4.44

$9.81 CHF 7.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.13 CHF 4.93

$4.91 CHF 3.95

$8.58 CHF 6.91

Milk (1 liter)

$2.17 CHF 1.75

$1.57 CHF 1.27

$2.3 CHF 1.85

White Bread (500g)

$3.42 CHF 2.75

$1.51 CHF 1.21

$5.02 CHF 4.04

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.13 CHF 3.32

$1.46 CHF 1.18

$6.03 CHF 4.85

Eggs

$6.93 CHF 5.58

$3.6 CHF 2.89

$7.9 CHF 6.36

Local Cheese (1kg)

$28.02 CHF 22.55

$20.15 CHF 16.21

$58.5 CHF 47.07

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$34.79 CHF 28

$16.93 CHF 13.62

$42.32 CHF 34.06

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$40.43 CHF 32.54

$26.75 CHF 21.53

$54.7 CHF 44.05

Apples (1kg)

$3.51 CHF 2.82

$2.49 CHF 2.01

$4.74 CHF 3.82

Banana (1kg)

$2.16 CHF 1.74

$1.58 CHF 1.27

$4.27 CHF 3.43

Oranges (1kg)

$2.82 CHF 2.27

$1.24 CHF 0.99

$4.95 CHF 3.98

Tomato (1kg)

$7.07 CHF 5.69

$2.5 CHF 2.01

$10.08 CHF 8.12

Potato (1kg)

$2.2 CHF 1.77

$0.98 CHF 0.79

$3.68 CHF 2.96

Onion (1kg)

$2.22 CHF 1.79

$1.65 CHF 1.33

$2.49 CHF 2

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 CHF 1.94

$1.79 CHF 1.44

$2.51 CHF 2.02

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.15 CHF 0.92

$0.76 CHF 0.61

$2.08 CHF 1.67

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.24 CHF 9.05

$11 CHF 8.85

$13.44 CHF 10.82

Wine (Bottle)

$12.54 CHF 10.09

$10.66 CHF 8.58

$15.59 CHF 12.55

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.98 CHF 1.6

$1.14 CHF 0.92

$2.53 CHF 2.03

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.33 CHF 1.88

$1.25 CHF 1

$2.49 CHF 2.01

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.61 CHF 2.91

$3.37 CHF 2.71

$6.26 CHF 5.04

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$98.1 CHF 78.9

$96.8 CHF 77.9

$99.3 CHF 79.9

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$7.83 CHF 6.3

$7.22 CHF 5.81

$18.06 CHF 14.54

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.44 CHF 3.57

$4.33 CHF 3.48

$6.48 CHF 5.22

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$90.7 CHF 73

$84.7 CHF 68.2

$96.8 CHF 77.9

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.18 CHF 1.75

$2.13 CHF 1.71

$2.43 CHF 1.95

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

$41K CHF 33K

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

$56.4K CHF 45.4K

$54.4K CHF 43.8K

$56.4K CHF 45.4K

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

$379 CHF 305

$226 CHF 182

$547 CHF 440

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

$58.4 CHF 47.03

$24.35 CHF 19.6

$84 CHF 67.6

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$58.6 CHF 47.15

$48.62 CHF 39.13

$125 CHF 100

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$80.6 CHF 64.9

$55 CHF 44.24

$122 CHF 98.3

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$46.72 CHF 37.6

$36.57 CHF 29.43

$48.75 CHF 39.24

Cinema Ticket

$24.45 CHF 19.68

$23.23 CHF 18.7

$30.56 CHF 24.6

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

$3,329 CHF 2,679

$3,059 CHF 2,462

$3,610 CHF 2,905

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40.2K CHF 32.4K

$36.9K CHF 29.7K

$46.8K CHF 37.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$149 CHF 120

$109 CHF 87.7

$182 CHF 146

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$68.2 CHF 54.9

$43.43 CHF 34.95

$112 CHF 89.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$172 CHF 138

$96.7 CHF 77.8

$242 CHF 194

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$182 CHF 147

$109 CHF 87.5

$363 CHF 292

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,869 CHF 1,504

$1,102 CHF 887

$2,817 CHF 2,267

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,249 CHF 1,005

$785 CHF 632

$1,812 CHF 1,459

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,258 CHF 2,622

$2,223 CHF 1,789

$4,323 CHF 3,479

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,377 CHF 1,913

$1,958 CHF 1,575

$3,059 CHF 2,462

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$21.4K CHF 17.2K

$13.4K CHF 10.8K

$28.2K CHF 22.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$17.6K CHF 14.2K

$10.1K CHF 8,093

$24.5K CHF 19.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,327 CHF 5,896

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: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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🇪🇺 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.