Cost of living in Zurich (Switzerland) is 30% cheaper than in New York City (United States)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in New York City or in Zurich? You can help!
Improve the prices for New York City! Improve the prices for Zurich!
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 971 prices entered by 199 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | - 3% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Zurich (Switzerland) is about the same as in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | New York City | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | CHF 30 ($34) | $27 | + 25% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | CHF 17 ($19) | $17 | + 12% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | CHF 9 ($10) | $7 | + 54% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | CHF 1.69 ($1.92) | $1.24 | + 54% | |
| 12 eggs, large | CHF 8 ($10) | $9 | + 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | CHF 4.37 ($4.95) | $6 | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | CHF 10 ($11) | $8 | + 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | CHF 3.44 ($3.89) | $5.39 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | CHF 2.47 ($2.79) | $2.09 | + 34% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | CHF 2.05 ($2.32) | $5.32 | - 56% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | CHF 15 ($17) | $27 | - 38% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | CHF 2.98 ($3.38) | $3.28 | + 3% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | CHF 2.12 ($2.39) | $4.13 | - 42% | |
| Housing | - 37% | |||
| Housing in Zurich (Switzerland) is 37% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | New York City | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | CHF 3,682 ($4,167) | $6,598 | - 37% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,456 ($2,780) | $4,304 | - 35% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | CHF 359 ($407) | $244 | + 67% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | CHF 2,191 ($2,480) | $4,962 | - 50% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | CHF 1,462 ($1,655) | $3,303 | - 50% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | CHF 81 ($92) | $155 | - 41% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | CHF 48 ($55) | $88 | - 38% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | CHF 351 ($397) | $611 | - 35% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | CHF 84 ($95) | $145 | - 34% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | CHF 14 ($16) | $18 | - 10% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | CHF 32 ($37) | $35 | + 5% | |
| Clothes | + 2% | |||
| Clothes in Zurich (Switzerland) is about the same as in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | New York City | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | CHF 122 ($138) | $96 | + 43% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | CHF 67 ($76) | $77 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | CHF 107 ($121) | $149 | - 19% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | CHF 167 ($189) | $247 | - 24% | |
| Transportation | - 35% | |||
| Transportation in Zurich (Switzerland) is 35% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | New York City | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | CHF 34,443 ($38,981) | $61,673 | - 37% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | CHF 1.83 ($2.07) | $1.17 | + 77% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 85 ($97) | $191 | - 49% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | CHF 54 ($62) | $29 | + 113% | |
| Personal Care | - 25% | |||
| Personal Care in Zurich (Switzerland) is 25% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | New York City | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | CHF 16 ($18) | $14 | + 27% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | CHF 22 ($25) | $32 | - 20% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | CHF 130 ($148) | $233 | - 37% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | CHF 5.73 ($6) | $12 | - 45% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | CHF 4.95 ($5.60) | $9 | - 36% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | CHF 5.22 ($5.90) | $13 | - 53% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | CHF 3.32 ($3.76) | $8 | - 53% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | CHF 3.38 ($3.83) | $2.61 | + 47% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | CHF 60 ($68) | $37 | + 85% | |
| Entertainment | - 39% | |||
| Entertainment in Zurich (Switzerland) is 39% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Zurich | New York City | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | CHF 62 ($70) | $101 | - 30% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | CHF 36 ($41) | $40 | + 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | CHF 197 ($223) | $536 | - 58% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | CHF 140 ($158) | $201 | - 21% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | CHF 17 ($20) | $29 | - 33% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | CHF 5.95 ($7) | $11 | - 37% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | CHF 7 ($8) | $16 | - 47% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | CHF 543 ($615) | $710 | - 13% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | CHF 0.54 ($0.61) | $1.04 | - 41% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | CHF 76 ($85) | $242 | - 65% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | CHF 9 ($10) | $21 | - 52% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 30% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 971 prices entered by 199 different people.
These prices were last updated on November 22, 2024.
Exchange rate:
1.132
USD
/
CHF
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in Dublin is about the same as in Melbourne
- Cost of living in Madrid is 6% cheaper than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Paris is 30% cheaper than in London
- Cost of living in Toronto is 47% cheaper than in New York City
- Cost of living in Calgary is about the same as in Victoria
- Cost of living in Montevideo is about the same as in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 80% more expensive than in Bogotá
- Cost of living in Madrid is 22% cheaper than in Warsaw
- Cost of living in London is 24% cheaper than in New York City
- Cost of living in Tokyo is 44% cheaper than in Singapore
Compare other countries
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $20,000 in New York City you would need to make just about $13,921 (CHF 12,300) in Zurich.
Do you live in New York City? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bogotá (Colombia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Thessaloniki (Greece)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Toronto (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Lima (Peru)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bilbao (Spain)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Valletta (Malta)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Mexico City (Mexico)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bologna (Italy)
Prices recently added
- 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality in Karachi costs ₨1,000 (about 4 hours ago)
- Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) in Virginia Beach, Virginia costs $11 (about 4 hours ago)
- 1 liter of gasoline in Yekaterinburg costs руб 56 (about 5 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in San Salvador costs $30 (about 6 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Melbourne costs AU$24 (about 6 hours ago)
- Monthly rent - 85 m2 furnished accommodation in expensive area in São Paulo costs R$ 5,000 (about 7 hours ago)