Cost of living in Switzerland compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 48% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Switzerland is 48% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Switzerland | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 28 ($32) | $20 | + 61% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 15 ($18) | $11 | + 58% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 11 ($13) | $5.41 | + 136% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.75 ($2.04) | $1.05 | + 94% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 ($9) | $4.44 | + 113% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 3.86 ($4.50) | $4.44 | + 1% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 9 ($11) | $7 | + 57% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.64 ($4.24) | $4.02 | + 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.47 ($2.88) | $2.11 | + 36% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 2.59 ($3.02) | $3.75 | - 19% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 17 ($20) | $17 | + 15% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 3.36 ($3.92) | $2.84 | + 38% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.46 ($2.87) | $2.65 | + 8% | |
| Housing | + 15% | |||
| Housing in Switzerland is 15% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Switzerland | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 2,898 ($3,378) | $2,828 | + 19% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,318 ($2,702) | $2,119 | + 27% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 364 ($424) | $220 | + 93% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 1,869 ($2,179) | $1,984 | + 10% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,326 ($1,546) | $1,498 | + 3% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 108 ($126) | $162 | - 22% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 51 ($60) | $61 | - 2% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 349 ($407) | $265 | + 54% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 115 ($134) | $139 | - 4% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 15 ($18) | $14 | + 25% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 30 ($35) | $32 | + 7% | |
| Clothes | + 40% | |||
| Clothes in Switzerland is 40% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Switzerland | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 98 ($115) | $57 | + 103% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 61 ($71) | $55 | + 30% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 103 ($120) | $101 | + 19% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 135 ($157) | $136 | + 15% | |
| Transportation | + 28% | |||
| Transportation in Switzerland is 28% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Switzerland | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 31,584 ($36,817) | $29,248 | + 26% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.88 ($2.19) | $0.96 | + 127% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 78 ($91) | $77 | + 19% | |
| Personal Care | + 53% | |||
| Personal Care in Switzerland is 53% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Switzerland | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 15 ($17) | $9 | + 90% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 10 ($12) | $24 | - 51% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 180 ($209) | $170 | + 23% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.72 ($7) | $9 | - 22% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 12 ($14) | $4.91 | + 189% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 11 ($13) | $6 | + 108% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 5.38 ($6) | $4.93 | + 27% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 5.39 ($6) | $2.38 | + 164% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 53 ($62) | $29 | + 110% | |
| Entertainment | + 73% | |||
| Entertainment in Switzerland is 73% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Switzerland | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 87 ($101) | $59 | + 72% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 41 ($47) | $29 | + 62% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 169 ($197) | $224 | - 12% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 163 ($190) | $101 | + 87% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 20 ($24) | $14 | + 64% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 7 ($9) | $5.79 | + 50% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 8 ($9) | $7 | + 24% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 519 ($605) | $512 | + 18% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 1.00 ($1.17) | $0.55 | + 111% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 104 ($121) | $63 | + 93% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 ($10) | $10 | - 2% | |
| TOTAL | + 37% | |||
These prices were last updated on October 12, 2024.
Exchange rate:
1.166
USD
/
CHF
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 17,425 prices entered by 2,275 different people.
Cost of living in Switzerland is 37% more expensive than in United States
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