Cost of Living in Schaffhausen - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $3,172 monthly including rent, or $1,794 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $4,928 with rent, or $3,001 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $6,685 including rent, or $4,208 for daily expenses alone.

Schaffhausen sits about 137% above the global median. Within Europe, costs are 77% above average – among the most expensive in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$31.30 CHF 25.55

$18.78 CHF 15.33

$81.4 CHF 66.4

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$122 CHF 99.4

$97.5 CHF 79.6

$610 CHF 498

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$16.11 CHF 13.15

$12.39 CHF 10.11

$18.59 CHF 15.17

Cappuccino

$5.68 CHF 4.63

$3.79 CHF 3.10

$7.57 CHF 6.18

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

$5.36 CHF 4.37

$4.99 CHF 4.07

$7.47 CHF 6.10

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.37 CHF 3.57

$3.75 CHF 3.06

$6.88 CHF 5.61

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.99 CHF 6.52

$5.52 CHF 4.51

$12.03 CHF 9.82

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.57 CHF 6.18

$6.31 CHF 5.15

$10.09 CHF 8.24

Milk (1 liter)

$1.96 CHF 1.60

$1.37 CHF 1.12

$2.48 CHF 2.03

White Bread (500g)

$3.78 CHF 3.09

$1.50 CHF 1.22

$6.23 CHF 5.09

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.69 CHF 3.01

$1.52 CHF 1.24

$6.27 CHF 5.12

Eggs

$7.84 CHF 6.40

$4.22 CHF 3.45

$11.84 CHF 9.66

Local Cheese (1kg)

$29.80 CHF 24.32

$18.62 CHF 15.20

$68.3 CHF 55.7

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$35.49 CHF 28.97

$19.92 CHF 16.26

$43.59 CHF 35.58

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$51.0 CHF 41.59

$18.42 CHF 15.04

$113 CHF 92.2

Apples (1kg)

$3.69 CHF 3.01

$1.84 CHF 1.50

$5.50 CHF 4.49

Banana (1kg)

$2.26 CHF 1.84

$1.58 CHF 1.29

$4.88 CHF 3.98

Oranges (1kg)

$2.88 CHF 2.35

$1.82 CHF 1.49

$4.24 CHF 3.46

Tomato (1kg)

$6.10 CHF 4.98

$3.07 CHF 2.51

$9.71 CHF 7.92

Potato (1kg)

$2.49 CHF 2.03

$1.26 CHF 1.03

$3.52 CHF 2.88

Onion (1kg)

$2.48 CHF 2.03

$1.87 CHF 1.52

$2.86 CHF 2.33

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.67 CHF 2.18

$2.00 CHF 1.63

$4.38 CHF 3.57

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.27 CHF 1.04

$0.50 CHF 0.41

$2.50 CHF 2.04

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.94 CHF 8.93

$10.45 CHF 8.53

$12.15 CHF 9.92

Wine (Bottle)

$13.42 CHF 10.95

$10.66 CHF 8.70

$22.57 CHF 18.42

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.36 CHF 1.11

$0.94 CHF 0.76

$3.13 CHF 2.56

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.60 CHF 2.12

$1.20 CHF 0.98

$6.01 CHF 4.90

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.95 CHF 3.22

$3.76 CHF 3.07

$6.52 CHF 5.32

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$85.7 CHF 69.9

$61.8 CHF 50.5

$104 CHF 84.9

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$10.05 CHF 8.20

$6.28 CHF 5.12

$12.55 CHF 10.25

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.04 CHF 3.30

$3.37 CHF 2.75

$4.60 CHF 3.76

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$61.9 CHF 50.5

$89.1 CHF 72.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.13 CHF 1.74

$2.09 CHF 1.71

$2.41 CHF 1.97

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

$39.7K CHF 32.4K

$42.4K CHF 34.6K

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

$42.4K CHF 34.6K

$55.5K CHF 45.3K

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

$247 CHF 202

$123 CHF 101

$353 CHF 288

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

$28.70 CHF 23.42

$12.25 CHF 10.00

$86.2 CHF 70.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$42.94 CHF 35.05

$36.84 CHF 30.07

$61.4 CHF 50.1

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$109 CHF 88.6

$60.7 CHF 49.51

$131 CHF 107

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$47.47 CHF 38.74

$18.58 CHF 15.16

$86.7 CHF 70.8

Cinema Ticket

$22.34 CHF 18.24

$21.10 CHF 17.23

$27.31 CHF 22.29

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

$3,354 CHF 2,738

$2,857 CHF 2,332

$3,727 CHF 3,042

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$43.5K CHF 35.5K

$31.3K CHF 25.6K

$55.2K CHF 45.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$112 CHF 91.4

$61.1 CHF 49.84

$183 CHF 150

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$67.7 CHF 55.2

$24.61 CHF 20.08

$123 CHF 100

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$133 CHF 109

$99.5 CHF 81.2

$311 CHF 254

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$154 CHF 126

$110 CHF 89.5

$183 CHF 149

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,226 CHF 1,001

$1,060 CHF 865

$1,372 CHF 1,119

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,247 CHF 1,018

$998 CHF 814

$1,496 CHF 1,221

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,660 CHF 2,171

$2,176 CHF 1,776

$3,144 CHF 2,566

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,215 CHF 1,808

$1,504 CHF 1,228

$2,883 CHF 2,353

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,226 CHF 6,714

$4,319 CHF 3,525

$10.5K CHF 8,561

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$8,564 CHF 6,990

$8,029 CHF 6,553

$9,017 CHF 7,360

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,453 CHF 6,083

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.5

3.25

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

Last update: July 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $1,226 for a central one-bedroom, or $1,247 outside the center. At 16% of the average salary ($7,453), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $7,453, while typical expenses reach $3,172. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.

Expect to spend about $675 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $122 for two – above the European average of $75.0.

Public transport is priced at around $85.7 per month – above the European average of $48.00.

Cost Highlights

Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is among the 20 most expensive worldwide (out of 7,425 cities)

Chicken fillets is among the 20 most expensive worldwide (out of 7,550 cities)

Gym membership is more expensive than 99% of cities in Europe

Schaffhausen Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

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 Schaffhausen - Frequently Asked Questions

Schaffhausen offers a high standard of living with reliable services and safety. For many, Cost of Living in Schaffhausen, Switzerland sits toward the higher end by global standards, but the city delivers efficiency, safety, and a compact layout that reduces some daily costs like transport time. You trade bigger-city crowds for steadier prices in some services, and housing varies by neighborhood. Short stays can feel pricey, but longer rentals or shared options can improve value, while proximity to nature and the Rhine region adds appeal. The payoff is easier daily routines and quick weekend trips to nearby towns. Tip: map a realistic monthly plan around housing, transit, and groceries.

Housing search involves balancing central charm with space and price. Look for older buildings in Altstadt or newer blocks on the outskirts; leases often require paperwork and sometimes a guarantor, so start early. Food options range from reliable supermarkets to seasonal farmers markets and cozy bakeries; weekly staples align with Swiss quality, while dining out can be pricey but occasional meals are worth it. Transport is efficient: trains connect to Zurich, Basel, and nearby towns; cycling and walking are practical in good weather. Co-working spaces offer day passes or monthly desks. Schaffhausen, Switzerland living cost informs how you allocate funds across housing, groceries, and transit. Tip: pick a neighborhood walkable to both work and nature.

Quality of life here blends safety, efficient services, and easy access to nature. A practical budgeting framework focuses on core needs (housing, groceries, transit) and flexible spends (restaurants, weekend trips). Seek a balance between quiet residential streets and a livelier center to match your pace. Seasonality shifts matter: winters are cozy with indoor options, summers invite river walks and nearby hikes, which affects activities and spending. To save, consider long-term rentals, utility-conscious living, and transit passes; shop at markets for fresh seasonal produce; choose coworking spaces during workdays and reserve free or low-cost public events for social time. Tip: set a monthly rhythm that prioritizes housing, transit, and groceries, then allow room for local experiences.

Budget at least $3,172 per month to live in Schaffhausen once rent is factored in. The high price tag reflects quality infrastructure and a strong economy, but it does mean you need a decent income to live comfortably here.

With 16% of the average paycheck going to rent, Schaffhausen is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.

At $7,453 take-home, most residents in Schaffhausen can cover the $3,172 monthly cost of living. Those earning $4,758 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.

Where you live in Schaffhausen makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $1,226; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $1,247. Overall, the market runs from $1,247 to $1,226 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.

At around $109 monthly, gym costs in Schaffhausen are on the steep side. The price tracks with the city's overall high cost of services, though annual contracts and promotional deals can cut the bill.

Schaffhausen isn't cheap for groceries. Monthly bills reach $675 for a single person, and even basic items cost more than in most comparable cities. Cooking at home is still the most economical approach.

At $3,172 in typical monthly expenses, a $2,000 budget barely covers Schaffhausen. You'd need a shared flat in an outer area, home-cooked meals, and serious discipline with discretionary spending to make it work.

Schaffhausen offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value fast internet, low crime rates, clean air, and at around $3,172 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.