Cost of Living in Lugano - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,695 (excluding rent), and $3,129 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,731 (excluding rent), and $7,576 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.76 CHF 24.70

$24.61 CHF 19.76

$43.07 CHF 34.58

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$186 CHF 149

$111 CHF 89.5

$223 CHF 179

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$18.72 CHF 15.04

$22.46 CHF 18.04

Cappuccino

$4.27 CHF 3.43

$2.41 CHF 1.94

$10.87 CHF 8.73

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

$4.90 CHF 3.93

$3.75 CHF 3.01

$6.25 CHF 5.01

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.17 CHF 3.35

$3.12 CHF 2.51

$5.62 CHF 4.51

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.32 CHF 5.88

$4.88 CHF 3.92

$9.77 CHF 7.84

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.49 CHF 6.02

$5.62 CHF 4.51

$7.49 CHF 6.02

Milk (1 liter)

$2.24 CHF 1.80

$2.18 CHF 1.75

$2.42 CHF 1.94

White Bread (500g)

$3.43 CHF 2.75

$1.44 CHF 1.15

$7.06 CHF 5.67

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.74 CHF 3.81

$3.05 CHF 2.45

$6.04 CHF 4.85

Eggs

$6.68 CHF 5.37

$4.18 CHF 3.36

$7.05 CHF 5.66

Local Cheese (1kg)

$26.86 CHF 21.57

$39.08 CHF 31.38

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$36.55 CHF 29.35

$17.74 CHF 14.25

$40.38 CHF 32.42

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$46.84 CHF 37.61

$41.05 CHF 32.97

$64.2 CHF 51.5

Apples (1kg)

$3.24 CHF 2.60

$2.53 CHF 2.03

$3.81 CHF 3.06

Banana (1kg)

$1.93 CHF 1.55

$1.56 CHF 1.25

$2.40 CHF 1.93

Oranges (1kg)

$2.49 CHF 2.00

$1.80 CHF 1.44

$5.38 CHF 4.32

Tomato (1kg)

$7.40 CHF 5.94

$2.15 CHF 1.72

$9.67 CHF 7.77

Potato (1kg)

$2.21 CHF 1.77

$1.46 CHF 1.18

$2.43 CHF 1.95

Onion (1kg)

$2.31 CHF 1.86

$1.88 CHF 1.51

$2.75 CHF 2.21

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.57 CHF 2.07

$2.56 CHF 2.06

$2.68 CHF 2.15

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.24 CHF 0.99

$0.72 CHF 0.58

$2.10 CHF 1.69

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.09 CHF 8.91

$10.03 CHF 8.06

$11.50 CHF 9.23

Wine (Bottle)

$12.70 CHF 10.20

$10.54 CHF 8.46

$18.59 CHF 14.93

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.57 CHF 2.06

$0.91 CHF 0.73

$3.64 CHF 2.92

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.17 CHF 3.35

$1.88 CHF 1.51

$5.00 CHF 4.02

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.15 CHF 2.53

$2.97 CHF 2.39

$3.15 CHF 2.53

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$88.0 CHF 70.7

$62.5 CHF 50.2

$110 CHF 88.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.61 CHF 5.31

$6.01 CHF 4.83

$24.04 CHF 19.30

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.37 CHF 3.51

$3.28 CHF 2.63

$4.37 CHF 3.51

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$62.3 CHF 50.1

$93.5 CHF 75.1

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.17 CHF 1.74

$2.13 CHF 1.71

$2.32 CHF 1.86

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

$39.7K CHF 31.9K

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

$37.1K CHF 29.8K

$34.0K CHF 27.3K

$40.2K CHF 32.2K

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

$206 CHF 165

$125 CHF 100

$498 CHF 400

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

$72.5 CHF 58.2

$30.57 CHF 24.55

$85.6 CHF 68.7

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$53.6 CHF 43.07

$44.96 CHF 36.10

$72.9 CHF 58.6

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$110 CHF 88.7

$61.2 CHF 49.17

$250 CHF 201

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$61.7 CHF 49.50

$41.59 CHF 33.40

$85.6 CHF 68.8

Cinema Ticket

$18.80 CHF 15.10

$25.07 CHF 20.13

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

$1,210 CHF 972

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$35.5K CHF 28.5K

$18.8K CHF 15.1K

$50.1K CHF 40.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$123 CHF 98.7

$73.1 CHF 58.7

$171 CHF 137

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$48.30 CHF 38.78

$37.26 CHF 29.92

$74.8 CHF 60.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$135 CHF 108

$74.6 CHF 59.9

$224 CHF 180

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$152 CHF 122

$99.4 CHF 79.8

$186 CHF 150

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,675 CHF 1,345

$1,479 CHF 1,188

$1,849 CHF 1,485

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,233 CHF 990

$971 CHF 779

$1,577 CHF 1,267

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,849 CHF 2,288

$2,106 CHF 1,691

$4,335 CHF 3,481

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,645 CHF 2,124

$2,105 CHF 1,690

$3,095 CHF 2,486

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$18.6K CHF 14.9K

$12.2K CHF 9,816

$25.7K CHF 20.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$13.7K CHF 11.0K

$10.7K CHF 8,620

$28.2K CHF 22.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,541 CHF 5,253

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.5

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

Last update: January 13, 2026

Lugano Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

227

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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.