Cost of Living in Schaffhausen - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $3,151 monthly including rent, or $1,562 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $4,931 with rent, or $2,998 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $6,712 including rent, or $4,433 for daily expenses alone.

Schaffhausen sits about 135% above the global median. Within Europe, costs are 75% above average – among the most expensive in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$31.31 CHF 24.55

$18.78 CHF 14.73

$81.4 CHF 63.8

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$125 CHF 98.1

$100 CHF 78.5

$627 CHF 492

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$15.86 CHF 12.43

$12.19 CHF 9.56

$18.29 CHF 14.34

Cappuccino

$5.43 CHF 4.26

$3.63 CHF 2.84

$7.24 CHF 5.68

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

$5.42 CHF 4.25

$5.04 CHF 3.95

$7.55 CHF 5.92

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.42 CHF 3.47

$3.80 CHF 2.98

$6.95 CHF 5.45

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.20 CHF 6.43

$5.67 CHF 4.45

$12.35 CHF 9.69

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.59 CHF 5.95

$6.33 CHF 4.96

$10.13 CHF 7.94

Milk (1 liter)

$1.90 CHF 1.49

$1.33 CHF 1.04

$2.40 CHF 1.89

White Bread (500g)

$3.79 CHF 2.97

$1.50 CHF 1.17

$6.23 CHF 4.89

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.55 CHF 2.79

$1.46 CHF 1.15

$6.04 CHF 4.73

Eggs

$7.66 CHF 6.01

$4.13 CHF 3.23

$11.57 CHF 9.07

Local Cheese (1kg)

$29.66 CHF 23.25

$18.54 CHF 14.53

$68.0 CHF 53.3

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$35.28 CHF 27.66

$19.81 CHF 15.53

$43.33 CHF 33.97

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$51.8 CHF 40.59

$18.72 CHF 14.67

$115 CHF 90.0

Apples (1kg)

$3.77 CHF 2.95

$1.87 CHF 1.47

$5.61 CHF 4.40

Banana (1kg)

$2.24 CHF 1.76

$1.57 CHF 1.23

$4.85 CHF 3.80

Oranges (1kg)

$2.87 CHF 2.25

$1.81 CHF 1.42

$4.22 CHF 3.31

Tomato (1kg)

$6.02 CHF 4.72

$3.03 CHF 2.38

$9.57 CHF 7.50

Potato (1kg)

$2.46 CHF 1.93

$1.24 CHF 0.97

$3.48 CHF 2.73

Onion (1kg)

$2.44 CHF 1.92

$1.84 CHF 1.44

$2.81 CHF 2.20

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.67 CHF 2.10

$2.00 CHF 1.57

$4.38 CHF 3.44

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.28 CHF 1.01

$0.50 CHF 0.39

$2.53 CHF 1.98

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.29 CHF 8.85

$10.78 CHF 8.45

$12.54 CHF 9.83

Wine (Bottle)

$13.90 CHF 10.90

$7.61 CHF 5.97

$31.73 CHF 24.87

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.36 CHF 1.07

$0.93 CHF 0.73

$3.13 CHF 2.45

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.75 CHF 2.15

$1.27 CHF 0.99

$6.34 CHF 4.97

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.79 CHF 2.97

$3.61 CHF 2.83

$6.26 CHF 4.91

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$85.1 CHF 66.7

$61.4 CHF 48.15

$103 CHF 81.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$10.08 CHF 7.91

$6.30 CHF 4.94

$12.60 CHF 9.88

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.11 CHF 3.22

$3.43 CHF 2.69

$4.69 CHF 3.67

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$62.3 CHF 48.83

$89.7 CHF 70.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.15 CHF 1.69

$2.11 CHF 1.65

$2.43 CHF 1.90

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

$40.9K CHF 32.0K

$43.6K CHF 34.2K

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

$42.5K CHF 33.3K

$55.6K CHF 43.6K

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

$242 CHF 190

$121 CHF 94.9

$346 CHF 271

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

$28.69 CHF 22.49

$12.25 CHF 9.60

$86.1 CHF 67.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.53 CHF 34.13

$37.34 CHF 29.28

$62.2 CHF 48.80

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$109 CHF 85.7

$61.1 CHF 47.90

$132 CHF 104

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$47.51 CHF 37.25

$18.59 CHF 14.58

$86.8 CHF 68.0

Cinema Ticket

$22.50 CHF 17.64

$21.25 CHF 16.66

$27.51 CHF 21.56

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

$3,325 CHF 2,607

$2,832 CHF 2,221

$3,694 CHF 2,896

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$43.6K CHF 34.1K

$31.4K CHF 24.6K

$55.3K CHF 43.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$112 CHF 87.9

$61.2 CHF 47.96

$184 CHF 144

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$68.3 CHF 53.5

$24.83 CHF 19.47

$124 CHF 97.3

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$130 CHF 102

$97.0 CHF 76.0

$303 CHF 238

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$158 CHF 124

$112 CHF 88.1

$187 CHF 147

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,214 CHF 952

$1,050 CHF 823

$1,358 CHF 1,065

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,221 CHF 957

$977 CHF 766

$1,465 CHF 1,149

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,754 CHF 2,159

$2,253 CHF 1,766

$3,254 CHF 2,551

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,163 CHF 1,696

$1,469 CHF 1,152

$2,816 CHF 2,207

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,567 CHF 6,717

$4,498 CHF 3,526

$10.9K CHF 8,564

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,910 CHF 5,417

$3,239 CHF 2,539

$9,069 CHF 7,110

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$9,437 CHF 7,398

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: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $1,214 for a central one-bedroom, or $1,221 outside the center. At around 13% of the average salary ($9,437), rent noticeably above the typical 30% rent-to-income guideline.

Average take-home pay sits at $9,437, while typical expenses reach $3,151. 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 $125 for two – above the European average of $75.

Public transport is priced at around $85 per month – above the European average of $48.

Cost Highlights

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

Average monthly net salary is among the 20 highest worldwide (out of 5,636 cities)

Meal at budget restaurant 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 $3,151 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 13% 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 $9,437 take-home, most residents in Schaffhausen can cover the $3,151 monthly cost of living. Those earning $4,726 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 $1,214; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $1,221. Overall, the market runs from $1,221 to $1,214 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 $3,151 in typical monthly expenses, a $2,500 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 $3,151 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.