Switzerland
A picturesque Swiss city on a stunning lake, known for its medieval Chapel Bridge, mountain excursions, and a perfectly preserved old town.
#6 of 250
166% above average
Monthly cost, one adult
$ 3 846
Based on NYC = 100 index
Lucerne is the 6. most expensive of the 250 cities we track — a month here comes to $ 3 846 for one adult.
Most of that goes on housing, which runs 115% above the median city and adds $ 1 194 a month: 1br apartment (city center) $ 2 347, 1br apartment (outside center) $ 2 125. It is also pricier than usual for restaurants, entertainment.
Percentages compare this city against the median of all tracked cities, category by category.
51 prices on this page come from live scrapers (14 sources, observed September 16, 2026 to October 13, 2026). They are free to reuse under CC BY 4.0: credit CostCompass and link this page.
CostCompass (2026). Cost of living in Lucerne, Switzerland. Data as of 2026-10-14. https://costcompass.net/living/cities/lucerne. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
| Item | Price (USD) | Observations | Last observed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (City Center) | 2,346.81 / month | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Immobilier.ch |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside Center) | 2,124.73 / month | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Immobilier.ch |
| 3BR Apartment (City Center) | 2,700.93 / month | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Immobilier.ch |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside Center) | 2,591.26 / month | 1 | 2026-10-07 | Immobilier.ch |
| Chicken Breast (1kg) | 29.99 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Pork (1kg) | 20.71 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Beef (1kg) | 53.16 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Fish Fillet (1kg) | 21.08 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Deli Meat / Ham (1kg) | 48.26 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Milk (1 liter) | 2.00 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Yogurt (150g) | 0.97 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Cheese (1kg) | 9.02 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse |
| Butter (200g) | 4.15 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Eggs (12) | 6.83 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Bread (500g) | 1.70 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse |
| Bread Roll (1pc) | 2.70 / item | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Pasta (500g) | 1.95 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Rice (1kg) | 2.34 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Oats (500g) | 1.40 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 1.92 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | 3.42 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Bell Peppers (1kg) | 4.49 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Carrots (1kg) | 2.39 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Onions (1kg) | 1.98 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Garlic (1kg) | 6.03 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 2.36 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Apples (1kg) | 3.31 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Banana (1kg) | 2.99 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Oranges (1kg) | 2.06 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Lentils (1kg) | 5.62 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Canned Tomatoes (400g) | 1.42 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse |
| Sunflower Oil (1L) | 4.82 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Flour (1kg) | 2.24 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse |
| Sugar (1kg) | 1.96 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse |
| Coffee (250g) | 4.76 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Water (1.5 liter) | 1.06 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Orange Juice (1L) | 3.13 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Migros Switzerland, Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Taxi Start | 7.92 / trip | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Official Taxi Tariffs |
| Taxi 1km | 4.80 / km | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Official Taxi Tariffs |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | 2.53 / liter | 1 | 2026-10-13 | National fuel price sources |
| Basic Utilities (85m2 Apt) | 89.60 / month | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Official Electricity Tariffs |
| Mobile Plan (10GB+) | 35.95 / month | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Telecom Operator Prices |
| Internet (60 Mbps+) | 59.96 / month | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Telecom Operator Prices |
| Fitness Club (Monthly) | 127.04 / month | 1 | 2026-10-13 | European Entertainment Chains |
| Cinema Ticket | 24.01 / ticket | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Cinema Ticket Prices |
| Cold Medicine (6 days) | 2.88 / item | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Online Pharmacies (API) |
| Antibiotics (12 doses) | 10.55 / item | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Official Drug Price Lists |
| Jeans (Levis or Similar) | 80.46 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | AboutYou & local fashion e-shops, H&M |
| Summer Dress (Chain Store) | 78.18 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | AboutYou & local fashion e-shops, H&M |
| Running Shoes (Nike, Adidas) | 228.02 / pair | 1 | 2026-10-13 | AboutYou & local fashion e-shops |
| Business Shoes (Leather) | 233.99 / pair | 1 | 2026-10-13 | AboutYou & local fashion e-shops |
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Monthly average costs by category
$ 2 236
per month
$ 275
per month
$ 623
per month
$ 140
per month
$ 186
per month
$ 247
per month
$ 75
per month
$ 65
per month