Switzerland
Switzerland's polished financial capital on a pristine lake, offering world-class dining, a vibrant old town, and easy access to the Alps. Beautiful but expensive.
#1 of 250
211% above average
Monthly cost, one adult
$ 4 497
Based on NYC = 100 index
Zurich is the 1. most expensive of the 250 cities we track — a month here comes to $ 4 497 for one adult.
Most of that goes on housing, which runs 169% above the median city and adds $ 1 756 a month: 1br apartment (city center) $ 3 349, 1br apartment (outside center) $ 2 247. It is also pricier than usual for restaurants, transportation.
Percentages compare this city against the median of all tracked cities, category by category.
54 prices on this page come from live scrapers (16 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 Zurich, Switzerland. Data as of 2026-10-14. https://costcompass.net/living/cities/zurich. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
| Item | Price (USD) | Observations | Last observed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (City Center) | 3,349.15 / month | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Immobilier.ch |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside Center) | 2,247.17 / month | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Immobilier.ch |
| 3BR Apartment (City Center) | 4,141.43 / month | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Immobilier.ch |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside Center) | 3,049.05 / month | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Immobilier.ch |
| Chicken Breast (1kg) | 30.46 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Pork (1kg) | 20.66 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Beef (1kg) | 55.29 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Fish Fillet (1kg) | 21.41 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Deli Meat / Ham (1kg) | 32.78 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Milk (1 liter) | 2.00 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Yogurt (150g) | 1.02 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Cheese (1kg) | 9.02 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Migros Switzerland |
| Butter (200g) | 4.15 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Eggs (12) | 6.83 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Bread (500g) | 1.70 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Migros Switzerland |
| Bread Roll (1pc) | 2.70 / item | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Jumbo NL / Migros CH |
| Pasta (500g) | 1.94 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Rice (1kg) | 2.34 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Oats (500g) | 1.40 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Potatoes (1kg) | 1.93 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | 3.49 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Bell Peppers (1kg) | 4.47 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Carrots (1kg) | 2.39 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Onions (1kg) | 1.98 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Garlic (1kg) | 6.03 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Lettuce (1 head) | 2.60 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Apples (1kg) | 3.36 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Banana (1kg) | 2.99 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Oranges (1kg) | 2.06 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Lentils (1kg) | 5.62 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Canned Tomatoes (400g) | 1.42 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Migros Switzerland |
| Sunflower Oil (1L) | 4.82 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Flour (1kg) | 2.24 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Migros Switzerland |
| Sugar (1kg) | 1.96 / item | 2 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Migros Switzerland |
| Coffee (250g) | 4.76 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Water (1.5 liter) | 1.04 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Orange Juice (1L) | 3.13 / item | 3 | 2026-10-13 | Aldi Suisse, Jumbo NL / Migros CH, Migros Switzerland |
| Monthly Transit Pass | 105.64 / month | 1 | 2026-10-13 | City Transit Fares |
| One-way Ticket | 5.64 / trip | 1 | 2026-10-13 | City Transit Fares |
| Taxi Start | 9.60 / trip | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Official Taxi Tariffs |
| Taxi 1km | 6.00 / 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) | 86.35 / 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 | 25.21 / ticket | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Cinema Ticket Prices |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | 30.01 / hour | 1 | 2026-10-13 | Tennis Court Hire 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 |
Cities where the money splits the same way
Switzerland
Similar share of Housing & Basic Grocery Basket
Netherlands
Similar share of Housing & Transportation
Switzerland
Similar share of Restaurants & Basic Grocery Basket
United States
Similar share of Restaurants & Transportation
Monthly average costs by category
$ 2 798
per month
$ 279
per month
$ 600
per month
$ 261
per month
$ 182
per month
$ 237
per month
$ 75
per month
$ 65
per month