Cost of Living in Zurich - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,836 (excluding rent), and $4,269 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,609 (excluding rent), and $8,822 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.6 CHF 24.62

$20.72 CHF 16.68

$48.96 CHF 39.4

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$149 CHF 120

$111 CHF 89.7

$248 CHF 199

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$20.61 CHF 16.58

$18.19 CHF 14.64

$24.25 CHF 19.51

Cappuccino

$6.61 CHF 5.32

$4.8 CHF 3.86

$8.39 CHF 6.75

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

$6.09 CHF 4.9

$4.41 CHF 3.55

$6.94 CHF 5.59

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.21 CHF 4.19

$3.67 CHF 2.95

$6.72 CHF 5.41

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.84 CHF 7.92

$6.77 CHF 5.45

$11.07 CHF 8.91

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.47 CHF 6.82

$7.26 CHF 5.85

$10.9 CHF 8.77

Milk (1 liter)

$2.22 CHF 1.79

$1.74 CHF 1.4

$2.49 CHF 2

White Bread (500g)

$3.32 CHF 2.67

$1.47 CHF 1.18

$6.13 CHF 4.93

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.05 CHF 3.26

$1.86 CHF 1.5

$5.57 CHF 4.48

Eggs

$7.25 CHF 5.84

$5.21 CHF 4.2

$9.66 CHF 7.78

Local Cheese (1kg)

$29.19 CHF 23.49

$18.23 CHF 14.67

$57.1 CHF 45.96

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$33.58 CHF 27.03

$14.79 CHF 11.9

$43.15 CHF 34.73

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$50.9 CHF 40.95

$32.6 CHF 26.24

$75.2 CHF 60.6

Apples (1kg)

$4.11 CHF 3.31

$2.45 CHF 1.97

$6.13 CHF 4.93

Banana (1kg)

$2.84 CHF 2.28

$1.59 CHF 1.28

$4.91 CHF 3.95

Oranges (1kg)

$3.09 CHF 2.49

$1.86 CHF 1.5

$6.2 CHF 4.99

Tomato (1kg)

$5.11 CHF 4.11

$2.34 CHF 1.88

$7.86 CHF 6.33

Potato (1kg)

$2.86 CHF 2.3

$1.51 CHF 1.22

$5.04 CHF 4.05

Onion (1kg)

$2.38 CHF 1.91

$1.9 CHF 1.53

$3.79 CHF 3.05

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.46 CHF 1.98

$1.45 CHF 1.16

$3.61 CHF 2.91

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.67 CHF 1.34

$0.79 CHF 0.64

$2.43 CHF 1.95

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.24 CHF 9.05

$10.11 CHF 8.14

$12.49 CHF 10.05

Wine (Bottle)

$14.66 CHF 11.8

$7.33 CHF 5.9

$24.44 CHF 19.67

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.75 CHF 2.21

$1.9 CHF 1.53

$4.42 CHF 3.55

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.24 CHF 2.61

$1.95 CHF 1.57

$4.87 CHF 3.92

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$5.01 CHF 4.03

$3.76 CHF 3.03

$7.01 CHF 5.64

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$110 CHF 88.4

$100 CHF 80.9

$240 CHF 193

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$7.65 CHF 6.16

$4.9 CHF 3.94

$12.24 CHF 9.85

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.28 CHF 3.45

$2.93 CHF 2.35

$5.63 CHF 4.53

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$86.7 CHF 69.8

$42.97 CHF 34.58

$97.1 CHF 78.2

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.3 CHF 1.85

$2.16 CHF 1.74

$2.48 CHF 2

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

$40.3K CHF 32.5K

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

$38.9K CHF 31.3K

$35.2K CHF 28.3K

$42.5K CHF 34.2K

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

$257 CHF 207

$186 CHF 150

$452 CHF 364

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

$35.97 CHF 28.95

$21.09 CHF 16.98

$62.1 CHF 49.94

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$58.9 CHF 47.42

$47 CHF 37.83

$86.6 CHF 69.7

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$88.6 CHF 71.3

$55 CHF 44.23

$140 CHF 113

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$50.1 CHF 40.31

$37.27 CHF 30

$62.1 CHF 50

Cinema Ticket

$25.13 CHF 20.22

$23.87 CHF 19.21

$28.89 CHF 23.25

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

$3,398 CHF 2,735

$3,071 CHF 2,472

$3,999 CHF 3,218

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40K CHF 32.2K

$18.8K CHF 15.2K

$56.5K CHF 45.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$137 CHF 110

$90.9 CHF 73.1

$182 CHF 146

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$62.7 CHF 50.4

$37.67 CHF 30.31

$87.9 CHF 70.7

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$147 CHF 119

$98 CHF 78.9

$184 CHF 148

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$205 CHF 165

$125 CHF 101

$313 CHF 252

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,702 CHF 2,175

$2,073 CHF 1,669

$3,720 CHF 2,994

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,199 CHF 1,770

$1,715 CHF 1,380

$3,185 CHF 2,564

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,973 CHF 4,003

$4,006 CHF 3,224

$6,161 CHF 4,958

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,780 CHF 3,043

$2,856 CHF 2,298

$4,966 CHF 3,997

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$23.9K CHF 19.3K

$18.3K CHF 14.7K

$33.5K CHF 27K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$17.9K CHF 14.4K

$13.7K CHF 11K

$24.8K CHF 20K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$8,335 CHF 6,708

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

2.09

1.41

3.6

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

Last update: November 22, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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🇪🇺 Europe

Cost of Living in Zurich - Frequently Asked Questions

Zurich offers an exceptional quality of life, but it comes with a premium. For travelers, expats, and digital nomads, the Cost of Living in Zurich, Switzerland sits toward the high end among European cities, yet value emerges in safety, clean services, and reliable infrastructure. You gain predictability in routines, strong healthcare, and efficient transport that supports long stays. Housing choices vary by district: central areas are pricier, while suburbs with quick transit open up more reasonable options. Seasonality, cultural events, and easy access to outdoor spaces add to the payoff of time and convenience. Tip: map neighborhoods by transit times and test a few before committing.

Daily life blends efficiency with a refined pace. For housing, search beyond the core to districts with strong transit links; many nomads find reasonable studio or shared flats in Seefeld, Kreis 4, or near university campuses. Food options range from farmers markets to premium grocers; you can balance costs by cooking at home and choosing seasonal produce. Transport is superb: trains, trams, and bikes cover most errands, with a reliable transit pass helping you manage a budget. When planning, consider day-to-day needs like coworking spaces and quick coffee runs near your place. Zurich living cost discussions help you gauge monthly needs and plan ahead. Tip: test peak commute times to pick the right neighborhood.

Quality of life comes from smart budgeting and neighborhood fit. Use a simple framework: categorize expenses into housing, food, transport, and personal care, then track a baseline monthly plan that adapts with seasons. Save by cooking at home, shopping at local markets, and taking advantage of public events and free or low-cost activities. Seasonality affects dining and recreation; anticipate busy periods around holidays and plan ahead for higher rental markets in popular neighborhoods. For neighborhood fit, test multiple areas with easy transit access and a balanced mix of green spaces and amenities. Tip: sign a mid-length lease to negotiate better terms and build local routines.