😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,974 in Dubendorf versus $3,565 in Lausanne.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,958 in Dubendorf versus $5,676 in Lausanne.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $7,942 in Dubendorf versus $7,788 in Lausanne.
😐Living in Dubendorf is roughly 11% more expensive than Lausanne, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Dubendorf197% above, Lausanne166% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Dubendorf
Lausanne
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$30.79CHF 24.27
$32.84CHF 25.89
-6.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$150CHF 119
$145CHF 114
3.66%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$18.42CHF 14.52
$18.73CHF 14.77
-1.66%
Cappuccino
$6.38CHF 5.03
$6.07CHF 4.79
5.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.85CHF 4.61
$5.59CHF 4.41
4.65%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.40CHF 4.25
$4.70CHF 3.71
14.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.41CHF 5.85
$9.64CHF 7.60
-23.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.99CHF 5.51
$8.41CHF 6.63
-16.88%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Dubendorf
Lausanne
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.15CHF 1.69
$2.19CHF 1.73
-1.83%
White Bread(500g)
$3.26CHF 2.57
$4.17CHF 3.29
-21.82%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.08CHF 3.22
$4.48CHF 3.53
-8.93%
Eggs
$7.26CHF 5.72
$7.01CHF 5.52
3.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$29.29CHF 23.09
$26.22CHF 20.67
11.71%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$31.91CHF 25.16
$28.78CHF 22.69
10.88%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$49.09CHF 38.70
$52.0CHF 40.97
-5.52%
Apples(1kg)
$3.18CHF 2.50
$3.60CHF 2.84
-11.67%
Banana(1kg)
$2.81CHF 2.21
$2.19CHF 1.73
28.31%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.09CHF 2.43
$2.95CHF 2.32
4.75%
Tomato(1kg)
$7.09CHF 5.59
$6.43CHF 5.07
10.26%
Potato(1kg)
$2.78CHF 2.19
$2.51CHF 1.98
10.76%
Onion(1kg)
$2.27CHF 1.79
$2.35CHF 1.85
-3.40%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.55CHF 2.01
$2.49CHF 1.96
2.41%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.73CHF 1.37
$1.39CHF 1.09
24.46%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$11.01CHF 8.68
$10.93CHF 8.62
0.73%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.50CHF 12.22
$16.11CHF 12.70
-3.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.24CHF 1.76
$2.01CHF 1.59
11.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95CHF 2.32
$3.20CHF 2.52
-7.81%
🚌 Getting Around
Dubendorf
Lausanne
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$7.71CHF 6.08
$4.74CHF 3.73
62.66%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$123CHF 97.1
$97.6CHF 77.0
26.21%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$6.87CHF 5.42
$7.98CHF 6.29
-13.91%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$4.25CHF 3.35
$3.26CHF 2.57
30.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$79.7CHF 62.9
$67.6CHF 53.3
18.03%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.31CHF 1.82
$2.15CHF 1.70
7.44%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.6KCHF 31.2K
$41.1KCHF 32.4K
-3.57%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.2KCHF 31.7K
$41.7KCHF 32.9K
-3.65%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dubendorf
Lausanne
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$260CHF 205
$322CHF 254
-19.12%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.53CHF 28.02
$50.3CHF 39.66
-29.36%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$52.7CHF 41.56
$57.6CHF 45.42
-8.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Dubendorf
Lausanne
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$87.4CHF 68.9
$76.0CHF 59.9
15.02%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$55.8CHF 43.96
$47.71CHF 37.61
16.85%
Cinema Ticket
$25.12CHF 19.80
$26.56CHF 20.94
-5.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Dubendorf
Lausanne
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,686CHF 2,118
$2,763CHF 2,178
-2.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$39.6KCHF 31.3K
$34.4KCHF 27.1K
15.42%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Dubendorf
Lausanne
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$147CHF 116
$110CHF 86.9
33.54%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$64.5CHF 50.8
$70.2CHF 55.4
-8.20%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$147CHF 116
$149CHF 117
-0.86%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$202CHF 159
$185CHF 146
9.13%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Dubendorf
Lausanne
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,855CHF 1,462
$1,834CHF 1,446
1.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,860CHF 1,467
$1,486CHF 1,172
25.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,681CHF 2,114
$3,523CHF 2,777
-23.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,917CHF 2,299
$2,944CHF 2,321
-0.92%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$14.0KCHF 11.1K
$19.6KCHF 15.4K
-28.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$10.0KCHF 7,885
$14.4KCHF 11.4K
-30.77%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Dubendorf
Lausanne
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,069CHF 3,208
$7,571CHF 5,969
-46.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2.5
2.5
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Dubendorf: June 2, 2026
Last update for Lausanne: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,855 in Dubendorf and $1,834 in Lausanne. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Lausanne pays 86% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $150 in Dubendorf vs $145 in Lausanne for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $667 vs $651 per month, with Lausanne cheaper across the board.
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
Dubendorf vs Lausanne: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Dubendorf and Lausanne?
Dubendorf and Lausanne differ by about 11% in total monthly costs ($3,974 vs $3,565 including rent). Lausanne is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Lausanne earns 86% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Dubendorf and Lausanne?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,855 in Dubendorf versus $1,834 in Lausanne. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Dubendorf or Lausanne?
All in, you'll spend $3,974 per month in Dubendorf versus $3,565 in Lausanne – a 11% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Dubendorf and Lausanne?
A monthly transit pass in Lausanne runs roughly 26% less than in Dubendorf. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Lausanne 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 Dubendorf and Lausanne?
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 Dubendorf or Lausanne safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Dubendorf and Lausanne 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: Dubendorf or Lausanne?
Expats usually find Lausanne gentler on the wallet – expenses run 11% less than in Dubendorf. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.