Cost of Living Comparison Between Zurich and Wil Cost of Living Comparison Between Zurich and Wil

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,715 per month in Zurich vs $3,078 in Wil, rent included.

A couple spends around $7,006 per month in Zurich vs $4,648 in Wil, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,297 per month in Zurich vs $6,217 in Wil, rent included.

Zurich costs about 53% more than Wil, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Zurich and Wil sit above the global median – Zurich by 242%, Wil by 123%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Zurich
Wil
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$36.39 CHF 29.69
$29.98 CHF 24.47
21.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$148 CHF 121
$147 CHF 120
1.07%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$18.59 CHF 15.17
$24.52 CHF 20.01
-24.18%
Cappuccino
$7.14 CHF 5.83
$6.10 CHF 4.98
17.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.83 CHF 4.76
$6.17 CHF 5.04
-5.51%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.34 CHF 4.36
$5.35 CHF 4.37
-0.19%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$9.98 CHF 8.14
$9.24 CHF 7.54
8.01%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.68 CHF 7.09
$6.60 CHF 5.38
31.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Zurich
Wil
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.21 CHF 1.81
$2.24 CHF 1.83
-1.34%
White Bread (500g)
$3.96 CHF 3.23
$4.11 CHF 3.35
-3.65%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.02 CHF 3.28
$3.90 CHF 3.18
3.08%
Eggs
$8.46 CHF 6.91
$8.10 CHF 6.61
4.44%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$27.66 CHF 22.57
$27.43 CHF 22.39
0.84%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$27.66 CHF 22.57
$29.55 CHF 24.11
-6.40%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$61.1 CHF 49.82
$42.76 CHF 34.89
42.77%
Apples (1kg)
$4.15 CHF 3.39
$3.80 CHF 3.10
9.21%
Banana (1kg)
$2.89 CHF 2.35
$2.09 CHF 1.70
38.28%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.57 CHF 2.91
$2.49 CHF 2.03
43.37%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.81 CHF 3.93
$5.46 CHF 4.46
-11.90%
Potato (1kg)
$2.69 CHF 2.20
$2.06 CHF 1.68
30.58%
Onion (1kg)
$2.19 CHF 1.79
$2.15 CHF 1.75
1.86%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.59 CHF 2.11
$2.37 CHF 1.93
9.28%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.33 CHF 1.09
$1.26 CHF 1.03
5.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.24 CHF 9.17
$10.91 CHF 8.90
3.02%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.77 CHF 11.24
$18.44 CHF 15.05
-25.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.78 CHF 2.27
$2.21 CHF 1.80
25.79%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.21 CHF 2.62
$2.28 CHF 1.86
40.79%
🚌 Getting Around
Zurich
Wil
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$5.74 CHF 4.68
$3.93 CHF 3.20
46.06%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$110 CHF 90.0
$92.6 CHF 75.6
19.05%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$8.58 CHF 7.00
$6.73 CHF 5.49
27.49%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$4.58 CHF 3.74
$4.86 CHF 3.97
-5.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$91.6 CHF 74.7
$78.9 CHF 64.4
16.12%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.30 CHF 1.88
$2.27 CHF 1.85
1.32%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$40.9K CHF 33.4K
$35.1K CHF 28.6K
16.73%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.9K CHF 32.5K
$40.8K CHF 33.3K
-2.28%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zurich
Wil
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$289 CHF 236
$237 CHF 193
22.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$39.21 CHF 32.00
$38.59 CHF 31.50
1.61%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$57.7 CHF 47.08
$54.3 CHF 44.33
6.19%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Zurich
Wil
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$91.8 CHF 74.9
$84.2 CHF 68.7
9.10%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$63.0 CHF 51.4
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$25.56 CHF 20.86
$27.89 CHF 22.76
-8.35%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Zurich
Wil
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$3,721 CHF 3,037
$2,347 CHF 1,916
58.52%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$44.0K CHF 35.9K
$33.5K CHF 27.3K
31.53%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Zurich
Wil
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$144 CHF 118
$150 CHF 123
-4.19%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.4 CHF 48.47
$68.7 CHF 56.0
-13.51%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$170 CHF 138
$147 CHF 120
15.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$267 CHF 218
$275 CHF 225
-3.01%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Zurich
Wil
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,117 CHF 2,543
$1,505 CHF 1,229
107.02%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,438 CHF 1,989
$1,134 CHF 925
115.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$6,299 CHF 5,141
$2,139 CHF 1,746
194.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$4,288 CHF 3,499
$1,503 CHF 1,227
185.27%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$27.6K CHF 22.6K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$16.4K CHF 13.4K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Zurich
Wil
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$8,393 CHF 6,849
$4,454 CHF 3,635
88.43%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
2.07
1.9
8.95%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Zurich: September 5, 2026

Last update for Wil: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $3,117 in Zurich versus $1,505 in Wil. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 88% higher in Zurich, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $148 in Zurich versus $147 in Wil. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $679 vs $626 – making Wil the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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
Zurich vs Wil: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Zurich and in Wil compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $4,715 in Zurich, $3,078 in Wil – roughly 53% apart. Zurich costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Zurich compared to Wil?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $7,072 per month in Zurich and $4,617 in Wil. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Zurich and Wil?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Wil, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in Zurich and in Wil?
Public transport costs about 19% less in Wil. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Zurich and Wil?
Kindergarten costs $3,721 per month in Zurich and $2,347 in Wil. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,715 in Zurich and $3,078 in Wil. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between Zurich and Wil?
It depends on your priorities. Zurich has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,078 in Wil to $4,715 in Zurich. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Zurich or Wil 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 – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Zurich and Wil?
If budget matters most, go with Wil. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Zurich makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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