Cost of Living in Neuchatel - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,700 (excluding rent), and $3,363 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,448 (excluding rent), and $6,742 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.25 CHF 19.52

$21.82 CHF 17.56

$36.38 CHF 29.28

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 CHF 80.5

$68.7 CHF 55.3

$150 CHF 121

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$20.22 CHF 16.27

$15.93 CHF 12.82

$30.63 CHF 24.65

Cappuccino

$4.67 CHF 3.76

$3.6 CHF 2.9

$6 CHF 4.83

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

$4.68 CHF 3.76

$3.6 CHF 2.9

$5.76 CHF 4.63

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.81 CHF 3.07

$2.4 CHF 1.93

$4.82 CHF 3.88

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.75 CHF 7.04

$5 CHF 4.03

$11.25 CHF 9.06

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.07 CHF 4.88

$4.86 CHF 3.91

$8.49 CHF 6.83

Milk (1 liter)

$2.2 CHF 1.77

$1.76 CHF 1.42

$2.52 CHF 2.03

White Bread (500g)

$3.71 CHF 2.99

$2.16 CHF 1.74

$5.04 CHF 4.05

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.18 CHF 3.36

$3 CHF 2.41

$5.94 CHF 4.78

Eggs

$7.03 CHF 5.66

$5.75 CHF 4.63

$9.71 CHF 7.81

Local Cheese (1kg)

$31.22 CHF 25.13

$27.29 CHF 21.96

$42.19 CHF 33.95

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$32.94 CHF 26.51

$17.4 CHF 14.01

$41.01 CHF 33.01

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$47.55 CHF 38.27

$30.63 CHF 24.65

$61.3 CHF 49.3

Apples (1kg)

$5.17 CHF 4.16

$2.43 CHF 1.96

$8.04 CHF 6.47

Banana (1kg)

$3.34 CHF 2.68

$1.89 CHF 1.52

$6.28 CHF 5.06

Oranges (1kg)

$2.84 CHF 2.28

$1.69 CHF 1.36

$5.01 CHF 4.03

Tomato (1kg)

$5.67 CHF 4.56

$2.39 CHF 1.92

$9.44 CHF 7.6

Potato (1kg)

$2.79 CHF 2.25

$0.96 CHF 0.78

$3.6 CHF 2.9

Onion (1kg)

$2.48 CHF 2

$1.91 CHF 1.53

$2.53 CHF 2.04

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.14 CHF 1.72

$1.57 CHF 1.26

$2.54 CHF 2.04

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.64 CHF 1.32

$0.73 CHF 0.59

$2.42 CHF 1.95

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.95 CHF 8.81

Wine (Bottle)

$12.46 CHF 10.03

$9.97 CHF 8.02

$21.81 CHF 17.55

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.38 CHF 1.91

$1.25 CHF 1.01

$3.76 CHF 3.03

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.39 CHF 2.73

$1.89 CHF 1.52

$5.03 CHF 4.04

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.06 CHF 2.46

$2.52 CHF 2.03

$5.03 CHF 4.05

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$92.4 CHF 74.3

$87.4 CHF 70.3

$131 CHF 105

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$9.09 CHF 7.31

$7.27 CHF 5.85

$12.11 CHF 9.75

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.4 CHF 2.73

$5.65 CHF 4.55

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$77.4 CHF 62.3

$55.7 CHF 44.86

$99.1 CHF 79.7

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.12 CHF 1.7

$2.08 CHF 1.67

$2.37 CHF 1.91

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

$40.7K CHF 32.8K

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

$41.4K CHF 33.3K

$40.3K CHF 32.4K

$42.4K CHF 34.2K

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

$281 CHF 226

$247 CHF 199

$315 CHF 253

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

$64.3 CHF 51.7

$24.89 CHF 20.03

$86.3 CHF 69.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$36.66 CHF 29.5

$24.44 CHF 19.67

$48.88 CHF 39.34

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$90.2 CHF 72.6

$60.9 CHF 48.98

$102 CHF 82.3

Cinema Ticket

$21.36 CHF 17.19

$19.53 CHF 15.72

$42.72 CHF 34.38

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

$2,611 CHF 2,101

$2,220 CHF 1,787

$2,837 CHF 2,283

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$26.4K CHF 21.3K

$18.2K CHF 14.7K

$30.6K CHF 24.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$136 CHF 110

$86.7 CHF 69.8

$149 CHF 120

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$68.6 CHF 55.2

$48.67 CHF 39.17

$74.9 CHF 60.3

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$155 CHF 124

$125 CHF 101

$188 CHF 151

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$117 CHF 94.4

$86.4 CHF 69.6

$148 CHF 119

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,703 CHF 1,371

$1,338 CHF 1,077

$1,946 CHF 1,566

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,427 CHF 1,149

$1,101 CHF 886

$1,591 CHF 1,280

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,688 CHF 2,163

$1,843 CHF 1,483

$3,317 CHF 2,670

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,434 CHF 1,959

$2,228 CHF 1,793

$2,723 CHF 2,191

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$12.1K CHF 9,719

$10.5K CHF 8,473

$13.6K CHF 11K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$8,620 CHF 6,937

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,516 CHF 6,049

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.42

2.5

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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🇪🇺 Europe

Cost of Living in Neuchatel - Frequently Asked Questions

Neuchatel sits in the more expensive tier among Swiss towns, yet it can offer good value for certain profiles. Cost of Living in Neuchatel, Switzerland reflects the balance of strong public services, safety, and a compact city scale, with rent and utilities often the main budget driver. For travelers and long stays, flexible options like monthly rentals or shared flats can soften the sticker price. For longer-term expats, explore shared housing, student accommodations, or nearby towns with easier commuting. Tip: align your arrival with early-season housing viewings and use local transport passes to save on travel.

Most days revolve around a compact city layout with easy walking routes and a strong bike culture. Housing search tends to focus on older buildings in town cores or modern studio conversions on the outskirts; negotiate for longer leases to snag better terms. Grocery options include local markets and cooperative shops, with seasonal produce boosting value. Transit runs on reliable Swiss timetables: buses, trams, and nearby train links connect you to Geneva or Bern efficiently. Co-working spaces are plentiful for digital nomads, often with flexible passes. For quick budgeting comparisons, consider the Neuchatel, Switzerland living cost alongside neighboring towns. Tip: start with neighborhoods near the lake or the university for accessible amenities and quieter evenings.

Quality of life in Neuchatel blends a scenic setting with compact urban life. A practical budgeting framework: separate essentials from discretionary spend, track rent and transport, and anticipate seasonal shifts. Summer markets and lake activities boost outdoor life; winters can be cozy but demand more heating. Neighborhood fit matters: lakefront zones offer social energy and easy strolls; hillside areas provide quiet and views. Practical tips: use seasonal shopping, bulk buys, and free community resources; pick a transit pass to simplify costs. Tip: map a three‑month trial of neighborhoods before committing to a lease.