Cost of Living in Bern - Updated Prices & Insights

124.14

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,750 (excluding rent), and $3,394 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,233 (excluding rent), and $7,034 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$27.6 CHF 22.44

$18.22 CHF 14.82

$36.44 CHF 29.63

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$107 CHF 87.3

$85.8 CHF 69.8

$178 CHF 145

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$17.41 CHF 14.16

$16.17 CHF 13.15

$22.38 CHF 18.19

Cappuccino

$5.72 CHF 4.65

$3.66 CHF 2.98

$6.71 CHF 5.46

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

$4.79 CHF 3.9

$3.65 CHF 2.97

$6.08 CHF 4.94

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.76 CHF 3.87

$3.73 CHF 3.03

$6.21 CHF 5.05

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.57 CHF 6.97

$5.7 CHF 4.64

$10.15 CHF 8.26

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.1 CHF 4.96

$4.88 CHF 3.97

$8.54 CHF 6.94

Milk (1 liter)

$2.17 CHF 1.76

$1.57 CHF 1.27

$2.29 CHF 1.86

White Bread (500g)

$3.3 CHF 2.68

$1.45 CHF 1.18

$4.84 CHF 3.93

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.26 CHF 3.46

$1.51 CHF 1.23

$6.22 CHF 5.05

Eggs

$7.05 CHF 5.73

$3.66 CHF 2.98

$8.04 CHF 6.54

Local Cheese (1kg)

$28.4 CHF 23.09

$20.42 CHF 16.61

$59.3 CHF 48.2

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$35.71 CHF 29.03

$17.38 CHF 14.13

$43.43 CHF 35.32

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$41.57 CHF 33.8

$27.51 CHF 22.37

$56.3 CHF 45.76

Apples (1kg)

$3.42 CHF 2.78

$2.43 CHF 1.97

$4.62 CHF 3.76

Banana (1kg)

$2.17 CHF 1.76

$1.59 CHF 1.29

$4.28 CHF 3.48

Oranges (1kg)

$2.79 CHF 2.27

$1.22 CHF 0.99

$4.89 CHF 3.97

Tomato (1kg)

$6.85 CHF 5.57

$2.42 CHF 1.97

$9.77 CHF 7.94

Potato (1kg)

$2.17 CHF 1.77

$0.97 CHF 0.79

$3.64 CHF 2.96

Onion (1kg)

$2.18 CHF 1.77

$1.61 CHF 1.31

$2.44 CHF 1.98

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.43 CHF 1.97

$1.8 CHF 1.47

$2.52 CHF 2.05

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.13 CHF 0.92

$0.75 CHF 0.61

$2.05 CHF 1.67

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.48 CHF 9.34

$11.24 CHF 9.14

$13.74 CHF 11.17

Wine (Bottle)

$10.32 CHF 8.39

$8.5 CHF 6.91

$14.57 CHF 11.85

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.89 CHF 1.53

$1.08 CHF 0.88

$2.4 CHF 1.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.33 CHF 1.9

$1.25 CHF 1.01

$2.5 CHF 2.03

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.74 CHF 3.04

$3.49 CHF 2.84

$6.48 CHF 5.27

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$99 CHF 80.5

$97.7 CHF 79.5

$100 CHF 81.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$8.25 CHF 6.71

$7.61 CHF 6.19

$19.03 CHF 15.47

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.3 CHF 3.49

$4.19 CHF 3.41

$6.28 CHF 5.1

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$93.2 CHF 75.8

$87 CHF 70.7

$99.4 CHF 80.9

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.15 CHF 1.75

$2.1 CHF 1.71

$2.39 CHF 1.95

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

$40.5K CHF 32.9K

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

$57.6K CHF 46.8K

$55.5K CHF 45.2K

$57.6K CHF 46.8K

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

$366 CHF 298

$218 CHF 177

$528 CHF 429

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

$58.6 CHF 47.61

$24.4 CHF 19.84

$84.2 CHF 68.4

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$57.3 CHF 46.6

$47.56 CHF 38.67

$122 CHF 99.2

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$80.4 CHF 65.4

$54.8 CHF 44.57

$122 CHF 99

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$46.95 CHF 38.17

$36.75 CHF 29.88

$49 CHF 39.84

Cinema Ticket

$24.46 CHF 19.89

$23.24 CHF 18.9

$30.58 CHF 24.87

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

$3,402 CHF 2,766

$3,126 CHF 2,542

$3,689 CHF 3,000

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40.5K CHF 32.9K

$37.2K CHF 30.3K

$47.1K CHF 38.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$154 CHF 125

$113 CHF 91.6

$188 CHF 153

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$67.7 CHF 55

$43.05 CHF 35

$111 CHF 90

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$179 CHF 145

$100 CHF 81.7

$251 CHF 204

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$184 CHF 150

$110 CHF 89.3

$366 CHF 298

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,855 CHF 1,508

$1,094 CHF 890

$2,796 CHF 2,273

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,265 CHF 1,029

$796 CHF 647

$1,837 CHF 1,493

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,268 CHF 2,657

$2,230 CHF 1,813

$4,337 CHF 3,526

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,377 CHF 1,933

$1,958 CHF 1,592

$3,059 CHF 2,487

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$14.9K CHF 12.1K

$10.6K CHF 8,599

$19.9K CHF 16.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$10.6K CHF 8,581

$9,732 CHF 7,913

$18.2K CHF 14.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,185 CHF 5,842

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.

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.