🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,379 in Buchs versus $3,890 in Centreville, VA.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,057 in Buchs versus $5,824 in Centreville, VA.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,734 in Buchs versus $7,758 in Centreville, VA.
🌍Living in Buchs costs roughly 13% less than in Centreville, VA, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Buchs153% above, Centreville, VA191% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Buchs
Centreville, VA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$29.39CHF 23.93
$23.96$23.96
22.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$131CHF 106
$119$119
9.25%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.89CHF 9.68
$13.01$13.01
-8.61%
Cappuccino
$3.57CHF 2.91
$5.51$5.51
-35.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.52CHF 2.05
$3.05$3.05
-17.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09CHF 1.70
$2.59$2.59
-19.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.50CHF 3.66
$6.34$6.34
-29.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.23CHF 4.26
$7.95$7.95
-34.21%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Buchs
Centreville, VA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.75CHF 1.42
$1.25$1.25
40.00%
White Bread(500g)
$3.03CHF 2.47
$3.82$3.82
-20.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.22CHF 3.43
$6.93$6.93
-39.11%
Eggs
$5.07CHF 4.12
$4.02$4.02
26.12%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$30.56CHF 24.88
$19.57$19.57
56.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.87CHF 12.11
$15.05$15.05
-1.20%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$50.6CHF 41.17
$23.72$23.72
113.15%
Apples(1kg)
$3.80CHF 3.10
$7.64$7.64
-50.26%
Banana(1kg)
$2.04CHF 1.66
$1.78$1.78
14.61%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.85CHF 2.32
$8.12$8.12
-64.90%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.46CHF 5.26
$11.12$11.12
-41.91%
Potato(1kg)
$2.39CHF 1.94
$4.88$4.88
-51.02%
Onion(1kg)
$2.39CHF 1.94
$3.65$3.65
-34.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.68CHF 2.18
$3.42$3.42
-21.64%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.28CHF 1.04
$3.24$3.24
-60.49%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$11.24CHF 9.15
$11.16$11.16
0.72%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.88CHF 10.48
$18.23$18.23
-29.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.39CHF 1.94
$1.77$1.77
35.03%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.30CHF 2.69
$3.69$3.69
-10.57%
🚌 Getting Around
Buchs
Centreville, VA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.50CHF 2.04
$4.61$4.61
-45.77%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$87.1CHF 70.9
$197$197
-55.78%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$7.93CHF 6.46
$2.88$2.88
175.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.55CHF 2.89
$1.34$1.34
164.93%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$89.5CHF 72.8
$25.17$25.17
255.42%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.12CHF 1.73
$0.84$0.84
152.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.3KCHF 25.5K
$31.3K$31.3K
-0.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.9KCHF 35.0K
$24.8K$24.8K
72.87%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Buchs
Centreville, VA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$183CHF 149
$218$218
-16.15%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$43.01CHF 35.02
$52.8$52.8
-18.54%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$55.7CHF 45.32
$71.8$71.8
-22.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Buchs
Centreville, VA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$146CHF 119
$99.3$99.3
47.25%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.33CHF 14.11
$50.6$50.6
-65.73%
Cinema Ticket
$14.75CHF 12.01
$15.04$15.04
-1.93%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Buchs
Centreville, VA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,961CHF 2,411
$1,945$1,945
52.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$32.9KCHF 26.8K
$36.5K$36.5K
-9.88%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Buchs
Centreville, VA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$141CHF 115
$56.1$56.1
151.73%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$77.1CHF 62.7
$54.1$54.1
42.53%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$133CHF 109
$116$116
15.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$159CHF 129
$122$122
30.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Buchs
Centreville, VA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,850CHF 1,506
$2,794$2,794
-33.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,588CHF 1,293
$2,169$2,169
-26.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,744CHF 2,234
$4,618$4,618
-40.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,496CHF 2,032
$3,695$3,695
-32.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,709$3,709
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,989$2,989
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Buchs
Centreville, VA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$8,815CHF 7,177
$5,461$5,461
61.41%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2
6.55
-69.47%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Buchs: July 21, 2026
Last update for Centreville, VA: July 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,850 in Buchs and $2,794 in Centreville, VA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Buchs pays 61% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $131 in Buchs vs $119 in Centreville, VA. Groceries flip the comparison at $560 vs $564, with Buchs cheaper for home cooking.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Buchs vs Centreville, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Buchs and in Centreville, VA?
Buchs and Centreville, VA differ by about 15% in total monthly costs ($3,379 vs $3,890 including rent). Buchs is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Buchs or Centreville, VA?
Average pay runs 61% higher in Buchs, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Buchs and in Centreville, VA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,850 in Buchs versus $2,794 in Centreville, VA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Buchs – a meal for two runs $131 versus $119 in Centreville, VA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Buchs or Centreville, VA?
All in, you'll spend $3,379 per month in Buchs versus $3,890 in Centreville, VA – a 15% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Buchs is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
How does quality of life compare between Buchs and Centreville, VA?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Buchs or Centreville, VA safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Buchs and Centreville, VA are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Buchs or Centreville, VA?
Expats usually find Buchs gentler on the wallet – expenses run 15% less than in Centreville, VA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.