Cost of Living in Yens - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $3,461 monthly including rent, or $1,676 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $5,201 with rent, or $2,941 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $6,941 including rent, or $4,206 for daily expenses alone.

Yens sits 137–152% above the global median across household types. Within Europe, costs are 86% above average – among the most expensive in the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$29.66 CHF 24.11
$21.49 CHF 17.47
$50.7 CHF 41.23
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$121 CHF 98.6
$85.8 CHF 69.7
$214 CHF 174
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$16.06 CHF 13.06
$15.94 CHF 12.96
$24.71 CHF 20.09
Cappuccino
$6.18 CHF 5.03
$3.71 CHF 3.02
$8.04 CHF 6.54
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.27 CHF 4.28
$3.77 CHF 3.06
$8.16 CHF 6.63
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.16 CHF 3.38
$3.06 CHF 2.49
$9.17 CHF 7.45
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$9.59 CHF 7.80
$6.90 CHF 5.61
$12.78 CHF 10.39
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.94 CHF 6.45
$3.66 CHF 2.98
$11.60 CHF 9.43
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.25 CHF 1.83
$1.72 CHF 1.40
$2.71 CHF 2.20
White Bread (500g)
$3.10 CHF 2.52
$1.52 CHF 1.23
$5.79 CHF 4.71
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.26 CHF 2.65
$1.65 CHF 1.34
$4.28 CHF 3.48
Eggs
$7.32 CHF 5.95
$4.57 CHF 3.71
$12.17 CHF 9.89
Local Cheese (1kg)
$25.17 CHF 20.46
$12.39 CHF 10.07
$62.0 CHF 50.4
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$29.17 CHF 23.72
$15.21 CHF 12.36
$41.84 CHF 34.01
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$40.85 CHF 33.21
$22.76 CHF 18.50
$63.2 CHF 51.4
Apples (1kg)
$3.66 CHF 2.97
$3.46 CHF 2.81
$6.17 CHF 5.02
Banana (1kg)
$2.20 CHF 1.79
$1.53 CHF 1.24
$5.07 CHF 4.12
Oranges (1kg)
$2.53 CHF 2.06
$1.22 CHF 0.99
$6.08 CHF 4.94
Tomato (1kg)
$4.59 CHF 3.73
$3.16 CHF 2.57
$7.32 CHF 5.96
Potato (1kg)
$1.87 CHF 1.52
$1.24 CHF 1.01
$4.21 CHF 3.42
Onion (1kg)
$2.02 CHF 1.64
$1.82 CHF 1.48
$2.80 CHF 2.27
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.20 CHF 1.79
$1.51 CHF 1.23
$3.14 CHF 2.55
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.37 CHF 1.12
$0.57 CHF 0.47
$3.83 CHF 3.12
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.02 CHF 8.96
$10.77 CHF 8.76
$11.50 CHF 9.35
Wine (Bottle)
$12.43 CHF 10.10
$10.56 CHF 8.59
$22.37 CHF 18.19
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 CHF 1.91
$0.76 CHF 0.62
$5.08 CHF 4.13
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.85 CHF 2.32
$2.23 CHF 1.81
$4.96 CHF 4.03
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$4.32 CHF 3.52
$3.22 CHF 2.62
$4.86 CHF 3.95
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$102 CHF 82.7
$86.8 CHF 70.6
$112 CHF 90.7
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$8.34 CHF 6.78
$7.96 CHF 6.47
$19.23 CHF 15.64
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$4.68 CHF 3.80
$3.69 CHF 3.00
$4.68 CHF 3.80
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$88.1 CHF 71.7
$75.3 CHF 61.2
$113 CHF 91.9
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.32 CHF 1.89
$2.10 CHF 1.71
$2.33 CHF 1.90
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$43.4K CHF 35.3K
$35.4K CHF 28.7K
$43.4K CHF 35.3K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$41.1K CHF 33.4K
$41.1K CHF 33.4K
$41.1K CHF 33.4K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$277 CHF 225
$182 CHF 148
$445 CHF 362
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.46 CHF 23.95
$18.93 CHF 15.39
$69.9 CHF 56.8
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$51.5 CHF 41.88
$42.90 CHF 34.88
$73.5 CHF 59.8
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$92.8 CHF 75.5
$60.1 CHF 48.89
$117 CHF 94.8
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$46.39 CHF 37.71
$22.11 CHF 17.98
$46.39 CHF 37.71
Cinema Ticket
$25.04 CHF 20.36
$20.04 CHF 16.29
$28.80 CHF 23.42
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$3,081 CHF 2,505
$2,109 CHF 1,715
$4,093 CHF 3,327
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$31.9K CHF 25.9K
$18.0K CHF 14.6K
$49.2K CHF 40.0K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$144 CHF 117
$66.9 CHF 54.4
$186 CHF 151
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$62.6 CHF 50.9
$37.08 CHF 30.15
$161 CHF 131
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$143 CHF 116
$98.9 CHF 80.4
$198 CHF 161
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$199 CHF 162
$121 CHF 98.8
$356 CHF 289
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,804 CHF 1,466
$1,237 CHF 1,005
$1,978 CHF 1,608
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,521 CHF 1,237
$1,268 CHF 1,031
$1,775 CHF 1,443
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,888 CHF 2,348
$2,458 CHF 1,998
$3,195 CHF 2,598
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,494 CHF 2,028
$2,143 CHF 1,742
$2,939 CHF 2,389
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$16.2K CHF 13.2K
$9,665 CHF 7,857
$17.7K CHF 14.4K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$12.6K CHF 10.2K
$8,177 CHF 6,648
$14.5K CHF 11.8K
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
1.95
1.7
3.7

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

Last update: September 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to spend about $581 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $121 for two – above the European average of $77.0.

Public transport is priced at around $102 per month – above the European average of $50.0.

Cost Highlights

Chicken fillets is more expensive than 99% of cities in Europe

Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is more expensive than 99% of cities in Europe

Taxi 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 $3,461 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 $3,461 per month once rent is factored in. Strip out housing, and everyday essentials like groceries, utilities, transport, and personal spending land around $1,676. The final number shifts depending on your neighborhood, eating habits, and general lifestyle.
What is a good salary in Yens?
Earning $5,192 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 $1,521 to $1,804, 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 $92.8 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 $581 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 $3,461 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 $3,461. 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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