Expenses, Budgets & Financial Planning for Expats
Swiss living costs are extraordinarily high by global standards, but this must be viewed alongside Swiss salaries, which are also among the world's highest. The key is the ratio of income to expenses.
Housing is typically the largest expense. Rental markets are competitive with long waiting lists in desirable areas.
| City/Region | 1-BR Apartment | 3-BR Apartment |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich City | CHF 2,200-3,200 (~$2,464-3,584 USD) | CHF 3,800-5,500 (~$4,256-6,160 USD) |
| Geneva City | CHF 2,000-3,000 (~$2,240-3,360 USD) | CHF 3,500-5,000 (~$3,920-5,600 USD) |
| Basel City | CHF 1,500-2,200 (~$1,680-2,464 USD) | CHF 2,800-4,000 (~$3,136-4,480 USD) |
| Zug | CHF 2,000-2,800 (~$2,240-3,136 USD) | CHF 3,500-5,000 (~$3,920-5,600 USD) |
| Bern | CHF 1,400-2,000 (~$1,568-2,240 USD) | CHF 2,500-3,500 (~$2,800-3,920 USD) |
| Lausanne | CHF 1,600-2,400 (~$1,792-2,688 USD) | CHF 3,000-4,200 (~$3,360-4,704 USD) |
| Smaller cities/towns | CHF 1,200-1,800 (~$1,344-2,016 USD) | CHF 2,000-3,000 (~$2,240-3,360 USD) |
| Category | Single Person | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance (mandatory) | CHF 350-500 | CHF 1,200-1,800 |
| Groceries | CHF 500-700 | CHF 1,200-1,600 |
| Dining out/entertainment | CHF 300-600 | CHF 500-1,000 |
| Transportation | CHF 100-300 | CHF 300-600 |
| Mobile/Internet | CHF 80-150 | CHF 150-250 |
| Personal/Miscellaneous | CHF 200-400 | CHF 400-800 |
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 liter) | CHF 1.60-2.00 |
| Bread loaf | CHF 2.50-4.00 |
| Eggs (12) | CHF 4.00-7.00 |
| Chicken breast (kg) | CHF 25-35 |
| Beef (kg) | CHF 40-70 |
| Apples (kg) | CHF 3.50-5.00 |
| Wine (bottle, mid-range) | CHF 12-25 |
| Beer (0.5L) | CHF 1.50-3.00 |
Many Swiss residents shop in neighboring France, Germany, and Italy where prices are 30-50% lower. This is common and legal within duty-free limits.
Switzerland has excellent public transport. Many expats live car-free.
| Pass Type | Annual Cost | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| GA Travelcard (1st class) | CHF 6,300 (~$7,056 USD) | Unlimited Swiss travel |
| GA Travelcard (2nd class) | CHF 4,080 (~$4,570 USD) | Unlimited Swiss travel |
| Half-Fare card | CHF 185 | 50% off all tickets |
| City monthly pass | CHF 80-120/month | City zone only |
| Expense | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Insurance | CHF 800-2,000 |
| Road tax (Autobahnvignette) | CHF 40 |
| Cantonal vehicle tax | CHF 200-600 |
| Parking (urban) | CHF 1,200-4,800 |
| Fuel (per liter) | CHF 1.80-2.10 |
Context matters—Swiss salaries are substantially higher than US equivalents:
| Profession | Swiss Salary (CHF) | US Equivalent ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 120,000-180,000 | 100,000-160,000 |
| Finance Professional | 150,000-300,000 | 120,000-250,000 |
| Doctor (experienced) | 200,000-400,000 | 200,000-400,000 |
| Teacher | 80,000-120,000 | 45,000-75,000 |
| Nurse | 75,000-95,000 | 60,000-85,000 |
| Service Industry | 50,000-65,000 | 25,000-40,000 |
Swiss social contributions are lower than many countries, and there's no payroll tax equivalent. Combined with moderate income tax (depending on canton), net income is often higher relative to gross than in the US.