Cost of Living in Yens - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $3,511 monthly including rent, or $1,481 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $5,311 with rent, or $3,126 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $7,111 including rent, or $4,771 for daily expenses alone.

Yens sits 152–162% above the global median across household types. Within Europe, costs are 98% above average – among the most expensive in the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$30.64 CHF 24.16
$24.51 CHF 19.33
$52.7 CHF 41.54
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$145 CHF 114
$90.7 CHF 71.5
$204 CHF 161
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$18.91 CHF 14.91
$18.37 CHF 14.48
$24.49 CHF 19.31
Cappuccino
$6.15 CHF 4.85
$4.42 CHF 3.48
$10.11 CHF 7.97
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.34 CHF 4.21
$3.64 CHF 2.87
$7.26 CHF 5.72
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.87 CHF 3.84
$3.74 CHF 2.95
$6.85 CHF 5.40
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$9.92 CHF 7.82
$6.20 CHF 4.89
$12.40 CHF 9.77
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.43 CHF 5.86
$6.09 CHF 4.80
$10.97 CHF 8.65
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.17 CHF 1.71
$1.58 CHF 1.24
$2.42 CHF 1.91
White Bread (500g)
$3.84 CHF 3.03
$1.49 CHF 1.18
$6.22 CHF 4.90
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.52 CHF 3.56
$2.51 CHF 1.98
$6.30 CHF 4.96
Eggs
$7.10 CHF 5.60
$4.11 CHF 3.24
$11.63 CHF 9.17
Local Cheese (1kg)
$26.46 CHF 20.86
$19.61 CHF 15.46
$42.90 CHF 33.82
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$28.53 CHF 22.50
$14.16 CHF 11.16
$43.08 CHF 33.96
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$43.82 CHF 34.55
$24.56 CHF 19.36
$98.2 CHF 77.5
Apples (1kg)
$3.64 CHF 2.87
$1.94 CHF 1.53
$6.07 CHF 4.79
Banana (1kg)
$2.11 CHF 1.66
$1.59 CHF 1.25
$4.27 CHF 3.37
Oranges (1kg)
$2.81 CHF 2.22
$1.81 CHF 1.43
$6.64 CHF 5.24
Tomato (1kg)
$6.57 CHF 5.18
$2.48 CHF 1.96
$9.81 CHF 7.73
Potato (1kg)
$2.44 CHF 1.92
$1.45 CHF 1.15
$4.84 CHF 3.82
Onion (1kg)
$2.33 CHF 1.83
$1.81 CHF 1.43
$3.62 CHF 2.85
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.49 CHF 1.96
$1.80 CHF 1.42
$2.99 CHF 2.36
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.46 CHF 1.15
$0.75 CHF 0.60
$3.14 CHF 2.48
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.93 CHF 8.62
$9.72 CHF 7.66
$14.57 CHF 11.49
Wine (Bottle)
$13.76 CHF 10.85
$10.66 CHF 8.40
$25.07 CHF 19.76
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.02 CHF 1.59
$1.21 CHF 0.95
$4.83 CHF 3.81
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.12 CHF 2.46
$1.25 CHF 0.98
$5.62 CHF 4.43
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.95 CHF 3.11
$3.30 CHF 2.60
$5.10 CHF 4.02
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$98.7 CHF 77.8
$62.3 CHF 49.13
$105 CHF 82.7
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$8.10 CHF 6.38
$7.59 CHF 5.99
$20.25 CHF 15.97
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.37 CHF 2.65
$2.91 CHF 2.30
$4.60 CHF 3.62
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$66.2 CHF 52.2
$61.3 CHF 48.33
$147 CHF 116
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.19 CHF 1.73
$2.14 CHF 1.69
$2.47 CHF 1.95
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$40.0K CHF 31.6K
$40.0K CHF 31.6K
$40.0K CHF 31.6K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.6K CHF 32.8K
$37.2K CHF 29.3K
$49.6K CHF 39.1K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$304 CHF 240
$185 CHF 146
$449 CHF 354
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$51.1 CHF 40.31
$24.93 CHF 19.66
$86.0 CHF 67.8
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$57.7 CHF 45.49
$42.50 CHF 33.51
$97.1 CHF 76.6
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$89.6 CHF 70.7
$56.5 CHF 44.54
$113 CHF 89.1
Cinema Ticket
$23.13 CHF 18.23
$18.75 CHF 14.78
$33.75 CHF 26.61
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,554 CHF 2,014
$1,465 CHF 1,155
$3,297 CHF 2,599
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$33.7K CHF 26.6K
$26.9K CHF 21.2K
$44.0K CHF 34.7K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$107 CHF 84.7
$48.85 CHF 38.52
$170 CHF 134
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$70.9 CHF 55.9
$43.94 CHF 34.64
$113 CHF 89.1
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$151 CHF 119
$98.9 CHF 78.0
$247 CHF 195
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$184 CHF 145
$98.1 CHF 77.4
$319 CHF 251
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,711 CHF 1,349
$1,178 CHF 929
$1,860 CHF 1,467
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,451 CHF 1,144
$975 CHF 768
$1,584 CHF 1,249
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,872 CHF 2,264
$2,247 CHF 1,772
$3,246 CHF 2,559
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,427 CHF 1,913
$2,093 CHF 1,650
$2,791 CHF 2,200
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$15.7K CHF 12.4K
$7,979 CHF 6,291
$15.7K CHF 12.4K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$10.6K CHF 8,331
$3,658 CHF 2,884
$10.6K CHF 8,331
💵 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: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to spend about $618 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $145 for two – above the European average of $75.0.

Public transport is priced at around $98.7 per month – above the European average of $48.00.

Cost Highlights

Rice is more expensive than 99% of cities in Europe

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

Meal at budget restaurant is more expensive than 98% 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 $3,511 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 $3,511 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $1,481. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.
What is a good salary in Yens?
Earning $5,266 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 $1,451 to $1,711, 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 $89.6 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 $618 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 $3,511 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 $3,511. 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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