Cost of Living in Neuchatel - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,635 (excluding rent), and $3,423 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,614 (excluding rent), and $6,706 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$24.53 CHF 19.70

$22.07 CHF 17.73

$36.80 CHF 29.55

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$97.5 CHF 78.3

$67.0 CHF 53.8

$146 CHF 117

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$20.23 CHF 16.25

$15.94 CHF 12.80

$30.65 CHF 24.61

Cappuccino

$4.85 CHF 3.89

$3.74 CHF 3.00

$6.22 CHF 5.00

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

$4.78 CHF 3.84

$3.68 CHF 2.96

$5.88 CHF 4.72

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.86 CHF 3.10

$2.44 CHF 1.96

$4.88 CHF 3.92

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.47 CHF 6.80

$4.85 CHF 3.89

$10.90 CHF 8.75

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.13 CHF 4.92

$4.90 CHF 3.94

$8.57 CHF 6.88

Milk (1 liter)

$2.18 CHF 1.75

$1.74 CHF 1.40

$2.49 CHF 2.00

White Bread (500g)

$3.84 CHF 3.08

$2.24 CHF 1.80

$5.21 CHF 4.18

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.28 CHF 3.43

$3.07 CHF 2.47

$6.08 CHF 4.88

Eggs

$6.93 CHF 5.57

$5.67 CHF 4.55

$9.57 CHF 7.69

Local Cheese (1kg)

$31.37 CHF 25.19

$27.43 CHF 22.02

$42.40 CHF 34.04

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$32.13 CHF 25.80

$16.98 CHF 13.63

$40.01 CHF 32.12

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$48.67 CHF 39.08

$31.35 CHF 25.17

$62.7 CHF 50.3

Apples (1kg)

$5.37 CHF 4.31

$2.52 CHF 2.03

$8.34 CHF 6.70

Banana (1kg)

$3.19 CHF 2.56

$1.80 CHF 1.45

$6.00 CHF 4.82

Oranges (1kg)

$2.77 CHF 2.22

$1.65 CHF 1.32

$4.89 CHF 3.92

Tomato (1kg)

$5.91 CHF 4.75

$2.49 CHF 2.00

$9.85 CHF 7.91

Potato (1kg)

$2.90 CHF 2.33

$1.00 CHF 0.80

$3.74 CHF 3.00

Onion (1kg)

$2.48 CHF 1.99

$1.90 CHF 1.53

$2.53 CHF 2.03

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.23 CHF 1.79

$1.64 CHF 1.32

$2.65 CHF 2.13

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.63 CHF 1.31

$0.73 CHF 0.58

$2.41 CHF 1.94

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.00 CHF 8.83

Wine (Bottle)

$12.75 CHF 10.24

$10.20 CHF 8.19

$20.41 CHF 16.39

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.27 CHF 1.82

$1.19 CHF 0.96

$3.59 CHF 2.88

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.25 CHF 2.61

$1.80 CHF 1.45

$4.81 CHF 3.86

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.05 CHF 2.45

$2.51 CHF 2.02

$5.02 CHF 4.03

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$91.7 CHF 73.6

$86.7 CHF 69.6

$130 CHF 104

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$9.19 CHF 7.38

$7.35 CHF 5.90

$12.25 CHF 9.84

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.43 CHF 2.76

$5.71 CHF 4.59

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$77.6 CHF 62.3

$55.9 CHF 44.88

$99.4 CHF 79.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.22 CHF 1.79

$2.18 CHF 1.75

$2.49 CHF 2.00

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

$40.0K CHF 32.1K

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

$42.6K CHF 34.2K

$41.5K CHF 33.3K

$43.8K CHF 35.1K

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

$281 CHF 225

$247 CHF 198

$314 CHF 253

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

$62.6 CHF 50.2

$24.23 CHF 19.46

$84.0 CHF 67.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.00 CHF 29.71

$24.67 CHF 19.81

$49.33 CHF 39.61

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$91.2 CHF 73.3

$61.6 CHF 49.43

$103 CHF 83.0

Cinema Ticket

$21.98 CHF 17.65

$20.09 CHF 16.14

$43.96 CHF 35.30

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

$2,601 CHF 2,089

$2,212 CHF 1,776

$2,826 CHF 2,270

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$26.4K CHF 21.2K

$18.2K CHF 14.6K

$30.6K CHF 24.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$133 CHF 107

$84.5 CHF 67.9

$145 CHF 116

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$68.3 CHF 54.8

$48.42 CHF 38.88

$74.5 CHF 59.8

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$152 CHF 122

$123 CHF 98.8

$185 CHF 148

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$116 CHF 93.5

$85.8 CHF 68.9

$147 CHF 118

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,748 CHF 1,404

$1,373 CHF 1,103

$1,998 CHF 1,604

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,458 CHF 1,171

$1,125 CHF 903

$1,624 CHF 1,304

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,689 CHF 2,159

$1,844 CHF 1,481

$3,319 CHF 2,665

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,421 CHF 1,944

$2,216 CHF 1,779

$2,708 CHF 2,175

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$12.4K CHF 9,926

$10.8K CHF 8,653

$13.9K CHF 11.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$8,927 CHF 7,169

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,439 CHF 5,973

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: January 12, 2026

Neuchatel Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

341

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 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.