Cost of Living in Lucerne - Updated Prices & Insights

137.88
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,836 (excluding rent), and $3,902 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,825 (excluding rent), and $7,882 including rent.
Currency
Do you live in Lucerne? Add cost details
🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$36.78 CHF 29.91
$30.65 CHF 24.92
$79.7 CHF 64.8
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$144 CHF 117
$126 CHF 102
$629 CHF 511
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$15.73 CHF 12.79
$12.1 CHF 9.84
$16.94 CHF 13.77
Cappuccino
$6.5 CHF 5.29
$5.52 CHF 4.48
$7.36 CHF 5.98
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.16 CHF 4.19
$4.8 CHF 3.9
$7.19 CHF 5.85
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.19 CHF 3.41
$3.6 CHF 2.92
$6.59 CHF 5.36
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.87 CHF 7.22
$5.7 CHF 4.64
$12.43 CHF 10.1
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.56 CHF 6.15
$6.3 CHF 5.13
$10.09 CHF 8.2
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.25 CHF 1.83
$1.83 CHF 1.49
$2.44 CHF 1.98
White Bread (500g)
$3.85 CHF 3.13
$1.52 CHF 1.24
$5.7 CHF 4.63
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.05 CHF 3.29
$2.94 CHF 2.39
$5.94 CHF 4.83
Eggs
$7.62 CHF 6.19
$4.1 CHF 3.34
$11.5 CHF 9.35
Local Cheese (1kg)
$30.86 CHF 25.09
$27.3 CHF 22.19
$68.3 CHF 55.5
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$35.42 CHF 28.8
$24.68 CHF 20.07
$43.2 CHF 35.12
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$50.6 CHF 41.16
$41.36 CHF 33.63
$112 CHF 91.3
Apples (1kg)
$3.66 CHF 2.97
$2.42 CHF 1.97
$5.08 CHF 4.13
Banana (1kg)
$2.32 CHF 1.89
$1.63 CHF 1.32
$5.02 CHF 4.08
Oranges (1kg)
$3.01 CHF 2.44
$1.9 CHF 1.54
$4.42 CHF 3.59
Tomato (1kg)
$6.28 CHF 5.1
$3.67 CHF 2.98
$9.65 CHF 7.84
Potato (1kg)
$2.39 CHF 1.94
$1.2 CHF 0.98
$3.38 CHF 2.75
Onion (1kg)
$2.5 CHF 2.03
$1.88 CHF 1.53
$2.87 CHF 2.33
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.62 CHF 2.13
$1.96 CHF 1.6
$4.29 CHF 3.49
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.26 CHF 1.03
$0.75 CHF 0.61
$2.05 CHF 1.67
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.24 CHF 9.14
$10.73 CHF 8.73
$12.49 CHF 10.15
Wine (Bottle)
$15.22 CHF 12.38
$10.56 CHF 8.59
$31.07 CHF 25.26
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.39 CHF 1.94
$1.79 CHF 1.46
$2.99 CHF 2.43
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.42 CHF 2.78
$1.61 CHF 1.31
$6.21 CHF 5.05
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$4.89 CHF 3.97
$3.9 CHF 3.17
$9.04 CHF 7.35
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$99 CHF 80.5
$97.7 CHF 79.5
$99 CHF 80.5
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$8.28 CHF 6.73
$7.53 CHF 6.12
$8.78 CHF 7.14
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$4.55 CHF 3.7
$4.44 CHF 3.61
$4.55 CHF 3.7
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$89.1 CHF 72.4
$89.1 CHF 72.4
$89.1 CHF 72.4
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.24 CHF 1.82
$2.2 CHF 1.79
$2.4 CHF 1.95
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.9K CHF 32.5K
$39.9K CHF 32.5K
$39.9K CHF 32.5K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.8K CHF 34.8K
$42.8K CHF 34.8K
$43.5K CHF 35.4K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$243 CHF 197
$121 CHF 98.5
$346 CHF 281
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$73.4 CHF 59.6
$24.32 CHF 19.77
$85.1 CHF 69.2
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$57.1 CHF 46.41
$49.82 CHF 40.51
$62.3 CHF 50.6
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$92.8 CHF 75.5
$61.6 CHF 50
$123 CHF 100
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$45.21 CHF 36.76
$31.18 CHF 25.35
$45.21 CHF 36.76
Cinema Ticket
$22.08 CHF 17.96
$20.86 CHF 16.96
$27 CHF 21.95
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,932 CHF 2,384
$2,483 CHF 2,019
$3,725 CHF 3,029
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$42.5K CHF 34.5K
$30.6K CHF 24.9K
$53.9K CHF 43.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$137 CHF 112
$122 CHF 99.1
$183 CHF 149
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$75.8 CHF 61.6
$48.38 CHF 39.34
$121 CHF 98.6
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$133 CHF 108
$99.4 CHF 80.8
$224 CHF 182
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$163 CHF 132
$113 CHF 91.6
$188 CHF 153
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,029 CHF 1,650
$1,609 CHF 1,308
$3,279 CHF 2,666
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,801 CHF 1,464
$1,566 CHF 1,273
$1,879 CHF 1,528
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,950 CHF 2,399
$2,197 CHF 1,786
$3,662 CHF 2,977
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,884 CHF 2,345
$2,465 CHF 2,004
$4,190 CHF 3,407
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$10.7K CHF 8,662
$7,433 CHF 6,043
$13.4K CHF 10.9K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$8,966 CHF 7,290
$6,256 CHF 5,086
$10.6K CHF 8,647
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,850 CHF 5,570
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
2.5
2.5
2.5
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
City tags:
Cost of Living in Lucerne - Frequently Asked Questions
How affordable is Lucerne for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare to similar cities?
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.
What does daily life look like in Lucerne, including housing search, food options, transport, coworking, and errands?
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.
What budgeting framework and seasonal considerations help you choose neighborhoods and maintain quality of life in Lucerne?
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.
Join the CityCost newsletter – low traffic, no spam, and easy to unsubscribe. Your email stays private.