Cost of Living in Zurich - Updated Prices & Insights

135.71

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,797 (excluding rent), and $4,344 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,745 (excluding rent), and $8,854 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$31.26 CHF 25.42

$21.17 CHF 17.22

$50 CHF 40.67

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$148 CHF 121

$111 CHF 90.5

$247 CHF 201

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$21.29 CHF 17.31

$18.79 CHF 15.28

$25.05 CHF 20.37

Cappuccino

$6.71 CHF 5.45

$4.87 CHF 3.96

$8.51 CHF 6.92

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

$5.92 CHF 4.81

$4.29 CHF 3.49

$6.75 CHF 5.49

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.38 CHF 4.38

$3.79 CHF 3.08

$6.94 CHF 5.64

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$9.79 CHF 7.96

$6.73 CHF 5.47

$11.01 CHF 8.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.56 CHF 6.96

$7.34 CHF 5.97

$11.02 CHF 8.96

Milk (1 liter)

$2.17 CHF 1.76

$1.7 CHF 1.38

$2.43 CHF 1.97

White Bread (500g)

$3.33 CHF 2.71

$1.48 CHF 1.2

$6.14 CHF 4.99

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.08 CHF 3.32

$1.87 CHF 1.52

$5.61 CHF 4.56

Eggs

$7.22 CHF 5.87

$5.19 CHF 4.22

$9.62 CHF 7.82

Local Cheese (1kg)

$29.52 CHF 24

$18.43 CHF 14.98

$57.7 CHF 46.95

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$33.26 CHF 27.04

$14.65 CHF 11.91

$42.73 CHF 34.74

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$49.67 CHF 40.39

$31.83 CHF 25.88

$73.5 CHF 59.7

Apples (1kg)

$4.21 CHF 3.43

$2.51 CHF 2.04

$6.28 CHF 5.11

Banana (1kg)

$2.93 CHF 2.38

$1.64 CHF 1.34

$5.07 CHF 4.12

Oranges (1kg)

$3.1 CHF 2.52

$1.87 CHF 1.52

$6.21 CHF 5.05

Tomato (1kg)

$5.16 CHF 4.19

$2.36 CHF 1.92

$7.93 CHF 6.45

Potato (1kg)

$2.75 CHF 2.23

$1.45 CHF 1.18

$4.83 CHF 3.93

Onion (1kg)

$2.31 CHF 1.88

$1.84 CHF 1.5

$3.68 CHF 2.99

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.46 CHF 2

$1.45 CHF 1.18

$3.62 CHF 2.94

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.7 CHF 1.39

$0.81 CHF 0.66

$2.48 CHF 2.02

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.96 CHF 8.91

$9.87 CHF 8.02

$12.18 CHF 9.9

Wine (Bottle)

$14.91 CHF 12.12

$9.32 CHF 7.58

$24.85 CHF 20.2

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.74 CHF 2.23

$1.89 CHF 1.54

$4.41 CHF 3.59

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.18 CHF 2.59

$1.91 CHF 1.56

$4.79 CHF 3.89

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.87 CHF 3.96

$3.65 CHF 2.97

$6.81 CHF 5.54

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$106 CHF 85.9

$96.6 CHF 78.5

$231 CHF 188

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$7.62 CHF 6.19

$4.88 CHF 3.97

$12.19 CHF 9.91

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.24 CHF 3.45

$2.9 CHF 2.36

$5.57 CHF 4.53

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$86.9 CHF 70.6

$43.06 CHF 35.01

$97.3 CHF 79.1

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.34 CHF 1.9

$2.19 CHF 1.78

$2.52 CHF 2.05

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

$40K CHF 32.5K

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

$39.2K CHF 31.9K

$35.4K CHF 28.8K

$42.8K CHF 34.8K

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

$259 CHF 211

$188 CHF 153

$456 CHF 371

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

$36.35 CHF 29.55

$21.31 CHF 17.33

$62.7 CHF 51

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$59.3 CHF 48.24

$47.33 CHF 38.48

$87.2 CHF 70.9

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$89.9 CHF 73.1

$55.8 CHF 45.35

$143 CHF 116

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$49.67 CHF 40.39

$36.97 CHF 30.06

$61.6 CHF 50.1

Cinema Ticket

$24.88 CHF 20.23

$23.64 CHF 19.22

$28.61 CHF 23.26

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

$3,352 CHF 2,726

$3,030 CHF 2,463

$3,945 CHF 3,207

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.2K CHF 31.9K

$18.4K CHF 15K

$55.3K CHF 45K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$142 CHF 115

$93.8 CHF 76.3

$188 CHF 153

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$61.3 CHF 49.87

$36.87 CHF 29.98

$86 CHF 69.9

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$149 CHF 121

$98.9 CHF 80.4

$185 CHF 151

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$203 CHF 165

$124 CHF 101

$310 CHF 252

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,761 CHF 2,245

$2,119 CHF 1,723

$3,801 CHF 3,091

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,233 CHF 1,816

$1,742 CHF 1,416

$3,235 CHF 2,630

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$5,062 CHF 4,116

$4,077 CHF 3,315

$6,271 CHF 5,099

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,819 CHF 3,105

$2,885 CHF 2,345

$5,017 CHF 4,079

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$24K CHF 19.5K

$18.5K CHF 15K

$36.9K CHF 30K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$18.4K CHF 15K

$14.8K CHF 12K

$24.7K CHF 20.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$7,707 CHF 6,267

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.

City tags:

🇪🇺 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.