Cost of living in Zurich (Switzerland) is 28% more expensive than in Arcata, California (United States)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 250 prices entered by 58 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 53% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zurich (Switzerland) is 53% more expensive than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 24 ($26) | $16 | + 69% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 15 ($16) | $9 | + 78% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 14 ($15) | $6 | + 146% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.75 ($1.88) | $1.20 | + 57% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 ($9) | $5.05 | + 71% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.35 ($4.70) | $6 | - 28% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 12 ($13) | $8 | + 56% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.48 ($3.76) | $3.25 | + 16% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.41 ($2.60) | $1.48 | + 75% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 2.04 ($2.21) | - | - | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 16 ($17) | - | - | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 3.02 ($3.26) | - | - | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.87 ($3.10) | - | - | |
| Housing | + 50% | |||
| Housing in Zurich (Switzerland) is 50% more expensive than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,666 ($3,956) | $1,589 | + 149% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,602 ($2,807) | - | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 153 ($165) | $212 | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 1,988 ($2,145) | $1,328 | + 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,421 ($1,533) | - | - | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 94 ($102) | - | - | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 50 ($54) | $53 | + 1% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 412 ($444) | - | - | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 115 ($124) | - | - | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 18 ($19) | - | - | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 34 ($36) | - | - | |
| Clothes | - 51% | |||
| Clothes in Zurich (Switzerland) is 51% cheaper than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 124 ($134) | - | - | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 52 ($56) | $158 | - 65% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 110 ($119) | - | - | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 191 ($206) | - | - | |
| Transportation | + 15% | |||
| Transportation in Zurich (Switzerland) is 15% more expensive than in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 31,103 ($33,560) | - | - | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.91 ($2.06) | $1.00 | + 106% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 86 ($92) | - | - | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 48 ($51) | - | - | |
| Personal Care | ||||
| Personal Care in Zurich (Switzerland) is about the same as in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 15 ($17) | - | - | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 24 ($26) | - | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 135 ($146) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 7 ($8) | - | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.85 ($5.23) | - | - | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 5.61 ($6) | - | - | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.41 ($3.68) | - | - | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.16 ($3.41) | - | - | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 53 ($57) | - | - | |
| Entertainment | ||||
| Entertainment in Zurich (Switzerland) is about the same as in Arcata, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Arcata, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 70 ($75) | - | - | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 39 ($42) | - | - | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 138 ($148) | - | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 121 ($131) | - | - | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 16 ($17) | - | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.22 ($5.63) | - | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 7 ($7) | - | - | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 526 ($567) | - | - | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.25 ($0.27) | - | - | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 81 ($87) | - | - | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 11 ($12) | - | - | |
 |
TOTAL | + 28% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 250 prices entered by 58 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 21, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.079
USD
/
CHF
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For example, you would need at least $6,157 (CHF 5,707) in Zurich to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $4,800 in Arcata, California.
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