Cost of living in Switzerland compared to Belgium
Currency:
| Food | + 64% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Switzerland is 64% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Switzerland | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 29 (€30) | €19 | + 59% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 16 (€17) | €11 | + 56% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 10 (€11) | €5.57 | + 99% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.80 (€1.91) | €1.28 | + 49% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 (€9) | €3.54 | + 144% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.14 (€4.40) | €2.84 | + 55% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 10 (€10) | €6 | + 65% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.58 (€3.80) | €2.59 | + 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.73 (€2.90) | €2.11 | + 37% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 2.14 (€2.28) | €2.08 | + 10% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 18 (€19) | €8 | + 148% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 3.12 (€3.31) | €3.05 | + 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.88 (€3.06) | €2.00 | + 53% | |
| Housing | + 91% | |||
| Housing in Switzerland is 91% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Switzerland | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,316 (€3,524) | €1,505 | + 134% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,346 (€2,493) | €1,249 | + 100% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 199 (€212) | €271 | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 2,132 (€2,265) | €873 | + 160% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,490 (€1,584) | €663 | + 139% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 133 (€141) | €154 | - 8% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 45 (€48) | €50 | - 3% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 349 (€371) | €302 | + 23% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 115 (€122) | €110 | + 11% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 17 (€19) | €17 | + 7% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 31 (€33) | €12 | + 181% | |
| Clothes | + 42% | |||
| Clothes in Switzerland is 42% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Switzerland | Belgium | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 106 (€113) | €88 | + 29% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 62 (€66) | €42 | + 57% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 128 (€136) | €101 | + 34% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 152 (€162) | €129 | + 26% | |
| Transportation | + 38% | |||
| Transportation in Switzerland is 38% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Switzerland | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 33,930 (€36,059) | €32,008 | + 13% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.86 (€1.98) | €1.68 | + 18% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 77 (€82) | €52 | + 58% | |
| Personal Care | + 59% | |||
| Personal Care in Switzerland is 59% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Switzerland | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 15 (€16) | €12 | + 34% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 18 (€19) | €14 | + 36% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 125 (€132) | €32 | + 314% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.00 (€5.32) | €5.29 | + 1% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 5.47 (€5.82) | €9 | - 34% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 9 (€9) | €4.92 | + 88% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 5.19 (€5.52) | €1.60 | + 245% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 5.03 (€5.34) | €4.00 | + 34% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 57 (€61) | €27 | + 128% | |
| Entertainment | + 125% | |||
| Entertainment in Switzerland is 125% more expensive than in Belgium | ||||
| Switzerland | Belgium | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 83 (€88) | €43 | + 104% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 41 (€43) | €26 | + 66% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 169 (€180) | €90 | + 100% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 149 (€158) | €94 | + 68% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 20 (€21) | €12 | + 83% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 6.00 (€6) | €3.51 | + 81% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 8 (€9) | €5.03 | + 70% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 581 (€618) | €561 | + 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 1.00 (€1.06) | €0.25 | + 325% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 104 (€111) | €31 | + 259% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 (€9) | €10 | - 3% | |
| TOTAL | + 71% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 21, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.063
EUR
/
CHF
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 848 prices entered by 179 different people.
Cost of living in Switzerland is 71% more expensive than in Belgium
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