Cost of living in Zurich (Switzerland) is 52% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 884 prices entered by 165 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 115% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zurich (Switzerland) is 115% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 25 (Dirham 115) | Dirham 45 | + 154% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 16 (Dirham 72) | Dirham 34 | + 111% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 12 (Dirham 56) | Dirham 17 | + 221% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.84 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 7 | + 28% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 (Dirham 38) | Dirham 13 | + 200% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.06 (Dirham 19) | Dirham 6 | + 198% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 9 (Dirham 41) | Dirham 17 | + 134% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.30 (Dirham 15) | Dirham 9 | + 72% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.49 (Dirham 11) | Dirham 4.56 | + 151% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 1.95 (Dirham 9) | Dirham 9 | + 1% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 14 (Dirham 66) | Dirham 58 | + 13% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 3.05 (Dirham 14) | Dirham 7 | + 89% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 1.82 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 5.13 | + 64% | |
| Housing | + 14% | |||
| Housing in Zurich (Switzerland) is 14% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,773 (Dirham 17,388) | Dirham 14,523 | + 20% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,282 (Dirham 10,516) | Dirham 9,139 | + 15% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 177 (Dirham 818) | Dirham 829 | - 1% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 2,376 (Dirham 10,951) | Dirham 8,201 | + 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,457 (Dirham 6,713) | Dirham 5,341 | + 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 104 (Dirham 479) | Dirham 622 | - 23% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 34 (Dirham 155) | Dirham 336 | - 54% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 327 (Dirham 1,505) | Dirham 770 | + 96% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 76 (Dirham 350) | Dirham 296 | + 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 12 (Dirham 54) | Dirham 41 | + 34% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 30 (Dirham 137) | Dirham 32 | + 324% | |
| Clothes | + 33% | |||
| Clothes in Zurich (Switzerland) is 33% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Dubai | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 104 (Dirham 477) | Dirham 251 | + 90% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 50 (Dirham 232) | Dirham 220 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 89 (Dirham 410) | Dirham 399 | + 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 132 (Dirham 608) | Dirham 408 | + 49% | |
| Transportation | + 68% | |||
| Transportation in Zurich (Switzerland) is 68% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 26,830 (Dirham 123,645) | Dirham 92,536 | + 34% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.80 (Dirham 8) | Dirham 2.86 | + 190% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 91 (Dirham 420) | Dirham 303 | + 38% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 54 (Dirham 249) | Dirham 37 | + 577% | |
| Personal Care | + 88% | |||
| Personal Care in Zurich (Switzerland) is 88% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 15 (Dirham 68) | Dirham 25 | + 175% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 21 (Dirham 96) | Dirham 38 | + 157% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 115 (Dirham 528) | Dirham 284 | + 86% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.38 (Dirham 25) | Dirham 21 | + 18% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.24 (Dirham 20) | Dirham 19 | + 1% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 4.67 (Dirham 22) | Dirham 21 | + 3% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.69 (Dirham 17) | Dirham 10 | + 77% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.55 (Dirham 16) | Dirham 13 | + 30% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 54 (Dirham 248) | Dirham 40 | + 512% | |
| Entertainment | + 63% | |||
| Entertainment in Zurich (Switzerland) is 63% more expensive than in Dubai (United Arab Emirates) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Dubai | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 57 (Dirham 261) | Dirham 147 | + 78% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 32 (Dirham 148) | Dirham 98 | + 51% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 185 (Dirham 851) | Dirham 283 | + 200% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 93 (Dirham 429) | Dirham 275 | + 56% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 16 (Dirham 75) | Dirham 75 | - 0% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.70 (Dirham 26) | Dirham 22 | + 21% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 8 (Dirham 36) | Dirham 45 | - 21% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 541 (Dirham 2,493) | Dirham 1,999 | + 25% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.49 (Dirham 2.24) | Dirham 0.56 | + 299% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 60 (Dirham 278) | Dirham 320 | - 13% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 (Dirham 42) | Dirham 22 | + 89% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 52% | ||
These prices were last updated on July 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
4.609
AED
/
CHF
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 884 prices entered by 165 different people.
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