Cost of Living in Lugano - Updated Prices & Insights

135.83

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,739 (excluding rent), and $3,137 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,717 (excluding rent), and $7,613 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.57 CHF 24.85

$24.45 CHF 19.88

$42.8 CHF 34.8

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$183 CHF 149

$110 CHF 89.4

$220 CHF 179

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$18.46 CHF 15.01

$22.14 CHF 18

Cappuccino

$4.31 CHF 3.5

$2.43 CHF 1.98

$10.96 CHF 8.91

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

$4.72 CHF 3.84

$3.62 CHF 2.94

$6.03 CHF 4.9

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.03 CHF 3.28

$3.02 CHF 2.46

$5.44 CHF 4.42

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.25 CHF 5.89

$4.83 CHF 3.93

$9.67 CHF 7.86

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.33 CHF 5.96

$5.49 CHF 4.47

$7.33 CHF 5.96

Milk (1 liter)

$2.22 CHF 1.8

$2.16 CHF 1.76

$2.39 CHF 1.95

White Bread (500g)

$3.45 CHF 2.8

$1.44 CHF 1.17

$7.1 CHF 5.77

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.92 CHF 4

$3.16 CHF 2.57

$6.27 CHF 5.09

Eggs

$7.09 CHF 5.77

$4.44 CHF 3.61

$7.49 CHF 6.09

Local Cheese (1kg)

$26.66 CHF 21.68

$38.78 CHF 31.53

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$36.53 CHF 29.7

$17.73 CHF 14.42

$40.35 CHF 32.81

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$47.7 CHF 38.78

$41.81 CHF 33.99

$65.4 CHF 53.2

Apples (1kg)

$3.09 CHF 2.51

$2.41 CHF 1.96

$3.63 CHF 2.95

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 CHF 1.56

$1.55 CHF 1.26

$2.39 CHF 1.94

Oranges (1kg)

$2.51 CHF 2.04

$1.81 CHF 1.47

$5.42 CHF 4.41

Tomato (1kg)

$7.52 CHF 6.11

$2.18 CHF 1.77

$9.83 CHF 7.99

Potato (1kg)

$2.29 CHF 1.86

$1.52 CHF 1.23

$2.52 CHF 2.05

Onion (1kg)

$2.3 CHF 1.87

$1.86 CHF 1.51

$2.73 CHF 2.22

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.57 CHF 2.09

$2.56 CHF 2.08

$2.68 CHF 2.18

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.29 CHF 1.05

$0.75 CHF 0.61

$2.19 CHF 1.78

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.05 CHF 8.98

$10 CHF 8.13

$11.46 CHF 9.31

Wine (Bottle)

$10.5 CHF 8.54

$9.89 CHF 8.04

$14.82 CHF 12.05

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 CHF 2.13

$0.92 CHF 0.75

$3.72 CHF 3.02

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.22 CHF 3.43

$1.9 CHF 1.55

$5.07 CHF 4.12

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.16 CHF 2.57

$2.98 CHF 2.42

$3.16 CHF 2.57

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$87 CHF 70.7

$61.8 CHF 50.2

$109 CHF 88.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.79 CHF 5.52

$6.17 CHF 5.02

$24.68 CHF 20.06

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.37 CHF 3.55

$3.28 CHF 2.66

$4.37 CHF 3.55

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$61.4 CHF 49.92

$92.1 CHF 74.9

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.12 CHF 1.73

$2.09 CHF 1.7

$2.27 CHF 1.85

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

$39.9K CHF 32.4K

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

$36.9K CHF 30K

$33.8K CHF 27.5K

$40K CHF 32.5K

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

$204 CHF 166

$124 CHF 100

$494 CHF 402

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

$73.9 CHF 60.1

$31.14 CHF 25.32

$87.2 CHF 70.9

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$54 CHF 43.92

$45.28 CHF 36.81

$73.4 CHF 59.7

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$108 CHF 87.8

$59.9 CHF 48.71

$245 CHF 199

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$62.6 CHF 50.9

$42.22 CHF 34.33

$86.9 CHF 70.7

Cinema Ticket

$18.35 CHF 14.92

$24.47 CHF 19.9

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

$1,236 CHF 1,005

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$34.5K CHF 28.1K

$18.3K CHF 14.9K

$48.7K CHF 39.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$124 CHF 101

$73.6 CHF 59.8

$172 CHF 140

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.05 CHF 39.07

$37.07 CHF 30.14

$74.4 CHF 60.5

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$135 CHF 110

$74.9 CHF 60.9

$225 CHF 183

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$149 CHF 121

$97.3 CHF 79.1

$182 CHF 148

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,690 CHF 1,374

$1,493 CHF 1,214

$1,867 CHF 1,518

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,228 CHF 998

$966 CHF 786

$1,570 CHF 1,277

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,879 CHF 2,341

$2,128 CHF 1,730

$4,381 CHF 3,563

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,604 CHF 2,118

$2,072 CHF 1,685

$3,047 CHF 2,478

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$13K CHF 10.6K

$11.6K CHF 9,428

$15.3K CHF 12.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$14.6K CHF 11.9K

$8,520 CHF 6,928

$24.3K CHF 19.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,325 CHF 5,143

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.5

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

City tags:

🇪🇺 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.