Cost of Living in Zurich - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,841 (excluding rent), and $4,348 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $4,697 (excluding rent), and $8,772 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$30.44 CHF 24.44

$20.61 CHF 16.55

$48.70 CHF 39.11

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$145 CHF 117

$109 CHF 87.4

$242 CHF 194

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$20.65 CHF 16.58

$18.23 CHF 14.64

$24.30 CHF 19.51

Cappuccino

$6.98 CHF 5.61

$5.07 CHF 4.07

$8.87 CHF 7.12

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

$5.77 CHF 4.64

$4.18 CHF 3.36

$6.58 CHF 5.28

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.17 CHF 4.15

$3.63 CHF 2.92

$6.66 CHF 5.35

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$10.08 CHF 8.09

$6.93 CHF 5.57

$11.34 CHF 9.10

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.64 CHF 6.93

$7.40 CHF 5.94

$11.11 CHF 8.92

Milk (1 liter)

$2.15 CHF 1.73

$1.68 CHF 1.35

$2.40 CHF 1.93

White Bread (500g)

$3.37 CHF 2.71

$1.49 CHF 1.20

$6.22 CHF 4.99

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.02 CHF 3.23

$1.84 CHF 1.48

$5.52 CHF 4.43

Eggs

$7.54 CHF 6.05

$5.42 CHF 4.35

$10.04 CHF 8.06

Local Cheese (1kg)

$29.47 CHF 23.67

$18.40 CHF 14.78

$57.7 CHF 46.30

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$33.72 CHF 27.08

$14.85 CHF 11.93

$43.33 CHF 34.79

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$50.2 CHF 40.31

$32.16 CHF 25.83

$74.2 CHF 59.6

Apples (1kg)

$4.17 CHF 3.35

$2.48 CHF 1.99

$6.22 CHF 5.00

Banana (1kg)

$2.87 CHF 2.31

$1.61 CHF 1.29

$4.97 CHF 3.99

Oranges (1kg)

$2.99 CHF 2.40

$1.80 CHF 1.45

$6.00 CHF 4.82

Tomato (1kg)

$5.10 CHF 4.09

$2.33 CHF 1.87

$7.84 CHF 6.30

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 CHF 2.28

$1.50 CHF 1.21

$5.01 CHF 4.02

Onion (1kg)

$2.29 CHF 1.84

$1.82 CHF 1.46

$3.65 CHF 2.93

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.59 CHF 2.08

$1.52 CHF 1.22

$3.80 CHF 3.05

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 CHF 1.37

$0.81 CHF 0.65

$2.49 CHF 2.00

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.06 CHF 8.88

$9.96 CHF 7.99

$12.29 CHF 9.87

Wine (Bottle)

$14.25 CHF 11.44

$7.43 CHF 5.97

$27.26 CHF 21.89

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 CHF 2.11

$1.81 CHF 1.45

$4.22 CHF 3.39

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.25 CHF 2.61

$1.95 CHF 1.57

$4.89 CHF 3.92

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$4.86 CHF 3.91

$3.65 CHF 2.93

$6.81 CHF 5.47

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$109 CHF 87.7

$99.8 CHF 80.1

$239 CHF 192

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$7.61 CHF 6.11

$4.87 CHF 3.91

$12.17 CHF 9.77

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.15 CHF 3.33

$2.83 CHF 2.28

$5.45 CHF 4.38

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$88.7 CHF 71.2

$43.97 CHF 35.31

$99.4 CHF 79.8

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.25 CHF 1.80

$2.11 CHF 1.69

$2.42 CHF 1.95

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

$40.7K CHF 32.7K

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

$39.6K CHF 31.8K

$35.8K CHF 28.7K

$43.2K CHF 34.7K

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

$256 CHF 206

$185 CHF 149

$450 CHF 362

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

$35.59 CHF 28.58

$20.87 CHF 16.76

$61.4 CHF 49.30

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$58.2 CHF 46.72

$46.42 CHF 37.27

$85.5 CHF 68.7

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$90.3 CHF 72.5

$56.0 CHF 44.98

$143 CHF 115

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$49.68 CHF 39.89

$36.98 CHF 29.69

$61.6 CHF 49.49

Cinema Ticket

$24.49 CHF 19.66

$23.26 CHF 18.68

$28.15 CHF 22.61

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

$3,412 CHF 2,739

$3,083 CHF 2,476

$4,014 CHF 3,224

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.3K CHF 31.5K

$18.5K CHF 14.8K

$55.4K CHF 44.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$142 CHF 114

$94.2 CHF 75.6

$188 CHF 151

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$60.6 CHF 48.66

$36.42 CHF 29.25

$85.0 CHF 68.2

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$149 CHF 120

$99.2 CHF 79.7

$186 CHF 149

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$198 CHF 159

$121 CHF 97.4

$303 CHF 243

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,720 CHF 2,184

$2,087 CHF 1,676

$3,744 CHF 3,007

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,250 CHF 1,807

$1,755 CHF 1,409

$3,260 CHF 2,617

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,982 CHF 4,000

$4,012 CHF 3,222

$6,171 CHF 4,956

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,719 CHF 2,986

$2,809 CHF 2,256

$4,885 CHF 3,923

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$25.5K CHF 20.4K

$18.9K CHF 15.1K

$32.1K CHF 25.7K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$16.1K CHF 12.9K

$13.7K CHF 11.0K

$19.1K CHF 15.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$8,135 CHF 6,532

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: January 12, 2026

Zurich Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Fixed Broadband

414

Mbps

300

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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.