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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,737 (excluding rent), and $3,619 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,536 (excluding rent), and $7,363 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.40 CHF 23.80

$25.53 CHF 19.99

$36.48 CHF 28.56

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$150 CHF 117

$112 CHF 87.9

$175 CHF 137

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$18.21 CHF 14.26

$17.11 CHF 13.40

$18.33 CHF 14.35

Cappuccino

$6.48 CHF 5.07

$5.70 CHF 4.46

$7.48 CHF 5.86

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

$5.95 CHF 4.66

$5.68 CHF 4.45

$6.44 CHF 5.04

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.30 CHF 4.15

$4.35 CHF 3.41

$6.22 CHF 4.87

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.69 CHF 6.02

$6.31 CHF 4.94

$9.47 CHF 7.41

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.11 CHF 5.57

$5.56 CHF 4.36

$9.03 CHF 7.07

Milk (1 liter)

$2.28 CHF 1.78

$2.26 CHF 1.77

$2.32 CHF 1.82

White Bread (500g)

$2.71 CHF 2.12

$1.20 CHF 0.94

$4.43 CHF 3.47

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.71 CHF 2.90

$1.52 CHF 1.19

$6.27 CHF 4.91

Eggs

$8.31 CHF 6.51

$6.84 CHF 5.36

$9.89 CHF 7.74

Local Cheese (1kg)

$27.13 CHF 21.24

$19.37 CHF 15.17

$35.12 CHF 27.50

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$32.03 CHF 25.08

$21.92 CHF 17.16

$40.19 CHF 31.47

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$40.95 CHF 32.06

$31.17 CHF 24.41

$119 CHF 93.2

Apples (1kg)

$3.25 CHF 2.55

$2.50 CHF 1.96

$6.89 CHF 5.40

Banana (1kg)

$1.89 CHF 1.48

$1.62 CHF 1.27

$3.74 CHF 2.93

Oranges (1kg)

$2.53 CHF 1.98

$1.87 CHF 1.46

$3.60 CHF 2.82

Tomato (1kg)

$7.08 CHF 5.54

$3.91 CHF 3.06

$9.79 CHF 7.66

Potato (1kg)

$2.59 CHF 2.03

$1.13 CHF 0.88

$4.94 CHF 3.87

Onion (1kg)

$2.33 CHF 1.83

$1.87 CHF 1.46

$2.42 CHF 1.90

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.44 CHF 1.91

$1.14 CHF 0.89

$10.00 CHF 7.83

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.14 CHF 0.89

$0.75 CHF 0.59

$2.07 CHF 1.62

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.69 CHF 8.37

$10.32 CHF 8.08

$12.03 CHF 9.42

Wine (Bottle)

$11.76 CHF 9.21

$10.17 CHF 7.96

$20.33 CHF 15.92

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.27 CHF 1.77

$1.63 CHF 1.28

$2.51 CHF 1.97

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.33 CHF 1.82

$1.96 CHF 1.53

$2.45 CHF 1.92

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.26 CHF 3.33

$3.19 CHF 2.50

$8.59 CHF 6.73

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$80.0 CHF 62.7

$60.8 CHF 47.57

$304 CHF 238

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.63 CHF 5.19

$6.02 CHF 4.72

$8.43 CHF 6.60

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.13 CHF 3.23

$4.45 CHF 3.49

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$81.7 CHF 63.9

$62.8 CHF 49.18

$94.2 CHF 73.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.21 CHF 1.73

$2.19 CHF 1.71

$2.22 CHF 1.73

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

$40.0K CHF 31.4K

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

$41.8K CHF 32.8K

$40.2K CHF 31.5K

$43.5K CHF 34.0K

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

$331 CHF 259

$247 CHF 194

$473 CHF 370

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

$59.9 CHF 46.88

$24.91 CHF 19.50

$85.9 CHF 67.3

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$52.5 CHF 41.09

$48.59 CHF 38.05

$60.7 CHF 47.56

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$83.0 CHF 65.0

$62.7 CHF 49.12

$87.8 CHF 68.8

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$98.5 CHF 77.1

Cinema Ticket

$30.50 CHF 23.88

$26.84 CHF 21.01

$30.50 CHF 23.88

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

$2,842 CHF 2,225

$2,471 CHF 1,935

$3,707 CHF 2,903

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$35.0K CHF 27.4K

$25.0K CHF 19.6K

$49.6K CHF 38.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$148 CHF 116

$123 CHF 96.6

$173 CHF 135

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$65.3 CHF 51.1

$48.97 CHF 38.34

$97.9 CHF 76.7

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$159 CHF 124

$125 CHF 98.0

$175 CHF 137

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$231 CHF 181

$219 CHF 171

$243 CHF 190

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,810 CHF 1,418

$1,485 CHF 1,163

$2,414 CHF 1,890

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,526 CHF 1,195

$1,237 CHF 969

$2,042 CHF 1,599

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,773 CHF 2,171

$1,862 CHF 1,458

$3,973 CHF 3,111

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,336 CHF 1,829

$1,476 CHF 1,155

$3,320 CHF 2,600

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$10.7K CHF 8,382

$10.5K CHF 8,237

$11.1K CHF 8,673

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$8,685 CHF 6,800

$8,536 CHF 6,683

$8,983 CHF 7,034

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,096 CHF 5,556

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.5

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

Last update: April 13, 2026

St. Gallen 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 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.