Cost of Living in Lugano - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,724 (excluding rent), and $3,128 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,723 (excluding rent), and $7,508 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.89 CHF 24.81

$24.71 CHF 19.85

$43.24 CHF 34.74

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$186 CHF 149

$111 CHF 89.5

$223 CHF 179

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$18.75 CHF 15.06

$22.49 CHF 18.07

Cappuccino

$4.45 CHF 3.58

$2.51 CHF 2.02

$11.32 CHF 9.1

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

$4.76 CHF 3.83

$3.65 CHF 2.93

$6.07 CHF 4.88

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.16 CHF 3.35

$3.12 CHF 2.51

$5.61 CHF 4.51

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.45 CHF 5.99

$4.97 CHF 3.99

$9.94 CHF 7.99

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.45 CHF 5.99

$5.59 CHF 4.49

$7.45 CHF 5.99

Milk (1 liter)

$2.32 CHF 1.86

$2.26 CHF 1.81

$2.5 CHF 2.01

White Bread (500g)

$3.49 CHF 2.81

$1.46 CHF 1.18

$7.19 CHF 5.78

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.71 CHF 3.78

$3.03 CHF 2.43

$5.99 CHF 4.81

Eggs

$6.82 CHF 5.48

$4.26 CHF 3.43

$7.19 CHF 5.78

Local Cheese (1kg)

$26.62 CHF 21.38

$38.72 CHF 31.11

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$37.37 CHF 30.02

$18.13 CHF 14.57

$41.27 CHF 33.16

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$47.84 CHF 38.43

$41.93 CHF 33.69

$65.6 CHF 52.7

Apples (1kg)

$3.18 CHF 2.55

$2.48 CHF 2

$3.74 CHF 3

Banana (1kg)

$1.96 CHF 1.58

$1.59 CHF 1.28

$2.44 CHF 1.96

Oranges (1kg)

$2.62 CHF 2.1

$1.89 CHF 1.52

$5.66 CHF 4.55

Tomato (1kg)

$7.27 CHF 5.84

$2.11 CHF 1.7

$9.51 CHF 7.64

Potato (1kg)

$2.17 CHF 1.74

$1.44 CHF 1.16

$2.39 CHF 1.92

Onion (1kg)

$2.23 CHF 1.79

$1.81 CHF 1.45

$2.65 CHF 2.13

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.58 CHF 2.07

$2.57 CHF 2.06

$2.69 CHF 2.16

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.26 CHF 1.01

$0.73 CHF 0.59

$2.14 CHF 1.72

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.08 CHF 8.9

$10.02 CHF 8.05

$11.49 CHF 9.23

Wine (Bottle)

$10.7 CHF 8.6

$3.77 CHF 3.03

$18.87 CHF 15.16

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.56 CHF 2.05

$0.9 CHF 0.72

$3.63 CHF 2.91

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.13 CHF 3.31

$1.86 CHF 1.49

$4.95 CHF 3.98

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.25 CHF 2.61

$3.07 CHF 2.46

$3.25 CHF 2.61

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$89 CHF 71.5

$63.2 CHF 50.8

$111 CHF 89.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.59 CHF 5.29

$5.99 CHF 4.81

$23.95 CHF 19.24

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.39 CHF 3.53

$3.29 CHF 2.65

$4.39 CHF 3.53

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$61.4 CHF 49.36

$92.2 CHF 74

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.23 CHF 1.79

$2.19 CHF 1.76

$2.39 CHF 1.92

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

$40.2K CHF 32.3K

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

$37.9K CHF 30.5K

$34.8K CHF 27.9K

$41.1K CHF 33K

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

$199 CHF 160

$121 CHF 97.1

$484 CHF 389

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

$71.9 CHF 57.7

$30.3 CHF 24.34

$84.8 CHF 68.2

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$54.4 CHF 43.72

$45.61 CHF 36.64

$74 CHF 59.4

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$107 CHF 85.7

$59.2 CHF 47.52

$241 CHF 194

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$60.9 CHF 48.94

$41.1 CHF 33.02

$84.6 CHF 68

Cinema Ticket

$18.41 CHF 14.79

$24.55 CHF 19.72

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

$1,222 CHF 982

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$34.4K CHF 27.7K

$18.2K CHF 14.6K

$48.6K CHF 39.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$124 CHF 99.5

$73.7 CHF 59.2

$172 CHF 138

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48 CHF 38.57

$37.03 CHF 29.75

$74.3 CHF 59.7

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$133 CHF 107

$73.4 CHF 59

$220 CHF 177

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$149 CHF 120

$97.4 CHF 78.3

$183 CHF 147

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,659 CHF 1,333

$1,465 CHF 1,177

$1,832 CHF 1,472

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,235 CHF 992

$972 CHF 781

$1,579 CHF 1,269

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,825 CHF 2,270

$2,088 CHF 1,678

$4,299 CHF 3,454

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,679 CHF 2,153

$2,132 CHF 1,713

$3,135 CHF 2,519

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$17.3K CHF 13.9K

$15.3K CHF 12.3K

$18.4K CHF 14.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$18K CHF 14.4K

$8,606 CHF 6,914

$28.3K CHF 22.7K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,011 CHF 5,633

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 24, 2025

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🇪🇺 Europe

Cost of Living in Lugano - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with Zurich or Geneva, Lugano offers a distinct Swiss experience with a milder climate and lake life. The Cost of Living in Lugano sits on the higher side, reflecting quality services, safety, and efficient public transport. You’ll pay for lakefront views, central locations, and turnkey apartments, but you can find more affordable options a short bus ride away or in quieter districts with longer lease terms. Dining ranges from premium restaurants to seasonal markets where locals shop for fresh produce. Seasonal tourism can push prices at peak times, so plan accommodations ahead. Tip: Book well in advance and explore nearby districts for better value.

Daily life leans on efficiency and a high standard of living. For housing, many nomads start with longer-term rentals or serviced apartments near the lake or the city center, then scale to a smaller place if needed. Food options range from markets with fresh produce to casual eateries and reliable grocery chains; cooking at home helps manage costs. Public transport is clean and reliable, with ferries linking lake towns and frequent buses to neighborhoods. Co-working spaces and libraries offer quiet work zones, while errands are straightforward with nearby shops and bakeries. Lugano living cost varies by district, so compare commute times and lease terms. Tip: Tap into co-working communities and local expat groups to surface short-term rentals that fit your schedule!

Quality of life in Lugano hinges on balance: a reliable pace, outdoor recreation, and easy access to both mountains and lake. Budgeting works well with a simple framework – rent, utilities, groceries, transport, and leisure – then pad for one-off costs like utilities in winter and season tickets. To maximize value, explore neighborhoods beyond the tourist core, such as hillside communities with good transit links, or university-adjacent areas with smaller apartments. Seasonal rhythms matter: summer lake events attract crowds but offer outdoor markets, while winter can bring lower prices and quieter streets. Tip: Build a rotation of neighborhood visits to feel where you’ll fit best and track your monthly spends against a realistic plan.