Cost of living in Zurich (Switzerland) is 95% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,703 prices entered by 243 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 91% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zurich (Switzerland) is 91% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 28 (€29) | €18 | + 61% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 16 (€17) | €10 | + 59% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 10 (€10) | €3.79 | + 177% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.82 (€1.91) | €1.06 | + 81% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 (€8) | €3.20 | + 164% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.20 (€4.41) | €2.16 | + 104% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 10 (€10) | €7 | + 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.51 (€3.68) | €2.25 | + 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.60 (€2.73) | €1.69 | + 61% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 2.16 (€2.27) | €1.13 | + 101% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 16 (€17) | €8 | + 123% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 3.01 (€3.16) | €1.97 | + 61% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.22 (€2.33) | €0.86 | + 172% | |
| Housing | + 98% | |||
| Housing in Zurich (Switzerland) is 98% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,838 (€4,031) | €1,867 | + 116% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,451 (€2,573) | €1,282 | + 101% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 218 (€229) | €118 | + 94% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 2,373 (€2,492) | €1,270 | + 96% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,527 (€1,603) | €882 | + 82% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 96 (€101) | €78 | + 29% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 41 (€43) | €27 | + 58% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 351 (€369) | €314 | + 17% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 84 (€88) | €101 | - 13% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 14 (€14) | €10 | + 45% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 32 (€34) | €12 | + 177% | |
| Clothes | + 70% | |||
| Clothes in Zurich (Switzerland) is 70% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Madrid | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 111 (€116) | €77 | + 51% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 60 (€63) | €29 | + 119% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 98 (€103) | €82 | + 25% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 141 (€148) | €90 | + 64% | |
| Transportation | + 112% | |||
| Transportation in Zurich (Switzerland) is 112% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 30,152 (€31,662) | €29,578 | + 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.81 (€1.91) | €1.65 | + 16% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 92 (€96) | €31 | + 206% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 54 (€57) | €20 | + 182% | |
| Personal Care | + 103% | |||
| Personal Care in Zurich (Switzerland) is 103% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 16 (€17) | €9 | + 78% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 22 (€23) | €8 | + 191% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 124 (€130) | €57 | + 127% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.68 (€5.96) | €3.94 | + 51% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.22 (€4.43) | €3.44 | + 29% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 4.92 (€5.16) | €3.72 | + 39% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.50 (€3.67) | €2.29 | + 61% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.59 (€3.77) | €2.78 | + 36% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 62 (€65) | €18 | + 273% | |
| Entertainment | + 73% | |||
| Entertainment in Zurich (Switzerland) is 73% more expensive than in Madrid (Spain) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | Madrid | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 61 (€65) | €44 | + 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 34 (€36) | €19 | + 89% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 197 (€207) | €51 | + 305% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 112 (€118) | €55 | + 114% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 18 (€18) | €14 | + 36% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 6 (€7) | €3.66 | + 83% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 8 (€8) | €5.41 | + 53% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 543 (€570) | €528 | + 8% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.54 (€0.56) | €0.26 | + 120% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 69 (€73) | €61 | + 20% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 (€9) | €5.65 | + 65% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 95% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,703 prices entered by 243 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 27, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.050
EUR
/
CHF
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For example, you would need at least €11,099 (CHF 10,570) in Zurich to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with €5,700 in Madrid.
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