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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,717 (excluding rent), and $3,624 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,654 (excluding rent), and $7,374 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$31.01 CHF 24.15

$26.04 CHF 20.29

$37.21 CHF 28.98

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$148 CHF 115

$111 CHF 86.3

$172 CHF 134

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$18.49 CHF 14.41

$17.38 CHF 13.54

$18.62 CHF 14.50

Cappuccino

$6.39 CHF 4.98

$5.62 CHF 4.38

$7.38 CHF 5.75

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

$5.96 CHF 4.65

$5.69 CHF 4.43

$6.45 CHF 5.02

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.23 CHF 4.08

$4.30 CHF 3.35

$6.14 CHF 4.78

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.44 CHF 5.79

$6.10 CHF 4.75

$9.15 CHF 7.13

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.03 CHF 5.47

$5.50 CHF 4.28

$8.92 CHF 6.95

Milk (1 liter)

$2.27 CHF 1.77

$2.25 CHF 1.75

$2.31 CHF 1.80

White Bread (500g)

$2.57 CHF 2.00

$1.14 CHF 0.89

$4.20 CHF 3.27

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.59 CHF 2.80

$1.47 CHF 1.15

$6.07 CHF 4.73

Eggs

$7.93 CHF 6.18

$6.53 CHF 5.08

$9.43 CHF 7.35

Local Cheese (1kg)

$27.38 CHF 21.33

$19.56 CHF 15.23

$35.45 CHF 27.62

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$32.86 CHF 25.60

$22.48 CHF 17.51

$41.23 CHF 32.11

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$41.12 CHF 32.03

$31.30 CHF 24.39

$120 CHF 93.1

Apples (1kg)

$3.11 CHF 2.42

$2.39 CHF 1.86

$6.58 CHF 5.13

Banana (1kg)

$1.86 CHF 1.45

$1.59 CHF 1.24

$3.67 CHF 2.86

Oranges (1kg)

$2.49 CHF 1.94

$1.83 CHF 1.43

$3.54 CHF 2.76

Tomato (1kg)

$7.09 CHF 5.52

$3.92 CHF 3.05

$9.80 CHF 7.63

Potato (1kg)

$2.62 CHF 2.04

$1.14 CHF 0.89

$5.01 CHF 3.90

Onion (1kg)

$2.27 CHF 1.77

$1.82 CHF 1.42

$2.36 CHF 1.84

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 CHF 1.88

$1.13 CHF 0.88

$9.91 CHF 7.72

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.15 CHF 0.89

$0.76 CHF 0.59

$2.08 CHF 1.62

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.69 CHF 8.33

$10.32 CHF 8.04

$12.03 CHF 9.37

Wine (Bottle)

$11.49 CHF 8.95

$10.21 CHF 7.96

$19.15 CHF 14.92

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.15 CHF 1.68

$1.55 CHF 1.21

$2.39 CHF 1.86

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.38 CHF 1.85

$2.00 CHF 1.56

$2.50 CHF 1.95

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.33 CHF 3.37

$3.25 CHF 2.53

$8.74 CHF 6.81

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$80.9 CHF 63.1

$61.4 CHF 47.86

$307 CHF 239

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.95 CHF 5.42

$6.32 CHF 4.92

$8.84 CHF 6.89

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.14 CHF 3.23

$4.46 CHF 3.48

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$78.6 CHF 61.3

$60.5 CHF 47.11

$90.7 CHF 70.7

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.12 CHF 1.65

$2.10 CHF 1.64

$2.13 CHF 1.66

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

$41.0K CHF 32.0K

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

$40.7K CHF 31.7K

$39.2K CHF 30.5K

$42.3K CHF 33.0K

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

$329 CHF 257

$246 CHF 192

$471 CHF 367

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

$59.9 CHF 46.67

$24.93 CHF 19.42

$86.0 CHF 67.0

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$52.9 CHF 41.24

$49.03 CHF 38.19

$61.3 CHF 47.74

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$80.5 CHF 62.7

$60.9 CHF 47.43

$85.2 CHF 66.4

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$99.7 CHF 77.7

Cinema Ticket

$30.59 CHF 23.83

$26.92 CHF 20.97

$30.59 CHF 23.83

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

$2,831 CHF 2,206

$2,462 CHF 1,918

$3,693 CHF 2,877

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$34.5K CHF 26.9K

$24.7K CHF 19.3K

$49.1K CHF 38.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$145 CHF 113

$121 CHF 94.4

$170 CHF 132

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$66.0 CHF 51.4

$49.49 CHF 38.55

$99.0 CHF 77.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$155 CHF 121

$123 CHF 95.4

$172 CHF 134

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$235 CHF 183

$222 CHF 173

$247 CHF 193

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,790 CHF 1,395

$1,469 CHF 1,144

$2,387 CHF 1,859

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,520 CHF 1,184

$1,233 CHF 960

$2,034 CHF 1,585

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,805 CHF 2,185

$1,884 CHF 1,468

$4,020 CHF 3,131

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,296 CHF 1,789

$1,450 CHF 1,130

$3,263 CHF 2,542

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$10.9K CHF 8,476

$10.7K CHF 8,329

$11.3K CHF 8,769

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$8,522 CHF 6,639

$8,376 CHF 6,525

$8,815 CHF 6,867

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$6,996 CHF 5,450

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.5

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

Last update: March 3, 2026

St. Gallen Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

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 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.