Cost of Living in Switzerland - Updated Prices & Insights

131.38

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,761 (excluding rent), and $3,717 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,520 (excluding rent), and $7,717 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.48 CHF 24.78

$21.94 CHF 17.84

$48.77 CHF 39.65

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$136 CHF 110

$98.8 CHF 80.4

$216 CHF 176

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$18.78 CHF 15.27

$18.15 CHF 14.76

$22.53 CHF 18.32

Cappuccino

$6.04 CHF 4.91

$3.68 CHF 3

$7.97 CHF 6.48

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

$5.41 CHF 4.4

$3.71 CHF 3.02

$6.18 CHF 5.02

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.94 CHF 4.02

$3.76 CHF 3.06

$6.27 CHF 5.1

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.46 CHF 6.88

$5.44 CHF 4.42

$10.89 CHF 8.85

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.59 CHF 6.17

$6.32 CHF 5.14

$11.38 CHF 9.26

Milk (1 liter)

$2.26 CHF 1.84

$1.65 CHF 1.34

$2.53 CHF 2.06

White Bread (500g)

$3.82 CHF 3.11

$1.51 CHF 1.23

$5.64 CHF 4.59

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.29 CHF 3.49

$2.33 CHF 1.89

$6.23 CHF 5.06

Eggs

$7.39 CHF 6.01

$4.3 CHF 3.49

$9.83 CHF 7.99

Local Cheese (1kg)

$28.13 CHF 22.87

$19.74 CHF 16.05

$54.8 CHF 44.58

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$32.58 CHF 26.49

$14.57 CHF 11.85

$42.51 CHF 34.56

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$47.48 CHF 38.6

$30.31 CHF 24.65

$78.8 CHF 64.1

Apples (1kg)

$3.83 CHF 3.12

$2.53 CHF 2.06

$6.33 CHF 5.15

Banana (1kg)

$2.55 CHF 2.07

$1.63 CHF 1.32

$5.02 CHF 4.08

Oranges (1kg)

$3.06 CHF 2.49

$1.86 CHF 1.51

$6.2 CHF 5.04

Tomato (1kg)

$5.97 CHF 4.85

$2.41 CHF 1.96

$9.53 CHF 7.75

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 CHF 2.06

$1.35 CHF 1.1

$4.41 CHF 3.59

Onion (1kg)

$2.34 CHF 1.91

$1.83 CHF 1.49

$3.66 CHF 2.97

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.54 CHF 2.07

$1.82 CHF 1.48

$3.64 CHF 2.96

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.43 CHF 1.16

$0.75 CHF 0.61

$2.49 CHF 2.02

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.06 CHF 8.99

$10.44 CHF 8.49

$12.29 CHF 9.99

Wine (Bottle)

$14.57 CHF 11.85

$9.11 CHF 7.41

$24.3 CHF 19.76

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.64 CHF 2.15

$1.25 CHF 1.02

$4.39 CHF 3.57

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.19 CHF 2.6

$1.39 CHF 1.13

$5.05 CHF 4.1

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.07 CHF 3.31

$3.35 CHF 2.73

$5.98 CHF 4.87

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$98.5 CHF 80.1

$83.7 CHF 68.1

$205 CHF 167

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$8.22 CHF 6.69

$6.32 CHF 5.14

$13.91 CHF 11.31

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.24 CHF 3.45

$3.26 CHF 2.65

$5.43 CHF 4.42

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$84.7 CHF 68.9

$54.9 CHF 44.61

$97.5 CHF 79.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.28 CHF 1.85

$2.19 CHF 1.78

$2.52 CHF 2.05

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

$40.7K CHF 33.1K

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

$42.6K CHF 34.6K

$37.6K CHF 30.6K

$50.1K CHF 40.8K

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

$265 CHF 216

$170 CHF 139

$426 CHF 346

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

$52.2 CHF 42.47

$24.83 CHF 20.19

$85.7 CHF 69.7

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$59.2 CHF 48.13

$48.81 CHF 39.69

$97.9 CHF 79.6

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$86.6 CHF 70.4

$59.4 CHF 48.26

$145 CHF 118

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$47.03 CHF 38.24

$30.67 CHF 24.94

$61.3 CHF 49.87

Cinema Ticket

$25.07 CHF 20.38

$20.81 CHF 16.92

$31.34 CHF 25.48

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

$3,088 CHF 2,511

$2,125 CHF 1,728

$3,875 CHF 3,151

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$34.5K CHF 28.1K

$24.4K CHF 19.8K

$48.7K CHF 39.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$135 CHF 110

$75.2 CHF 61.2

$188 CHF 153

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$65.9 CHF 53.6

$37.64 CHF 30.61

$113 CHF 91.8

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$152 CHF 124

$98.9 CHF 80.4

$244 CHF 198

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$184 CHF 149

$109 CHF 88.4

$302 CHF 246

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,045 CHF 1,663

$1,504 CHF 1,223

$3,133 CHF 2,547

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,632 CHF 1,327

$1,210 CHF 984

$2,421 CHF 1,968

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,643 CHF 2,962

$2,335 CHF 1,899

$6,146 CHF 4,997

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,014 CHF 2,451

$2,180 CHF 1,773

$4,485 CHF 3,647

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$17.1K CHF 13.9K

$10K CHF 8,165

$27.8K CHF 22.6K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$14.1K CHF 11.4K

$8,750 CHF 7,114

$22.5K CHF 18.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,207 CHF 5,860

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.44

1.6

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

Cost of Living in Switzerland - Frequently Asked Questions

Switzerland is widely regarded as expensive, especially in Zurich and Geneva, but many find a high value in what the country delivers: superb services, safety, efficient infrastructure, and consistently clean, reliable systems. The upside shows up when you choose smaller towns or lake-side suburbs, negotiate longer-term housing, cook at home, and use public transport rather than owning a car. With careful planning, you can align lifestyle decisions with the realities of local prices. Cost of Living in Switzerland reflects these trade-offs and helps you decide where and how you base yourself. Tip: Start with a realistic monthly plan that prioritizes housing and transit access.

Daily life hinges on smart choices. Housing often comes via longer leases and deposits, with neighborhoods close to transit offering the best balance of price and convenience. Food options range from farmer's markets to reliable supermarkets; cooking at home stretches meals further. Transport is first-rate: trains, trams, and buses connect most places with regular schedules, and a resident pass can simplify fares. Co-working spaces abound in larger towns and digital nomads find quiet corners in libraries and cafes. Errands move smoothly when you set up local services early. Switzerland living cost varies by city, but planning makes it manageable. Tip: Build a simple weekly routine that matches your work and errands.

Quality of life here shines through safety, healthcare access, and a multilingual, international vibe in major towns. A practical budgeting framework helps you stay on track: separate essentials (housing, food, transport) from discretionary spending, and revisit it as seasons and plans change. Seasonality shows in outdoor access, clothing needs, and heating or cooling habits, so your routine shifts with the weather. Neighborhood fit matters: historic cores, lake-adjacent districts, or suburban belts each offer a different pace, cost profile, and community. Test a few areas, lean on rental agents, and sample local amenities before committing. Tip: Prioritize a base with transit access and gradually expand social and work locations to maintain flexibility.