You already know that Switzerland in general, and its biggest cities in particular, are expensive. How much can you expect to spend in 2026 in your region?
Since Zurich regularly tops the European – and sometimes even global – ‘cost-of-living’ charts, it is not surprising to anyone that it is also Switzerland’s most expensive location.
But what is surprising is that not only Zurich, but also five other Swiss cities – Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Lugano, and Bern – are the priciest in the world, ahead of even the notoriously expensive New York.
This is what emerges from the most recent data published by the crowd-sourced online database Numbeo.
(And there is another surprise as well: despite the highest cost of living, residents of Swiss cities also have the highest purchasing power, but more about this later).
Let’s crunch the cost-of-living numbers in three largest cities:
Zurich
Overall, the estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 5,518 francs excluding rent.
The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 1,485 francs, also excluding rent.
This may seem reasonable, especially since salaries in Zurich are high – 10,000 francs a month on average – but the picture is different if you add rent prices: a three-bedroom appartment in the city centre will set you back about 4,700 francs, and 3,164 francs farther from the centre.
And then there are utilities, as well as mobile phone plans and internet – about 300 francs a month.
Add to it food, clothing, health and car insurance, public transportation and other expenses, and you can see how expensive life in Zurich really is.
Overall, the cost of living in Zurich is 5.6 percent higher than in Switzerland’s second most expensive city, Geneva.
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Geneva
Here, the average monthly salary reaches 9,300 francs.
The estimated monthly costs for a family of four as well as for a single individual are only slightly lower than in Zurich – 5,278 and 1,433 francs, respectively.
Rents for a three-bedroom flat are a also a little lower: 3,892 francs a month in the centre and 2,936 away from it.
Utilities, mobile plan and internet add up to just over 300 a month.
You can see the overall picture here.
Geneva prices are 12.2 percent higher than in Switzerland’s third-largest city, Basel.
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Basel
The average salary here is 9,500 francs a month.
In terms of costs, a family of four will need to spend 5,207 francs a month, and a single individual, 1,418 francs – not including rent.
Housing is, however, cheaper here than in Zurich and Geneva: 2,857 for a three-bedroom flat in the city centre, and 2,253 francs outside it.
Utilities, mobile plan and internet add up to over 300 francs.
All the costs are listed here.
The cost of living in Basel is 10.9 percent lower than in Geneva, and 5.6 percent lower than in Zurich.
(Please note, however, that these are indicative costs/prices and will vary based on individual circumstances).
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What do international residents say?
A look at various forums provides a more personal glimpse into how expensive these three cities are fir people who actually live there.
For instance, one person said that “Depending on lifestyle, you need between 6,000 and 8,000 francs a month to live comfortably in Zurich,” while another commented that “spending 400 francs for food for a month for one person is easily achievable, and for two usually you have some economies of scale.”
As for Geneva, one person said this: “I’m spending 1,000 a month [on groceries] for two people and a kid. I’d say 500 francs is doable if you plan your meals, and use the offers from the supermarkets, especially on meat which is the most expensive part.”
And another, “We (me, wife and newborn) live in Geneva on 7,000 francs a month net and between rent, healthcare and utilities we are struggling.”
What about Basel? “ If you don’t have any expensive hobbies, then you’ll be absolutely fine with a salary of 80,000 francs a year.”
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Why do these expensive Swiss cities nevertheless have a high purchasing power?
According to Numbeo, Zurich’s purchasing power is 164.4 – 100 is typically used as the benchmark measurement, so 164.4 indicates a high “buying power.”
In Geneva, this number is 158.8, and in Basel it is even higher – 183.7.
How can it be that a city can be expensive and yet its residents can enjoy such a high purchasing potential?
That’s because this particular index is based on the average net salaries, which are higher in these three cities than elsewhere.
READ ALSO: Where in Switzerland will your money go the furthest?
