Cost of living in France compared to Switzerland
Currency:
| Food | - 36% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in France is 36% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| France | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | €20 (CHF 19) | CHF 28 | - 33% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | €11 (CHF 11) | CHF 16 | - 33% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | €6 (CHF 5.98) | CHF 11 | - 47% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | €1.15 (CHF 1.08) | CHF 1.77 | - 39% | |
| 12 eggs, large | €4.84 (CHF 4.55) | CHF 7 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | €2.93 (CHF 2.75) | CHF 3.95 | - 30% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | €8 (CHF 7) | CHF 10 | - 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | €2.83 (CHF 2.66) | CHF 3.66 | - 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | €2.02 (CHF 1.89) | CHF 2.53 | - 25% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | €2.26 (CHF 2.12) | CHF 2.36 | - 10% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | €10 (CHF 9) | CHF 19 | - 53% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | €2.52 (CHF 2.36) | CHF 2.73 | - 14% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | €1.33 (CHF 1.25) | CHF 2.49 | - 50% | |
| Housing | - 45% | |||
| Housing in France is 45% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| France | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | €1,771 (CHF 1,663) | CHF 3,392 | - 51% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | €1,460 (CHF 1,370) | CHF 2,380 | - 42% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | €250 (CHF 234) | CHF 223 | + 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | €1,160 (CHF 1,089) | CHF 2,020 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | €854 (CHF 802) | CHF 1,545 | - 48% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | €120 (CHF 112) | CHF 154 | - 27% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | €24 (CHF 22) | CHF 39 | - 42% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | €255 (CHF 239) | CHF 388 | - 38% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | €120 (CHF 113) | CHF 148 | - 24% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | €9 (CHF 9) | CHF 19 | - 54% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | €15 (CHF 14) | CHF 30 | - 53% | |
| Clothes | - 25% | |||
| Clothes in France is 25% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| France | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | €92 (CHF 86) | CHF 107 | - 19% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | €40 (CHF 38) | CHF 50 | - 24% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | €108 (CHF 101) | CHF 134 | - 25% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | €96 (CHF 90) | CHF 170 | - 47% | |
| Transportation | - 21% | |||
| Transportation in France is 21% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| France | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | €29,639 (CHF 27,829) | CHF 31,964 | - 13% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | €1.76 (CHF 1.66) | CHF 1.79 | - 8% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | €62 (CHF 58) | CHF 80 | - 28% | |
| Personal Care | - 38% | |||
| Personal Care in France is 38% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| France | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | €10 (CHF 9) | CHF 12 | - 22% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | €18 (CHF 17) | CHF 18 | - 7% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | €26 (CHF 25) | CHF 105 | - 77% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | €6 (CHF 5.78) | CHF 5.34 | + 8% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | €4.56 (CHF 4.29) | CHF 5.10 | - 16% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | €4.56 (CHF 4.28) | CHF 5.10 | - 16% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | €2.28 (CHF 2.14) | CHF 4.57 | - 53% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | €3.78 (CHF 3.55) | CHF 3.94 | - 10% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | €24 (CHF 23) | CHF 47 | - 52% | |
| Entertainment | - 50% | |||
| Entertainment in France is 50% cheaper than in Switzerland | ||||
| France | Switzerland | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | €45 (CHF 42) | CHF 76 | - 44% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | €23 (CHF 22) | CHF 38 | - 43% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | €105 (CHF 98) | CHF 141 | - 30% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | €63 (CHF 60) | CHF 123 | - 52% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | €12 (CHF 11) | CHF 18 | - 40% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | €3.92 (CHF 3.68) | CHF 5.65 | - 35% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | €7 (CHF 7) | CHF 8 | - 10% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | €502 (CHF 471) | CHF 497 | - 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | €0.14 (CHF 0.14) | CHF 0.59 | - 77% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | €30 (CHF 28) | CHF 89 | - 69% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | €12 (CHF 12) | CHF 9 | + 27% | |
| TOTAL | - 38% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 20, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.939
CHF
/
EUR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,767 prices entered by 293 different people.
Cost of living in France is 38% cheaper than in Switzerland
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