Cost of Living in Switzerland - Updated Prices & Insights

Name: Switzerland
Address: CH

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,784 (excluding rent), and $3,643 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,573 (excluding rent), and $7,868 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.44 CHF 24.44

$21.91 CHF 17.59

$48.70 CHF 39.11

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$137 CHF 110

$99.3 CHF 79.7

$217 CHF 174

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$18.55 CHF 14.89

$17.93 CHF 14.39

$22.25 CHF 17.87

Cappuccino

$5.96 CHF 4.79

$3.63 CHF 2.92

$7.85 CHF 6.31

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

$5.53 CHF 4.44

$3.79 CHF 3.04

$6.30 CHF 5.06

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.00 CHF 4.02

$3.81 CHF 3.06

$6.34 CHF 5.09

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.85 CHF 7.11

$5.69 CHF 4.57

$11.38 CHF 9.14

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.19 CHF 5.77

$5.99 CHF 4.81

$10.78 CHF 8.66

Milk (1 liter)

$2.25 CHF 1.80

$1.63 CHF 1.31

$2.51 CHF 2.02

White Bread (500g)

$3.69 CHF 2.96

$1.46 CHF 1.17

$5.45 CHF 4.38

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.16 CHF 3.34

$2.26 CHF 1.81

$6.04 CHF 4.85

Eggs

$7.54 CHF 6.05

$4.38 CHF 3.52

$10.03 CHF 8.05

Local Cheese (1kg)

$28.32 CHF 22.74

$19.87 CHF 15.96

$55.2 CHF 44.32

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$33.47 CHF 26.87

$14.97 CHF 12.02

$43.66 CHF 35.06

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$48.34 CHF 38.81

$30.86 CHF 24.78

$80.2 CHF 64.4

Apples (1kg)

$3.63 CHF 2.91

$2.39 CHF 1.92

$5.99 CHF 4.81

Banana (1kg)

$2.47 CHF 1.99

$1.58 CHF 1.27

$4.88 CHF 3.92

Oranges (1kg)

$3.12 CHF 2.51

$1.90 CHF 1.53

$6.33 CHF 5.08

Tomato (1kg)

$6.07 CHF 4.88

$2.45 CHF 1.97

$9.70 CHF 7.79

Potato (1kg)

$2.60 CHF 2.08

$1.38 CHF 1.11

$4.51 CHF 3.62

Onion (1kg)

$2.34 CHF 1.88

$1.83 CHF 1.47

$3.66 CHF 2.94

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.51 CHF 2.02

$1.80 CHF 1.45

$3.61 CHF 2.90

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.44 CHF 1.16

$0.76 CHF 0.61

$2.51 CHF 2.02

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.26 CHF 9.04

$10.63 CHF 8.53

$12.50 CHF 10.04

Wine (Bottle)

$13.67 CHF 10.98

$9.88 CHF 7.93

$24.84 CHF 19.95

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.54 CHF 2.04

$1.21 CHF 0.97

$4.23 CHF 3.39

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.19 CHF 2.56

$1.39 CHF 1.12

$5.04 CHF 4.04

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.09 CHF 3.29

$3.37 CHF 2.71

$6.02 CHF 4.83

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$98.2 CHF 78.8

$83.5 CHF 67.0

$205 CHF 164

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$8.18 CHF 6.57

$6.29 CHF 5.05

$13.84 CHF 11.11

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.45 CHF 3.57

$3.43 CHF 2.75

$5.70 CHF 4.58

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$86.0 CHF 69.0

$55.7 CHF 44.70

$99.0 CHF 79.5

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.21 CHF 1.78

$2.12 CHF 1.70

$2.44 CHF 1.96

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

$40.6K CHF 32.6K

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

$41.4K CHF 33.2K

$36.5K CHF 29.3K

$48.7K CHF 39.1K

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

$267 CHF 214

$171 CHF 138

$429 CHF 344

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

$52.2 CHF 41.93

$24.83 CHF 19.94

$85.6 CHF 68.8

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$59.7 CHF 47.96

$49.24 CHF 39.54

$98.7 CHF 79.3

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$88.9 CHF 71.4

$61.0 CHF 48.96

$149 CHF 120

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$47.41 CHF 38.07

$30.92 CHF 24.83

$61.8 CHF 49.66

Cinema Ticket

$24.40 CHF 19.59

$20.25 CHF 16.26

$30.50 CHF 24.49

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

$3,004 CHF 2,412

$2,067 CHF 1,660

$3,769 CHF 3,027

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$34.3K CHF 27.6K

$24.2K CHF 19.5K

$48.5K CHF 38.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$134 CHF 107

$74.2 CHF 59.6

$185 CHF 149

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$65.8 CHF 52.9

$37.61 CHF 30.20

$113 CHF 90.6

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$148 CHF 119

$96.0 CHF 77.1

$237 CHF 190

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$189 CHF 151

$112 CHF 89.6

$310 CHF 249

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,004 CHF 1,610

$1,474 CHF 1,183

$3,070 CHF 2,465

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,640 CHF 1,317

$1,216 CHF 976

$2,432 CHF 1,953

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,722 CHF 2,989

$2,386 CHF 1,916

$6,279 CHF 5,042

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,028 CHF 2,431

$2,190 CHF 1,758

$4,505 CHF 3,617

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$19.0K CHF 15.2K

$12.1K CHF 9,700

$28.9K CHF 23.2K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$14.1K CHF 11.3K

$9,283 CHF 7,454

$22.5K CHF 18.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,207 CHF 5,787

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.44

1.6

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

Last update: January 13, 2026

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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.