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

132.51

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,747 (excluding rent), and $3,619 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,490 (excluding rent), and $7,162 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.66 CHF 24.93

$25.75 CHF 20.94

$36.79 CHF 29.91

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$150 CHF 122

$113 CHF 91.7

$175 CHF 143

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$18.1 CHF 14.72

$17.01 CHF 13.83

$18.22 CHF 14.81

Cappuccino

$6.49 CHF 5.27

$5.7 CHF 4.64

$7.48 CHF 6.09

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

$5.97 CHF 4.85

$5.69 CHF 4.63

$6.45 CHF 5.25

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.2 CHF 4.23

$4.27 CHF 3.47

$6.1 CHF 4.96

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.39 CHF 6.01

$6.06 CHF 4.93

$9.1 CHF 7.4

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.18 CHF 5.84

$5.62 CHF 4.57

$9.11 CHF 7.41

Milk (1 liter)

$2.2 CHF 1.79

$2.18 CHF 1.77

$2.24 CHF 1.82

White Bread (500g)

$2.56 CHF 2.08

$1.14 CHF 0.92

$4.19 CHF 3.4

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.68 CHF 2.99

$1.51 CHF 1.23

$6.22 CHF 5.06

Eggs

$7.87 CHF 6.4

$6.47 CHF 5.26

$9.36 CHF 7.61

Local Cheese (1kg)

$27.94 CHF 22.72

$19.95 CHF 16.23

$36.17 CHF 29.41

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$32.04 CHF 26.05

$21.92 CHF 17.83

$40.2 CHF 32.69

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$41.82 CHF 34

$31.84 CHF 25.89

$122 CHF 98.9

Apples (1kg)

$3.27 CHF 2.66

$2.51 CHF 2.04

$6.92 CHF 5.63

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 CHF 1.56

$1.64 CHF 1.34

$3.8 CHF 3.09

Oranges (1kg)

$2.49 CHF 2.02

$1.83 CHF 1.49

$3.54 CHF 2.88

Tomato (1kg)

$7.05 CHF 5.73

$3.9 CHF 3.17

$9.75 CHF 7.93

Potato (1kg)

$2.57 CHF 2.09

$1.12 CHF 0.91

$4.91 CHF 3.99

Onion (1kg)

$2.34 CHF 1.9

$1.87 CHF 1.52

$2.43 CHF 1.98

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.31 CHF 1.88

$1.08 CHF 0.88

$9.5 CHF 7.72

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.13 CHF 0.92

$0.75 CHF 0.61

$2.05 CHF 1.67

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.04 CHF 8.97

$10.66 CHF 8.67

$12.42 CHF 10.1

Wine (Bottle)

$11.12 CHF 9.04

$9.89 CHF 8.04

$18.53 CHF 15.07

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.2 CHF 1.78

$1.58 CHF 1.29

$2.43 CHF 1.98

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.4 CHF 1.95

$2.02 CHF 1.64

$2.52 CHF 2.05

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.17 CHF 3.39

$3.13 CHF 2.54

$8.43 CHF 6.85

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$81.9 CHF 66.6

$62.2 CHF 50.5

$311 CHF 253

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.8 CHF 5.53

$6.18 CHF 5.03

$8.65 CHF 7.03

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.26 CHF 3.46

$4.59 CHF 3.73

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$81.6 CHF 66.4

$62.8 CHF 51.1

$94.2 CHF 76.6

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.22 CHF 1.8

$2.2 CHF 1.79

$2.23 CHF 1.81

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

$40K CHF 32.5K

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

$40.7K CHF 33.1K

$39.2K CHF 31.9K

$42.3K CHF 34.4K

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

$332 CHF 270

$248 CHF 202

$475 CHF 386

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

$58.4 CHF 47.5

$24.3 CHF 19.76

$83.8 CHF 68.2

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$54.2 CHF 44.07

$50.2 CHF 40.81

$62.7 CHF 51

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$81.3 CHF 66.1

$61.5 CHF 50

$86.1 CHF 70

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$100 CHF 81.3

Cinema Ticket

$30.33 CHF 24.66

$26.69 CHF 21.7

$30.33 CHF 24.66

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

$2,837 CHF 2,307

$2,467 CHF 2,006

$3,700 CHF 3,009

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.6K CHF 24K

$21.2K CHF 17.2K

$42K CHF 34.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$146 CHF 118

$121 CHF 98.6

$170 CHF 138

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$66.5 CHF 54.1

$49.86 CHF 40.54

$99.7 CHF 81.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$154 CHF 125

$121 CHF 98.8

$170 CHF 138

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$237 CHF 193

$225 CHF 183

$250 CHF 203

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,812 CHF 1,473

$1,487 CHF 1,209

$2,416 CHF 1,964

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,513 CHF 1,230

$1,227 CHF 997

$2,024 CHF 1,646

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,745 CHF 2,232

$1,843 CHF 1,499

$3,933 CHF 3,198

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,325 CHF 1,891

$1,469 CHF 1,194

$3,304 CHF 2,687

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$14K CHF 11.4K

$8,274 CHF 6,727

$14.3K CHF 11.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$10.5K CHF 8,547

$5,650 CHF 4,594

$10.5K CHF 8,547

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,147 CHF 5,811

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.5

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

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.