Cost of living in Zurich (Switzerland) is 56% more expensive than in Spokane, Washington (United States)
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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 178 prices entered by 60 different people.
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Currency:
Food | + 81% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Zurich (Switzerland) is 81% more expensive than in Spokane, Washington (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Zurich | Spokane, Washington | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 26 ($28) | $15 | + 95% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 15 ($16) | $8 | + 94% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 14 ($16) | $5.26 | + 198% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.79 ($1.97) | $0.83 | + 136% | |
12 eggs, large | CHF 8 ($9) | $2.49 | + 267% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.36 ($4.79) | $4.65 | + 3% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 12 ($14) | $7 | + 100% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.53 ($3.88) | $3.87 | + 0% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.41 ($2.65) | $1.59 | + 67% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 2.20 ($2.42) | $3.58 | - 32% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 16 ($18) | $15 | + 16% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 3.02 ($3.32) | $2.20 | + 51% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 3.14 ($3.45) | $1.51 | + 129% | |
Housing | + 47% | |||
Housing in Zurich (Switzerland) is 47% more expensive than in Spokane, Washington (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Zurich | Spokane, Washington | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,687 ($4,054) | $2,223 | + 82% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,787 ($3,064) | $1,633 | + 88% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 153 ($168) | $247 | - 32% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 1,988 ($2,185) | $1,520 | + 44% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,421 ($1,562) | $1,008 | + 55% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 94 ($104) | $160 | - 35% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 50 ($55) | $56 | - 2% | |
40” flat screen tv | CHF 412 ($453) | $294 | + 54% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 115 ($127) | $151 | - 16% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 18 ($20) | $14 | + 36% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 38 ($41) | $27 | + 51% | |
Clothes | + 31% | |||
Clothes in Zurich (Switzerland) is 31% more expensive than in Spokane, Washington (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Zurich | Spokane, Washington | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 126 ($138) | $51 | + 170% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 52 ($57) | $61 | - 7% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 110 ($121) | $101 | + 20% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 191 ($210) | $114 | + 84% | |
Transportation | + 71% | |||
Transportation in Zurich (Switzerland) is 71% more expensive than in Spokane, Washington (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Zurich | Spokane, Washington | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 31,103 ($34,196) | $24,445 | + 40% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.95 ($2.15) | $1.04 | + 105% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 93 ($102) | $60 | + 71% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 47 ($51) | $27 | + 87% | |
Personal Care | + 72% | |||
Personal Care in Zurich (Switzerland) is 72% more expensive than in Spokane, Washington (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Zurich | Spokane, Washington | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 15 ($17) | $9 | + 97% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 24 ($26) | $16 | + 64% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 135 ($149) | $89 | + 67% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 7 ($8) | $6 | + 29% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.58 ($5.03) | $3.09 | + 63% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 5.61 ($6) | $4.27 | + 44% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.93 ($4.32) | $3.71 | + 16% | |
Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.16 ($3.47) | $1.78 | + 95% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 60 ($66) | $18 | + 270% | |
Entertainment | + 29% | |||
Entertainment in Zurich (Switzerland) is 29% more expensive than in Spokane, Washington (United States) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Zurich | Spokane, Washington | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 71 ($78) | $48 | + 62% | |
2 tickets to the movies | CHF 35 ($38) | $25 | + 52% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 166 ($183) | $94 | + 94% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 139 ($153) | $84 | + 82% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 18 ($20) | $12 | + 64% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.65 ($6) | $5.58 | + 11% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 7 ($8) | $5.73 | + 33% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 516 ($567) | $499 | + 14% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.25 ($0.27) | $0.51 | - 46% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 78 ($85) | $35 | + 147% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 11 ($12) | $10 | + 25% | |
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TOTAL | + 56% |

These prices were last updated on June 08, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.099
USD
/
CHF
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For example, you would need at least $10,921 (CHF 9,933) in Zurich to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $7,000 in Spokane, Washington.
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