πA single person spends $3,082 per month in Chur vs $3,579 in St. Gallen, rent included.
πA couple spends around $5,013 per month in Chur vs $5,462 in St. Gallen, rent included.
πA family of three spends $6,945 per month in Chur vs $7,344 in St. Gallen, rent included.
πChur is about 14% cheaper than St. Gallen, driven mainly by Getting Around.
πBoth Chur and St. Gallen sit above the global median β Chur by 129%, St. Gallen by 166%.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Chur
St. Gallen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$30.57CHFΒ 24.27
$30.92CHFΒ 24.54
-1.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$99.9CHFΒ 79.3
$150CHFΒ 119
-33.26%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$15.73CHFΒ 12.49
$18.63CHFΒ 14.79
-15.57%
Cappuccino
$5.74CHFΒ 4.56
$6.42CHFΒ 5.10
-10.59%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32CHFΒ 3.43
$5.69CHFΒ 4.52
-24.08%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.33CHFΒ 3.44
$5.23CHFΒ 4.15
-17.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.35CHFΒ 5.84
$7.62CHFΒ 6.05
-3.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.22CHFΒ 5.73
$7.28CHFΒ 5.78
-0.82%
π Groceries & Markets
Chur
St. Gallen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.29CHFΒ 1.82
$2.27CHFΒ 1.80
0.88%
White Bread(500g)
$3.79CHFΒ 3.01
$2.70CHFΒ 2.15
40.37%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.19CHFΒ 3.33
$3.69CHFΒ 2.93
13.55%
Eggs
$7.96CHFΒ 6.32
$8.20CHFΒ 6.51
-2.93%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$30.06CHFΒ 23.87
$27.20CHFΒ 21.59
10.51%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$35.70CHFΒ 28.34
$32.58CHFΒ 25.87
9.58%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$36.60CHFΒ 29.06
$41.65CHFΒ 33.06
-12.12%
Apples(1kg)
$3.70CHFΒ 2.94
$3.24CHFΒ 2.57
14.20%
Banana(1kg)
$2.27CHFΒ 1.80
$1.84CHFΒ 1.46
23.37%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.56CHFΒ 2.03
$2.48CHFΒ 1.97
3.23%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.68CHFΒ 4.51
$6.95CHFΒ 5.52
-18.27%
Potato(1kg)
$1.81CHFΒ 1.43
$2.52CHFΒ 2.00
-28.17%
Onion(1kg)
$2.21CHFΒ 1.75
$2.38CHFΒ 1.89
-7.14%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.25CHFΒ 1.79
$2.34CHFΒ 1.86
-3.85%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.26CHFΒ 1.00
$1.11CHFΒ 0.88
13.51%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.92CHFΒ 8.67
$10.65CHFΒ 8.45
2.54%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.59CHFΒ 10.79
$11.65CHFΒ 9.25
16.65%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.40CHFΒ 1.91
$2.17CHFΒ 1.72
10.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.34CHFΒ 2.65
$2.30CHFΒ 1.83
45.22%
π Getting Around
Chur
St. Gallen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$5.53CHFΒ 4.39
$4.21CHFΒ 3.34
31.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$190CHFΒ 151
$82.2CHFΒ 65.3
131.21%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$8.09CHFΒ 6.42
$6.60CHFΒ 5.24
22.58%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$4.31CHFΒ 3.42
$4.24CHFΒ 3.37
1.65%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$62.2CHFΒ 49.37
$81.1CHFΒ 64.4
-23.29%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.22CHFΒ 1.76
$2.22CHFΒ 1.77
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.2KCHFΒ 31.1K
$40.6KCHFΒ 32.2K
-3.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$37.2KCHFΒ 29.5K
$41.7KCHFΒ 33.1K
-10.71%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chur
St. Gallen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$251CHFΒ 199
$327CHFΒ 259
-23.25%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.63CHFΒ 19.55
$59.6CHFΒ 47.31
-58.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$49.91CHFΒ 39.62
$52.4CHFΒ 41.59
-4.73%
π Sport & Entertainment
Chur
St. Gallen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$84.0CHFΒ 66.7
$82.2CHFΒ 65.3
2.24%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$37.51CHFΒ 29.78
$98.0CHFΒ 77.8
-61.71%
Cinema Ticket
$21.81CHFΒ 17.31
$31.19CHFΒ 24.76
-30.07%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Chur
St. Gallen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,487CHFΒ 1,974
$2,805CHFΒ 2,227
-11.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$41.9KCHFΒ 33.3K
$34.3KCHFΒ 27.2K
22.22%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Chur
St. Gallen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$140CHFΒ 111
$147CHFΒ 117
-4.40%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.55CHFΒ 29.81
$65.7CHFΒ 52.1
-42.81%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$132CHFΒ 104
$155CHFΒ 123
-15.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$160CHFΒ 127
$230CHFΒ 183
-30.24%
π Accommodation & Living
Chur
St. Gallen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,507CHFΒ 1,197
$1,811CHFΒ 1,438
-16.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,127CHFΒ 895
$1,531CHFΒ 1,216
-26.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,877CHFΒ 2,284
$2,773CHFΒ 2,202
3.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,515CHFΒ 1,996
$2,362CHFΒ 1,875
6.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$10.1KCHFΒ 8,036
$12.6KCHFΒ 10.0K
-19.65%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$7,251CHFΒ 5,757
$10.1KCHFΒ 8,034
-28.35%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Chur
St. Gallen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$7,113CHFΒ 5,647
$7,151CHFΒ 5,677
-0.53%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2
2.5
-20.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chur: June 7, 2026
Last update for St. Gallen: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $1,507 in Chur versus $1,811 in St. Gallen. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 1% higher in St. Gallen, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $100 in Chur versus $150 in St. Gallen. Groceries tell a different story β $638 in Chur vs $612 in St. Gallen β so St. Gallen wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Chur vs St. Gallen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Chur and St. Gallen compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $3,082 in Chur, $3,579 in St. Gallen β roughly 16% apart. St. Gallen costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Chur compared to St. Gallen?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,624 per month in Chur and $5,369 in St. Gallen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Chur and St. Gallen?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chur, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Chur and St. Gallen?
Kindergarten costs $2,487 per month in Chur and $2,805 in St. Gallen. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Interestingly, groceries are about 4% cheaper in St. Gallen β one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
$3,000 is a stretch for both β monthly costs hit $3,082 in Chur and $3,579 in St. Gallen. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between Chur and St. Gallen?
It depends on your priorities. St. Gallen has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,082 in Chur to $3,579 in St. Gallen. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Chur or St. Gallen safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Chur and St. Gallen?
If budget matters most, go with Chur. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, St. Gallen makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.