Switzerland (CH)
Switzerland is a landlocked federal republic of 26 cantons at the heart of Europe, bordered by Germany, France, Italy, Austria, and Liechtenstein.
Capital: Bern
Region: Europe
Language: German
Currency: CHF (CHF)
Cost of living: Very expensive (index 122)
Emergency: 112
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Switzerland — 2026 data in CHF.
122
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
High cost of living. One of the more expensive destinations for expats.
Rent
Studio apartment, Zurich city centre CHF 1,600–2,400
2-bed apartment, Zurich city centre CHF 2,600–3,800
2-bed apartment, Zurich outskirts (Zone 110) CHF 2,000–2,900
2-bed apartment, Geneva city centre CHF 2,500–3,600
2-bed apartment, Bern CHF 1,800–2,600
2-bed apartment, Basel CHF 1,700–2,500
2-bed apartment, Lausanne CHF 1,900–2,700
2-bed apartment, Lugano (Ticino) CHF 1,400–2,100
3-bed family apartment, Zurich family suburb CHF 2,800–4,200
Rural village 3-bed, Aargau/Thurgau CHF 1,500–2,300
Utilities
Electricity, 2-person apartment CHF 60–120
Heating (oil/gas, winter months) CHF 80–180
Water, 2-person CHF 30–50
Serafe (TV/radio licence, mandatory) CHF 27.92/month (CHF 335/year)
Internet 500 Mbit fibre CHF 50–75
Mobile phone unlimited (Salt/Sunrise) CHF 20–40
Mobile phone unlimited (Swisscom) CHF 45–80
Food & Groceries
Bread loaf (500g Halbweissbrot) CHF 3.20–4.50
Milk 1L (M-Budget) CHF 1.50
Milk 1L (Bio-branded) CHF 2.40–2.80
Eggs, 6 free-range CHF 4.50–6.50
Chicken breast 1kg CHF 22–38
Rice 1kg CHF 2.50–5
Gruyère cheese 200g CHF 5.50–8
Pasta 500g CHF 1.50–3
Apples 1kg CHF 3.50–5.50
Coca-Cola 1.5L CHF 2.20–3
Bottle of wine (Swiss) CHF 12–25
Bottle of wine (imported supermarket) CHF 8–15
Beer 6-pack 330ml CHF 8–12
Dining Out
Menu du jour (lunch special) CHF 20–28
Main course in casual restaurant CHF 25–38
Pizza in a pizzeria CHF 18–26
Mid-range restaurant dinner for two (3 courses + wine) CHF 130–220
Michelin-starred tasting menu CHF 220–450/person
Cappuccino CHF 4.50–5.50
Beer (50cl, bar) CHF 6–9
Kebab/Falafel CHF 10–15
Transport
Single tram/bus ticket, Zurich CHF 4.60
Single ticket, Geneva (short zone) CHF 3.00
Day pass, Zurich city (ZVV zones 110) CHF 9.20
Monthly pass, Zurich all zones CHF 85–180
Halbtax (annual) CHF 185
GA travelcard (annual, 2nd class adult) CHF 3,995
Zurich–Geneva return (2nd class, full fare) CHF 184 (CHF 92 with Halbtax, CHF 40–65 supersaver)
Taxi — 5 km in Zurich CHF 25–35
Motorway vignette (annual, mandatory) CHF 40
Uber 10 km in Zurich CHF 25–40
Petrol (95 unleaded, per litre) CHF 1.78–1.95
Diesel (per litre) CHF 1.85–2.05
Childcare
Kita full-time (5 days/week, full price) CHF 2,500–3,500/month
Kita with full Zurich subsidy (low income) CHF 400–900/month
Spielgruppe (2 mornings/week) CHF 180–350/month
Primary school (public) Free (books, stationery ~CHF 300/year)
Private International School (day) CHF 25,000–45,000/year
Health & Insurance
Basic KVG/LAMal (Zurich, age 35) CHF 380–520/month
Basic KVG/LAMal (Geneva, age 35) CHF 470–620/month
Basic KVG/LAMal (Appenzell, age 35) CHF 260–340/month
Private supplementary hospital insurance CHF 80–250/month (age-dependent)
Household contents + personal liability (Hausrat + Haftpflicht) CHF 180–350/year
Car liability + partial casco, mid-range vehicle CHF 800–1,500/year
Leisure
Gym membership (Migros Fitnesspark) CHF 85–140/month
Premium gym (Update Fitness, NonStop) CHF 60–110/month
Ski day pass (Verbier, adult) CHF 82
Ski season pass (single resort, adult) CHF 1,200–1,800
Magic Pass (all-inclusive, 70+ resorts) CHF 509 (early-bird adult)
Cinema ticket CHF 18–22
Concert ticket (mid-range) CHF 60–120
Opera ticket (Opernhaus Zurich, mid) CHF 90–250
Swimming pool day ticket (Badi) CHF 6–12
Annual Badi/Hallenbad pass CHF 200–400
Books (paperback novel) CHF 18–28
Cost of Living
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