Cost of Living in Lucerne - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Lucerne
Address: Lucerne, CH

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,849 (excluding rent), and $3,836 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,819 (excluding rent), and $7,775 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$37.63 CHF 30.28

$31.36 CHF 25.24

$81.5 CHF 65.6

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$144 CHF 116

$125 CHF 101

$626 CHF 504

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$16 CHF 12.88

$12.3 CHF 9.9

$17.23 CHF 13.86

Cappuccino

$6.69 CHF 5.39

$5.68 CHF 4.57

$7.58 CHF 6.1

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.36 CHF 4.32

$4.99 CHF 4.02

$7.48 CHF 6.02

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.28 CHF 3.44

$3.67 CHF 2.95

$6.73 CHF 5.41

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.68 CHF 6.99

$5.58 CHF 4.49

$12.15 CHF 9.78

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.54 CHF 6.07

$6.29 CHF 5.06

$10.06 CHF 8.1

Milk (1 liter)

$2.23 CHF 1.79

$1.82 CHF 1.46

$2.42 CHF 1.94

White Bread (500g)

$3.63 CHF 2.92

$1.44 CHF 1.16

$5.38 CHF 4.33

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.13 CHF 3.33

$3 CHF 2.41

$6.06 CHF 4.88

Eggs

$7.71 CHF 6.2

$4.15 CHF 3.34

$11.64 CHF 9.37

Local Cheese (1kg)

$31.15 CHF 25.07

$27.55 CHF 22.17

$68.9 CHF 55.4

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$34.71 CHF 27.93

$24.19 CHF 19.46

$42.32 CHF 34.06

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$52.1 CHF 41.91

$42.54 CHF 34.23

$115 CHF 92.9

Apples (1kg)

$3.66 CHF 2.94

$2.42 CHF 1.95

$5.08 CHF 4.09

Banana (1kg)

$2.3 CHF 1.85

$1.61 CHF 1.3

$4.96 CHF 3.99

Oranges (1kg)

$2.86 CHF 2.3

$1.81 CHF 1.45

$4.21 CHF 3.38

Tomato (1kg)

$6.18 CHF 4.98

$3.62 CHF 2.91

$9.51 CHF 7.65

Potato (1kg)

$2.47 CHF 1.98

$1.24 CHF 1

$3.49 CHF 2.81

Onion (1kg)

$2.41 CHF 1.94

$1.82 CHF 1.46

$2.78 CHF 2.24

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.65 CHF 2.13

$1.99 CHF 1.6

$4.34 CHF 3.5

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.27 CHF 1.02

$0.75 CHF 0.6

$2.06 CHF 1.66

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.95 CHF 8.81

$10.45 CHF 8.41

$12.16 CHF 9.79

Wine (Bottle)

$13.69 CHF 11.02

$10.58 CHF 8.52

$31.11 CHF 25.04

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.39 CHF 1.92

$1.8 CHF 1.45

$2.99 CHF 2.41

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.31 CHF 2.66

$1.56 CHF 1.26

$6.02 CHF 4.84

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.99 CHF 4.02

$3.99 CHF 3.21

$9.23 CHF 7.43

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$97.2 CHF 78.2

$96 CHF 77.2

$97.2 CHF 78.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$8.37 CHF 6.73

$7.61 CHF 6.12

$8.87 CHF 7.14

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.56 CHF 3.67

$4.45 CHF 3.58

$4.56 CHF 3.67

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$89.7 CHF 72.2

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.13 CHF 1.71

$2.09 CHF 1.68

$2.28 CHF 1.84

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$40.3K CHF 32.4K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$43.1K CHF 34.7K

$43.9K CHF 35.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$244 CHF 197

$122 CHF 98.1

$348 CHF 280

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$75.3 CHF 60.6

$24.95 CHF 20.08

$87.3 CHF 70.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$56.5 CHF 45.46

$49.3 CHF 39.68

$61.6 CHF 49.6

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$91.4 CHF 73.6

$60.6 CHF 48.8

$121 CHF 97.6

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$43.91 CHF 35.34

$30.29 CHF 24.37

$43.91 CHF 35.34

Cinema Ticket

$22.53 CHF 18.13

$21.28 CHF 17.13

$27.54 CHF 22.17

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,951 CHF 2,375

$2,500 CHF 2,012

$3,750 CHF 3,018

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$42.9K CHF 34.5K

$30.9K CHF 24.9K

$54.4K CHF 43.8K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$138 CHF 111

$123 CHF 98.7

$184 CHF 148

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$76.2 CHF 61.3

$48.65 CHF 39.15

$122 CHF 98.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$130 CHF 105

$97.5 CHF 78.4

$219 CHF 177

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$161 CHF 130

$112 CHF 89.7

$186 CHF 150

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,049 CHF 1,649

$1,624 CHF 1,307

$3,310 CHF 2,664

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,740 CHF 1,400

$1,513 CHF 1,218

$1,816 CHF 1,461

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,987 CHF 2,404

$2,225 CHF 1,790

$3,708 CHF 2,984

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,874 CHF 2,313

$2,456 CHF 1,977

$4,175 CHF 3,360

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$16.3K CHF 13.1K

$11.3K CHF 9,115

$23.9K CHF 19.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$8,716 CHF 7,015

$6,081 CHF 4,894

$10.3K CHF 8,320

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,887 CHF 5,543

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.5

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

Last update: November 23, 2025

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🇪🇺 Europe

Cost of Living in Lucerne - Frequently Asked Questions

Lucerne sits in the upper tier of European city living, where quality often comes with a higher price tag. For travelers and professionals who value safety, transport reliability, and cultural access, value tends to arrive in the form of efficiency rather than cheap price points. Expect strong service levels, clean streets, and excellent public transit; those assets contribute to a higher Cost of Living in Lucerne, Switzerland versus many regional hubs. Housing tends to be compact, but well maintained, and groceries reflect premium supermarket sourcing. Seasonal tourism can push prices up in peak months for accommodations, yet you can offset costs with longer stays and careful planning. Tip: align priorities – where you stay, how you move, and how you work.

Daily life in Lucerne comes with a calm rhythm mixed with efficient services. Housing options include compact apartments in well-kept neighborhoods near the lake or old town, with best results found through longer lease terms or local agents. Food choices range from seasonal produce at markets to premium groceries, with dining scenes that reward local sourcing and seasonal menus. Public transport is reliable and user-friendly; bikes and on-foot exploration also work well in town. For coworking, expect bright spaces with good connectivity and friendly communities. Knowing the Lucerne, Switzerland living cost helps you plan neighborhood choices and daily routines without chasing unreliable numbers. Tip: map your errands around non-peak hours to save time and stress.

Quality of life hinges on balancing core costs with lifestyle gains. Think in three buckets: core housing, mobility, and weekly routines. In Lucerne, choosing a neighborhood depends on your pace; Old Town is walkable with charm but rents skew high; the lakefront and university districts offer access to trails and markets. Build a flexible budget by prioritizing transit passes, seasonal groceries, and slow travel for weekend trips to mountains. Seasonal shifts influence crowds, hotel rates, and cafe crowding, so shoulder seasons can feel calmer. Neighborhoods with good coworking, banks, and groceries are ideal for longer stays. Tip: start your housing search with a local agent or trusted platform and plan a longer initial stay to test fit.