😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,897 in Dubendorf versus $3,525 in Meilen.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,905 in Dubendorf versus $5,499 in Meilen.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $7,912 in Dubendorf versus $7,473 in Meilen.
😐Living in Dubendorf is roughly 11% more expensive than Meilen, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Dubendorf190% above, Meilen162% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Dubendorf
Meilen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$30.43CHF 24.16
$31.08CHF 24.67
-2.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$149CHF 118
$145CHF 115
2.37%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$18.73CHF 14.87
$18.50CHF 14.69
1.24%
Cappuccino
$6.33CHF 5.03
$6.37CHF 5.06
-0.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.64CHF 4.48
$5.87CHF 4.66
-3.92%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.14CHF 4.08
$5.13CHF 4.07
0.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$7.41CHF 5.88
$8.38CHF 6.65
-11.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.88CHF 5.46
$7.27CHF 5.77
-5.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Dubendorf
Meilen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.14CHF 1.70
$2.31CHF 1.83
-7.36%
White Bread(500g)
$3.36CHF 2.67
$3.29CHF 2.61
2.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.91CHF 3.11
$4.05CHF 3.21
-3.46%
Eggs
$7.45CHF 5.92
$7.53CHF 5.98
-1.06%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$29.77CHF 23.63
$29.71CHF 23.58
0.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$32.02CHF 25.42
$33.41CHF 26.52
-4.16%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$50.3CHF 39.94
$50.4CHF 40.01
-0.18%
Apples(1kg)
$3.19CHF 2.53
$4.23CHF 3.36
-24.59%
Banana(1kg)
$2.90CHF 2.30
$2.41CHF 1.91
20.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.10CHF 2.46
$2.99CHF 2.37
3.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.99CHF 5.55
$5.18CHF 4.11
34.94%
Potato(1kg)
$2.77CHF 2.20
$2.51CHF 1.99
10.36%
Onion(1kg)
$2.39CHF 1.90
$2.24CHF 1.78
6.70%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.56CHF 2.03
$2.51CHF 1.99
1.99%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.67CHF 1.33
$1.13CHF 0.90
47.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$11.12CHF 8.83
$11.01CHF 8.74
1.00%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.86CHF 11.79
$15.27CHF 12.12
-2.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.21CHF 1.75
$2.16CHF 1.71
2.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97CHF 2.36
$2.29CHF 1.82
29.69%
🚌 Getting Around
Dubendorf
Meilen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$7.79CHF 6.18
$3.83CHF 3.04
103.39%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$125CHF 99.3
$96.8CHF 76.8
29.22%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$6.66CHF 5.29
$6.63CHF 5.26
0.45%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$4.25CHF 3.37
$4.11CHF 3.26
3.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$79.1CHF 62.8
$81.5CHF 64.7
-2.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.23CHF 1.77
$2.24CHF 1.78
-0.45%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.8KCHF 31.6K
$39.6KCHF 31.4K
0.50%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.1KCHF 31.8K
$38.9KCHF 30.9K
3.04%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dubendorf
Meilen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$265CHF 210
$256CHF 203
3.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.40CHF 28.11
$58.4CHF 46.34
-39.35%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$52.7CHF 41.82
$58.8CHF 46.71
-10.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Dubendorf
Meilen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$87.4CHF 69.4
$88.9CHF 70.5
-1.65%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$56.1CHF 44.51
$64.7CHF 51.4
-13.35%
Cinema Ticket
$25.10CHF 19.92
$27.31CHF 21.68
-8.09%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Dubendorf
Meilen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,678CHF 2,126
$2,795CHF 2,219
-4.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$39.3KCHF 31.2K
$40.1KCHF 31.8K
-1.86%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Dubendorf
Meilen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$147CHF 117
$140CHF 111
5.05%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$66.4CHF 52.7
$61.6CHF 48.92
7.68%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$149CHF 118
$147CHF 116
1.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$204CHF 162
$205CHF 163
-0.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Dubendorf
Meilen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,834CHF 1,456
$1,728CHF 1,372
6.12%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,855CHF 1,473
$1,468CHF 1,165
26.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,745CHF 2,179
$2,884CHF 2,290
-4.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,927CHF 2,324
$2,465CHF 1,957
18.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$16.3KCHF 13.0K
$24.8KCHF 19.7K
-34.20%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$11.9KCHF 9,434
$11.9KCHF 9,462
-0.30%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Dubendorf
Meilen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,036CHF 3,204
$8,694CHF 6,902
-53.58%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2.5
2.09
19.62%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Dubendorf: June 8, 2026
Last update for Meilen: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,834 in Dubendorf and $1,728 in Meilen. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Meilen pays 115% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $149 in Dubendorf vs $145 in Meilen for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $672 vs $665 per month, with Meilen 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 Meilen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Dubendorf and Meilen?
Dubendorf and Meilen differ by about 11% in total monthly costs ($3,897 vs $3,525 including rent). Meilen is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Meilen earns 115% 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 Meilen?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,834 in Dubendorf versus $1,728 in Meilen. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Dubendorf or Meilen?
All in, you'll spend $3,897 per month in Dubendorf versus $3,525 in Meilen – 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 Meilen?
A monthly transit pass in Meilen runs roughly 29% 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 $2,000 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,000. Meilen 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 Meilen?
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 Meilen safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Dubendorf and Meilen 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 Meilen?
Expats usually find Meilen 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.