Cost of Living in Yens - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $3,459 monthly including rent, or $1,896 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $5,362 with rent, or $3,202 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $7,264 including rent, or $4,507 for daily expenses alone.

Yens sits about 159% above the global median. Within Europe, costs are 93% above average – among the most expensive in the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$30.31 CHF 24.46
$24.25 CHF 19.57
$52.1 CHF 42.07
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$147 CHF 119
$91.9 CHF 74.2
$207 CHF 167
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$18.91 CHF 15.25
$18.36 CHF 14.81
$24.48 CHF 19.75
Cappuccino
$5.90 CHF 4.76
$4.23 CHF 3.42
$9.69 CHF 7.82
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.46 CHF 4.41
$3.71 CHF 3.00
$7.42 CHF 5.99
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.71 CHF 3.80
$3.61 CHF 2.91
$6.62 CHF 5.34
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$9.65 CHF 7.78
$6.03 CHF 4.86
$12.05 CHF 9.72
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.49 CHF 6.04
$6.14 CHF 4.96
$11.06 CHF 8.92
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.22 CHF 1.79
$1.62 CHF 1.30
$2.48 CHF 2.01
White Bread (500g)
$3.79 CHF 3.06
$1.47 CHF 1.19
$6.12 CHF 4.94
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.45 CHF 3.59
$2.48 CHF 2.00
$6.20 CHF 5.00
Eggs
$7.42 CHF 5.99
$4.30 CHF 3.47
$12.16 CHF 9.81
Local Cheese (1kg)
$26.28 CHF 21.20
$19.47 CHF 15.71
$42.60 CHF 34.37
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$28.80 CHF 23.24
$14.29 CHF 11.53
$43.48 CHF 35.09
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$44.50 CHF 35.91
$24.94 CHF 20.13
$99.8 CHF 80.5
Apples (1kg)
$3.62 CHF 2.92
$1.93 CHF 1.56
$6.04 CHF 4.87
Banana (1kg)
$2.08 CHF 1.68
$1.56 CHF 1.26
$4.21 CHF 3.40
Oranges (1kg)
$2.84 CHF 2.29
$1.83 CHF 1.48
$6.71 CHF 5.41
Tomato (1kg)
$6.61 CHF 5.33
$2.49 CHF 2.01
$9.86 CHF 7.96
Potato (1kg)
$2.50 CHF 2.02
$1.49 CHF 1.21
$4.98 CHF 4.02
Onion (1kg)
$2.36 CHF 1.91
$1.84 CHF 1.48
$3.67 CHF 2.96
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.51 CHF 2.02
$1.81 CHF 1.46
$3.02 CHF 2.43
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.41 CHF 1.13
$0.73 CHF 0.59
$3.03 CHF 2.44
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.07 CHF 8.93
$9.84 CHF 7.94
$14.75 CHF 11.90
Wine (Bottle)
$13.74 CHF 11.08
$10.64 CHF 8.58
$25.03 CHF 20.19
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07 CHF 1.67
$1.24 CHF 1.00
$4.96 CHF 4.00
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10 CHF 2.50
$1.24 CHF 1.00
$5.57 CHF 4.49
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.96 CHF 3.20
$3.31 CHF 2.67
$5.11 CHF 4.13
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$99.0 CHF 79.9
$62.5 CHF 50.4
$105 CHF 84.9
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$7.73 CHF 6.24
$7.25 CHF 5.85
$19.33 CHF 15.60
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.41 CHF 2.75
$2.95 CHF 2.38
$4.66 CHF 3.76
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$67.2 CHF 54.3
$62.3 CHF 50.2
$149 CHF 121
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.21 CHF 1.79
$2.16 CHF 1.75
$2.50 CHF 2.02
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$40.3K CHF 32.5K
$40.3K CHF 32.5K
$40.3K CHF 32.5K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.7K CHF 32.8K
$36.3K CHF 29.3K
$48.4K CHF 39.1K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$301 CHF 243
$183 CHF 148
$445 CHF 359
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$51.1 CHF 41.23
$24.92 CHF 20.11
$86.0 CHF 69.4
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$57.5 CHF 46.38
$42.34 CHF 34.16
$96.8 CHF 78.1
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$88.9 CHF 71.7
$56.0 CHF 45.20
$112 CHF 90.4
Cinema Ticket
$22.64 CHF 18.27
$18.36 CHF 14.81
$33.04 CHF 26.66
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,534 CHF 2,045
$1,454 CHF 1,173
$3,271 CHF 2,639
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$33.4K CHF 27.0K
$26.6K CHF 21.5K
$43.6K CHF 35.2K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$107 CHF 86.1
$48.51 CHF 39.14
$169 CHF 136
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$68.6 CHF 55.4
$42.51 CHF 34.30
$109 CHF 88.2
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$149 CHF 120
$97.5 CHF 78.7
$244 CHF 197
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$183 CHF 148
$97.6 CHF 78.8
$317 CHF 256
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,694 CHF 1,367
$1,167 CHF 942
$1,843 CHF 1,487
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,448 CHF 1,168
$973 CHF 785
$1,580 CHF 1,275
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,801 CHF 2,260
$2,192 CHF 1,769
$3,167 CHF 2,555
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,436 CHF 1,966
$2,101 CHF 1,695
$2,802 CHF 2,261
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$17.1K CHF 13.8K
$9,134 CHF 7,371
$20.2K CHF 16.3K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$10.8K CHF 8,709
$5,652 CHF 4,561
$11.4K CHF 9,160
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
2.5
1.8
3

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

Last update: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to spend about $622 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $147 for two – above the European average of $75.0.

Public transport is priced at around $99.0 per month – above the European average of $48.00.

Cost Highlights

Rice is more expensive than 99% of cities in Europe

Three-course dinner for two, mid-range is more expensive than 99% of cities in Europe

Monthly cost (excluding rent) is more expensive than 99% of cities in Europe

Yens Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Yens - Frequently Asked Questions
How would you sum up the overall affordability of living in Yens for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Cost of Living in Yens, Switzerland reflects a balanced picture: daily services and safety are strong, while housing tends to be the major expense. You’ll find value in neighborhoods with quick rail links to Lausanne, where you can keep commute time reasonable and expenses manageable. For nomads, co-working spaces and cafés offer reliable work setups without a long daily commute. Seasonality affects rental availability and leisure costs. City and lake-area access bring high quality of life, so plan around transit routes and housing size to optimize value. Tip: Lock in longer-term housing or a rental package that includes utilities to simplify budgeting.
What does day-to-day life look like when you’re managing housing, groceries, transport, and coworking in Yens?
Yens, Switzerland living cost informs how you balance shelter, groceries, and transit across the week. Housing options tend to favor compact layouts or multi-purpose spaces; proximity to the lake, hillside walks, and Lausanne rail links can influence your choices more than distance alone. Daily meals range from bakeries and markets to occasional dine-outs, with cost-effective cooking at home easy to manage. Public transport is reliable and efficient, making car-less living comfortable. For work, seek a coworking hub near transit or a quiet neighborhood cafe with steady Wi-Fi. Tip: Build a simple budget by category and track essentials weekly.
What quality of life considerations and budgeting strategies help you fit into Yens long-term?
Quality of life here comes from a balanced rhythm, thoughtful neighborhood choice, and a simple budgeting framework. Start with a core set of expenses you know you’ll have and allocate a flexible category for experiences, meals, and local services. Save by cooking at home with seasonal produce, choosing efficient apartments, and using public transport or bikes for most trips. Explore varied districts – quiet residential lanes for focus, lake-adjacent areas for leisure, and smaller towns within easy reach for weekend escapes. Seasonality may shift crowds and availability, so plan ahead for longer stays or short-term leases. Tip: Build a repeatable monthly plan and revisit it each season to stay aligned.
Is Yens expensive to live in?
Budget at least $3,459 per month to live in Yens once rent is factored in. The high price tag reflects quality infrastructure and a strong economy, but it does mean you need a decent income to live comfortably here.
What is the average cost of living in Yens?
A single person in Yens typically spends $3,459 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $1,896. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.
What is a good salary in Yens?
Earning $5,189 monthly in Yens means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Yens?
Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Yens range from $1,448 to $1,694, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.
How expensive is a gym membership in Yens?
At around $88.9 monthly, gym costs in Yens are on the steep side. The price tracks with the city's overall high cost of services, though annual contracts and promotional deals can cut the bill.
Is food expensive in Yens?
Yens isn't cheap for groceries. Monthly bills reach $622 for a single person, and even basic items cost more than in most comparable cities. Cooking at home is still the most economical approach.
Is $2,000 enough to live comfortably in Yens?
At $3,459 in typical monthly expenses, a $2,000 budget barely covers Yens. You'd need a shared flat in an outer area, home-cooked meals, and serious discipline with discretionary spending to make it work.
Is Yens good for expats?
Expats in Yens enjoy fast internet, low crime rates, clean air, and monthly costs average around $3,459. The international crowd is active and welcoming, and practical stuff – bank accounts, apartment hunting, healthcare – is all manageable with some basic prep.

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