Cost of living in Switzerland compared to Canada
Currency:
| Food | + 53% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Switzerland is 53% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 26 (C$39) | C$23 | + 69% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 16 (C$23) | C$13 | + 78% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 12 (C$17) | C$9 | + 103% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.73 (C$2.56) | C$3.00 | - 15% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 (C$12) | C$5.66 | + 120% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.49 (C$7) | C$5.19 | + 28% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 11 (C$16) | C$10 | + 72% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 4.28 (C$6) | C$5.01 | + 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.43 (C$3.61) | C$3.05 | + 18% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 2.14 (C$3.18) | C$3.60 | - 12% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 13 (C$19) | C$18 | + 6% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 2.75 (C$4.08) | C$3.11 | + 31% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.66 (C$3.96) | C$2.93 | + 35% | |
| Housing | + 74% | |||
| Housing in Switzerland is 74% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,746 (C$5,560) | C$2,731 | + 104% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,813 (C$4,175) | C$2,117 | + 97% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 231 (C$343) | C$221 | + 55% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 2,181 (C$3,238) | C$1,778 | + 82% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,591 (C$2,362) | C$1,401 | + 69% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 125 (C$186) | C$127 | + 47% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 55 (C$82) | C$72 | + 13% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 472 (C$700) | C$441 | + 59% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 110 (C$164) | C$208 | - 22% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 20 (C$29) | C$14 | + 104% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 31 (C$46) | C$29 | + 59% | |
| Clothes | + 75% | |||
| Clothes in Switzerland is 75% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 111 (C$165) | C$80 | + 107% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 63 (C$93) | C$57 | + 64% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 121 (C$180) | C$122 | + 47% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 190 (C$282) | C$149 | + 89% | |
| Transportation | + 26% | |||
| Transportation in Switzerland is 26% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 37,102 (C$55,074) | C$30,830 | + 79% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.86 (C$2.77) | C$1.68 | + 65% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 79 (C$117) | C$105 | + 11% | |
| Personal Care | + 65% | |||
| Personal Care in Switzerland is 65% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 13 (C$19) | C$13 | + 46% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 26 (C$39) | C$29 | + 35% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 211 (C$313) | C$114 | + 174% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.94 (C$9) | C$9 | - 0% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.15 (C$6) | C$7 | - 10% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 7 (C$10) | C$7 | + 56% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.09 (C$4.58) | C$4.94 | - 7% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.81 (C$5.65) | C$3.43 | + 65% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 53 (C$79) | C$31 | + 153% | |
| Entertainment | + 50% | |||
| Entertainment in Switzerland is 50% more expensive than in Canada | ||||
| Switzerland | Canada | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 79 (C$118) | C$64 | + 83% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 38 (C$57) | C$32 | + 81% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 139 (C$206) | C$170 | + 21% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 126 (C$187) | C$113 | + 66% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 18 (C$27) | C$15 | + 87% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.21 (C$8) | C$5.36 | + 44% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 7 (C$10) | C$7 | + 35% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 702 (C$1,042) | C$755 | + 38% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.33 (C$0.49) | C$0.42 | + 15% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 88 (C$131) | C$63 | + 109% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 (C$13) | C$17 | - 21% | |
| TOTAL | + 53% | |||
These prices were last updated on October 01, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.484
CAD
/
CHF
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 6,032 prices entered by 908 different people.
Cost of living in Switzerland is 53% more expensive than in Canada
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