Cost of Living in St. Gallen - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,765 (excluding rent), and $3,575 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,608 (excluding rent), and $7,128 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.78 CHF 24.72

$25.86 CHF 20.76

$36.94 CHF 29.66

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$146 CHF 118

$110 CHF 88.1

$171 CHF 137

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$18.18 CHF 14.60

$17.09 CHF 13.72

$18.30 CHF 14.70

Cappuccino

$6.27 CHF 5.03

$5.51 CHF 4.43

$7.23 CHF 5.81

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

$5.92 CHF 4.76

$5.65 CHF 4.54

$6.40 CHF 5.14

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.22 CHF 4.19

$4.28 CHF 3.44

$6.12 CHF 4.92

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.31 CHF 5.87

$6.00 CHF 4.82

$9.00 CHF 7.23

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.02 CHF 5.64

$5.49 CHF 4.41

$8.91 CHF 7.16

Milk (1 liter)

$2.20 CHF 1.77

$2.18 CHF 1.75

$2.24 CHF 1.80

White Bread (500g)

$2.65 CHF 2.13

$1.18 CHF 0.94

$4.33 CHF 3.48

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.51 CHF 2.82

$1.44 CHF 1.16

$5.94 CHF 4.77

Eggs

$8.00 CHF 6.43

$6.59 CHF 5.29

$9.52 CHF 7.64

Local Cheese (1kg)

$27.85 CHF 22.37

$19.89 CHF 15.97

$36.06 CHF 28.95

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$31.93 CHF 25.64

$21.85 CHF 17.54

$40.05 CHF 32.16

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$40.97 CHF 32.90

$31.19 CHF 25.05

$119 CHF 95.7

Apples (1kg)

$3.15 CHF 2.53

$2.42 CHF 1.95

$6.68 CHF 5.36

Banana (1kg)

$1.84 CHF 1.48

$1.57 CHF 1.26

$3.64 CHF 2.92

Oranges (1kg)

$2.55 CHF 2.04

$1.88 CHF 1.51

$3.62 CHF 2.91

Tomato (1kg)

$7.01 CHF 5.63

$3.87 CHF 3.11

$9.69 CHF 7.78

Potato (1kg)

$2.48 CHF 1.99

$1.08 CHF 0.87

$4.73 CHF 3.80

Onion (1kg)

$2.26 CHF 1.81

$1.81 CHF 1.45

$2.35 CHF 1.89

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.31 CHF 1.85

$1.08 CHF 0.87

$9.48 CHF 7.61

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 CHF 0.92

$0.75 CHF 0.60

$2.07 CHF 1.66

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.97 CHF 8.81

$10.60 CHF 8.51

$12.35 CHF 9.92

Wine (Bottle)

$11.16 CHF 8.96

$9.91 CHF 7.96

$18.59 CHF 14.93

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.17 CHF 1.74

$1.56 CHF 1.25

$2.40 CHF 1.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.37 CHF 1.90

$1.99 CHF 1.60

$2.49 CHF 2.00

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.31 CHF 3.46

$3.23 CHF 2.59

$8.70 CHF 6.98

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$81.7 CHF 65.6

$62.0 CHF 49.80

$310 CHF 249

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.64 CHF 5.33

$6.03 CHF 4.84

$8.44 CHF 6.77

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.18 CHF 3.36

$4.51 CHF 3.62

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$80.7 CHF 64.8

$62.1 CHF 49.87

$93.1 CHF 74.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.14 CHF 1.72

$2.12 CHF 1.70

$2.15 CHF 1.73

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

$41.1K CHF 33.0K

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

$42.2K CHF 33.9K

$40.6K CHF 32.6K

$43.8K CHF 35.2K

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

$325 CHF 261

$243 CHF 195

$465 CHF 373

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

$58.6 CHF 47.02

$24.36 CHF 19.56

$84.1 CHF 67.5

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$54.2 CHF 43.48

$50.1 CHF 40.26

$62.7 CHF 50.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$81.4 CHF 65.3

$61.5 CHF 49.42

$86.2 CHF 69.2

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$100 CHF 80.4

Cinema Ticket

$31.17 CHF 25.03

$27.42 CHF 22.02

$31.17 CHF 25.03

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

$2,839 CHF 2,280

$2,469 CHF 1,983

$3,703 CHF 2,974

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$34.2K CHF 27.5K

$24.5K CHF 19.6K

$48.6K CHF 39.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$146 CHF 117

$121 CHF 97.6

$170 CHF 137

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$64.4 CHF 51.7

$48.32 CHF 38.80

$96.6 CHF 77.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$154 CHF 124

$122 CHF 97.8

$170 CHF 137

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$232 CHF 186

$220 CHF 176

$244 CHF 196

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,822 CHF 1,463

$1,495 CHF 1,200

$2,429 CHF 1,950

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,496 CHF 1,202

$1,213 CHF 974

$2,002 CHF 1,608

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,758 CHF 2,214

$1,852 CHF 1,487

$3,951 CHF 3,173

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,331 CHF 1,872

$1,472 CHF 1,182

$3,313 CHF 2,660

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$10.8K CHF 8,641

$10.6K CHF 8,492

$11.1K CHF 8,940

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$8,564 CHF 6,877

$8,416 CHF 6,758

$8,858 CHF 7,113

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,622 CHF 5,318

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 12, 2026

St. Gallen Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

189

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

410

Mbps

318

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 St. Gallen - Frequently Asked Questions

St. Gallen offers a balanced mix of Swiss-quality living and a size that keeps essentials practical for longer stays. In general, you’ll find a value proposition that’s friendlier than Switzerland’s largest cities while still benefiting from reliable services, clean streets, and a safe environment. The cost profile tends to be steady rather than flashy, with predictable travel, groceries, and utilities, plus a strong local culture. If you want cosmopolitan amenities without Zurich-level prices, you’ll enjoy the city’s pace and easy access to nearby lakes and mountains. Cost of Living in St. Gallen can feel approachable for steady budgeting. Tip: Start with a month-to-month rental to test neighborhoods.

St. Gallen living cost varies by neighborhood but stays manageable for a city of its size when you plan ahead. Look for older buildings in the Altstadt or family-friendly areas a short transit ride from the station for better value. Grocery stores like Coop and Migros cover everyday needs, while local markets add seasonal produce and cheaper options. Public transport is reliable, and cycling is practical for commuting to the university or coworking spaces. Short trips to nearby lakes or hills are convenient by train or bus. Tip: book a month-to-month rental first to test areas before committing.

Quality of life here comes from a balanced mix of compact city access and outdoor options. Use a simple budgeting framework: assign shares to housing, groceries, transport, and leisure, then adjust as your schedule shifts. Take advantage of free or low-cost cultural events, public libraries, and seasonal markets. Winters are cold and sunny days can be crisp, so plan for efficient heating and smart layering. For neighborhood fit, prioritize proximity to transit hubs or green spaces, then explore a few blocks that feel calm yet lively. Tip: join language exchanges or expat groups to discover hidden gems and practical tips.