MigrantoCost of living in Switzerland
What a month costs, how prices compare with other countries, and where the money goes
Monthly cost in Switzerland
Spending runs from CHF 1,490 a month in the poorest fifth to CHF 8,370 in the richest
Per person, whole country
CHF 3,330
what a typical person spends in a month
Spending across the population
CHF 1,490richest 20%
CHF 8,370
Where people spend money in Switzerland
One person's out-of-pocket spending, averaged across the whole country
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Key facts
The cost of living in Switzerland in numbers
Health care takes an unusual share of the budget
It absorbs 17.7% of spending here, or CHF 590 a month, against 4.2% in a typical country, 13.5 points more.
Among the most expensive countries in the world
More expensive than 99% of countries. A basket that costs CHF 797 at world-middle prices costs CHF 2,010 here.
The most expensive of its neighbours
Every neighbouring country is cheaper. The same basket costs CHF 2,010 here against CHF 1,500 in Luxembourg, the closest on price.
Typical spending takes 54% of the average wage
A typical person spends CHF 3,330 a month while the average take-home wage is CHF 6,220, so 46% of an average wage sits above what a typical person spends.
How living costs in Switzerland compare
Neighbours, region and the world on the same monthly figure
What things cost here
How much the same goods and services cost in Switzerland against other countries
More expensive than 99% of countries
Where Switzerland sits when every country is lined up from cheapest to most expensive
Pakistanmost expensive
Bermuda
middle
A basket of goods and services that costs CHF 797 at world-middle prices costs CHF 2,010 here.
Data source: household consumption 2023 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2022 (Eurostat), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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What it costs to live in Switzerland
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Cost of living in Switzerland
CHF 1,490/mo
vs CHF 637 in your country
Take-home
CHF 3,180
vs CHF 956 in your country
Potential savings
CHF 1,690
more than in your country
Standard of living
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in Switzerland?
A typical person in Switzerland spends about CHF 3,330 a month — around CHF 40,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the standard of living in Switzerland?
By spending, Switzerland ranks #2 of 185 countries. A typical person spends about CHF 3,330 a month, the poorest 20% about CHF 1,490 and the richest 20% about CHF 8,370. The gap between them shows how unevenly people live.
What is the cost of living in Switzerland in US dollars?
The cost of living in Switzerland is about $4,181 a month, or roughly $50,172 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Switzerland?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about CHF 1,490 a month per person, a typical one around CHF 3,330, and a comfortable life around CHF 4,460. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in Switzerland?
The biggest expense is housing, at about CHF 860 a month (26% of spending). Then come health care (CHF 590, 18%) and transport (CHF 313, 9%).
Is the average salary in Switzerland enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about CHF 3,330 a month, while the average take-home pay in Switzerland is about CHF 6,220. For more on incomes, see salaries in Switzerland.
Is Switzerland an expensive country to live in?
Yes. Switzerland is more expensive than 99% of countries worldwide and ranks 1st of 41 in Europe by cost of living.
What currency is used in Switzerland?
Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF). Amounts on this page are shown in it; the currency switcher converts them.
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Living in Switzerland
See the full country overview