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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,756 (excluding rent), and $3,631 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,498 (excluding rent), and $7,385 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.21 CHF 23.50

$25.37 CHF 19.74

$36.25 CHF 28.20

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$146 CHF 113

$109 CHF 85.1

$170 CHF 132

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$18.17 CHF 14.14

$17.07 CHF 13.28

$18.29 CHF 14.23

Cappuccino

$6.20 CHF 4.82

$5.45 CHF 4.24

$7.15 CHF 5.56

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

$5.79 CHF 4.51

$5.52 CHF 4.30

$6.26 CHF 4.87

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.28 CHF 4.11

$4.33 CHF 3.37

$6.19 CHF 4.82

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.38 CHF 5.75

$6.06 CHF 4.71

$9.09 CHF 7.07

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.21 CHF 5.61

$5.64 CHF 4.39

$9.16 CHF 7.12

Milk (1 liter)

$2.19 CHF 1.70

$2.17 CHF 1.69

$2.23 CHF 1.73

White Bread (500g)

$2.62 CHF 2.04

$1.16 CHF 0.90

$4.28 CHF 3.33

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.66 CHF 2.84

$1.50 CHF 1.17

$6.18 CHF 4.81

Eggs

$8.10 CHF 6.30

$6.66 CHF 5.18

$9.63 CHF 7.49

Local Cheese (1kg)

$27.53 CHF 21.42

$19.66 CHF 15.30

$35.64 CHF 27.73

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$32.01 CHF 24.91

$21.91 CHF 17.04

$40.16 CHF 31.25

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$41.53 CHF 32.31

$31.62 CHF 24.60

$121 CHF 93.9

Apples (1kg)

$3.17 CHF 2.46

$2.43 CHF 1.89

$6.71 CHF 5.22

Banana (1kg)

$1.84 CHF 1.43

$1.57 CHF 1.22

$3.63 CHF 2.82

Oranges (1kg)

$2.44 CHF 1.90

$1.80 CHF 1.40

$3.47 CHF 2.70

Tomato (1kg)

$6.94 CHF 5.40

$3.83 CHF 2.98

$9.59 CHF 7.46

Potato (1kg)

$2.49 CHF 1.94

$1.09 CHF 0.84

$4.76 CHF 3.71

Onion (1kg)

$2.32 CHF 1.81

$1.86 CHF 1.45

$2.41 CHF 1.88

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.31 CHF 1.80

$1.08 CHF 0.84

$9.48 CHF 7.38

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.10 CHF 0.85

$0.73 CHF 0.56

$1.99 CHF 1.55

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.76 CHF 8.37

$10.39 CHF 8.09

$12.11 CHF 9.42

Wine (Bottle)

$11.50 CHF 8.95

$10.22 CHF 7.95

$19.17 CHF 14.91

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.24 CHF 1.74

$1.62 CHF 1.26

$2.48 CHF 1.93

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.38 CHF 1.85

$2.01 CHF 1.56

$2.51 CHF 1.95

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.39 CHF 3.41

$3.29 CHF 2.56

$8.85 CHF 6.89

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$79.9 CHF 62.2

$60.7 CHF 47.21

$303 CHF 236

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.59 CHF 5.13

$5.99 CHF 4.66

$8.38 CHF 6.52

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.25 CHF 3.31

$4.58 CHF 3.57

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$80.9 CHF 62.9

$62.2 CHF 48.41

$93.3 CHF 72.6

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.21 CHF 1.72

$2.19 CHF 1.71

$2.22 CHF 1.73

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

$40.2K CHF 31.3K

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

$42.0K CHF 32.6K

$40.3K CHF 31.4K

$43.6K CHF 33.9K

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

$333 CHF 259

$249 CHF 194

$476 CHF 370

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

$59.9 CHF 46.56

$24.90 CHF 19.37

$85.9 CHF 66.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$53.9 CHF 41.96

$49.94 CHF 38.85

$62.4 CHF 48.57

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$81.0 CHF 63.0

$61.3 CHF 47.66

$85.8 CHF 66.7

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$99.5 CHF 77.4

Cinema Ticket

$31.01 CHF 24.12

$27.28 CHF 21.23

$31.01 CHF 24.12

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

$2,781 CHF 2,163

$2,418 CHF 1,881

$3,627 CHF 2,822

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$34.3K CHF 26.7K

$24.6K CHF 19.1K

$48.8K CHF 37.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$150 CHF 117

$125 CHF 97.3

$175 CHF 136

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$64.6 CHF 50.2

$48.42 CHF 37.67

$96.8 CHF 75.3

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$156 CHF 122

$123 CHF 95.9

$173 CHF 134

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$236 CHF 183

$223 CHF 174

$248 CHF 193

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,795 CHF 1,396

$1,473 CHF 1,146

$2,393 CHF 1,862

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,516 CHF 1,180

$1,229 CHF 956

$2,028 CHF 1,578

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,744 CHF 2,135

$1,843 CHF 1,434

$3,931 CHF 3,058

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,307 CHF 1,795

$1,457 CHF 1,133

$3,278 CHF 2,550

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$10.9K CHF 8,504

$10.7K CHF 8,356

$11.3K CHF 8,798

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$8,600 CHF 6,691

$8,452 CHF 6,576

$8,895 CHF 6,921

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,144 CHF 5,558

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 9, 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.