Cost of Living

Zurich, Switzerland

Live cost-of-living data for Zurich — rent, groceries, transport, healthcare and more, sourced and cross-checked by AI and refreshed regularly.

CheapestNew York = 100
47/ 10053% cheaper than New York
+21% rent since Jul 2026
$5,961/mo
Median Income
76/100
Safety
40%
Income Tax
temperate
Climate

Cost Breakdown by Category

Each score runs 0–100, where higher means pricier. Representative prices shown per category.

Housing
88/100
1-Bed Apartment (City Center)$3,630/month
1-Bed Apartment (Outside Center)$2,660/month
3-Bed Apartment (City Center)$7,480/month
Food & Groceries
78/100
Milk (1 liter)$1.2/liter
Bread (500g loaf)$3.2/loaf
Rice (1 kg)$2.8/kg
Transportation
55/100
Monthly Transit Pass$112/month
One-Way Ticket$6/trip
Taxi (1 km)$2.5/km
Utilities
65/100
Basic (Elec, Heat, Water, Garbage) 85m2$269/month
Internet (60+ Mbps)$55/month
Mobile Plan (10GB+)$35/month
Healthcare
70/100
Doctor Visit (15 min)$200/visit
Dentist Visit$180/visit
Prescription Medicine (avg)$20/course
Education
70/100
Preschool/Kindergarten (monthly)$800/month
International Primary School (yearly)$20,000/year
Language Course (12 weeks)$600/course
Entertainment
60/100
Cinema Ticket (1 seat)$18/ticket
Theater Ticket$55/ticket
Museum Entry$20/ticket
Clothing
70/100
Jeans (Levi's or similar)$85/pair
Summer Dress (Zara/H&M)$55/piece
Running Shoes (Nike/Adidas)$120/pair
Personal Care
65/100
Haircut (Men)$35/cut
Haircut (Women)$65/cut
Shampoo (400ml)$7/bottle
Dining Out
70/100
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant$22/meal
Meal for 2 (Mid-Range)$120/meal
McMeal at McDonald's$15/meal
Childcare
70/100
Full-Day Daycare (monthly)$1,200/month
Babysitter (per hour)$22/hour
Pack of Diapers (60 ct)$28/pack
Fitness & Sports
60/100
Gym Membership (monthly)$80/month
Tennis Court Rent (1 hr)$35/hour
Swimming Pool (adult entry)$12/entry

Digital Nomad Profile

297 Mbps
Internet Speed
$300
Coworking/Month
excellent
Café WiFi
high
English Level
growing
Nomad Community
85/100
Walkability

Best neighborhoods: Seefeld, Wiedikon, Kreis 4

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Zurich cheap to live in?

Zurich has a cost of living index of 47/100, where New York = 100. It is 53% cheaper than New York. A single person can live comfortably for approximately $1,700–$2,380 per month.

How much does rent cost in Zurich?

A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center of Zurich costs approximately $3,630/month. Outside the center, expect to pay around $2,660/month.

Is Zurich good for digital nomads?

Zurich has a growing digital nomad community. Average internet speed is 297 Mbps, café wifi reliability is excellent, and coworking spaces run about $300/month. English proficiency is high.

What is the average salary in Zurich?

The median net monthly salary in Zurich is approximately $5,961 USD. The income tax rate is around 40%.

How does Zurich compare to New York for cost of living?

Zurich (cost index 47) is 53% cheaper than New York (cost index 100). You could save roughly $1,325/month by moving from New York to Zurich.

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