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If you want to save money with a one-off purchase, you can buy a pair of running shoes for about CHF 107. The chart below shows the range of hotel prices for a one night stay in Switzerland. If you're trying to figure out how much you should pay for a reservation, this graph breaks down the costs by price range. The average cost of a monthly public transport ticket sits at 86.45 USD¹⁰. However, in Zurich the average sits at above 90 USD/month — a cost worth considering if you intend to commute by public transport⁴.
Prices for the terrific rooms are from $171, and it's located at . A great place to stay is Hotel Tannenhof Zermatt which has nice rooms starting at $158. Offering skiing, a restaurant, a bar, and hiking, it also has a great guest rating of 9.99 out of 10 from previous guests. Located at , Interhome - Chalet Enfin has great rooms from $155 . It offers hiking, mountain views, rooms with kitchens, and laundry facilities.
Cost of living in Switzerland vs the US
Zurich is known as the financial capital of Switzerland, and a big draw for expats coming to progress their careers in the country. However, costs are on the high side compared to some other Swiss cities. One way many people manage this is to live over the border in France where rent and living costs are lower, and commute into Geneva on a daily basis.

Realadvisor.ch needs to review the security of your connection before proceeding. Currently, only around 1% of existing buildings have been refurbished to boost their energy efficiency. The Swiss government set up a scheme in 2010 using money from a CO2 levy to provide funding for homeowners to convert their properties to make them more green.
Rental laws in Switzerland
In comparison to many European countries, Switzerland doesn’t have much social housing at all. However, there have been moves in the last few years to encourage the Swiss government and the cantons to make at least 10% of new builds social housing. Renting housing in Switzerland is more common in urban areas, particularly in cities such as Geneva, Basel, and Zurich. However, you can also find plenty of houses including cottages in rural areas. Apartments are typically quite sizeable and often have access to a communal garden. Swiss property law has remained fairly consistent since 1907, undergoing no major changes.
The country also has a higher employment rate than most OECD countries. You can find a variety of property types in Switzerland to buy or rent. These include apartments in tenement blocks, detached houses, farmhouses, and even a few chateaus. Prices tend to be more expensive in the more populous cities such as Geneva and Zurich. Looking for a short-term rental in Switzerland to kick-start your new life in the Alps? Get your Swiss adventure off to the best start possible and find your next temporary home on Homelike.
Switzerland average income: full breakdown
Prices for Hotels with Kitchens in SwitzerlandThe chart below shows the range of the cost of hotels with kitchens for a one night stay in Switzerland. If you're trying to figure out how much you should pay for hotels with kitchens, this graph tabulates the costs by price range. Prices for Hotels with Parking in SwitzerlandThe chart below shows the range of the cost of hotels with parking for a one night stay in Switzerland.

A huge 12% of GDP is dedicated to health and medical costs overall¹³. Interestingly, there’s no national minimum wage in Switzerland. However, some cantons do have local minimum wage arrangements which tend to be in the region of 20 CHF/hour. Although exchange rates change all the time with global markets, at the time of writing that’s just over 21 USD/hour. If you’re retiring, temporarily relocating or moving to Switzerland for good, it’s helpful to have a picture of what life there will cost as an expat.
Tax on personal income in Switzerland can comprise 3 separate costs — federal income tax, canton taxes and municipal taxes. Most of the taxes involved are progressive — meaning the more you earn, the higher the tax rate that applies. However, some municipal taxes are flat rate and applied to everyone.

From picture perfect alpine scenes, to the buzzing, beer fuelled festivals celebrated throughout the country, there's something for everyone in Switzerland. Just make sure to choose a city that fits your budget, and you’re good to go. Basel attracts a huge number of expats — and particularly those working in life sciences, medicine and pharmaceuticals. Many global organizations are based in Basel including giants like Roche and Novartis — leading to great career opportunities as well as a high quality of life.
How much you need to pay for food and drink will depend to a large extent on your lifestyle and personal preferences. Where you live will make a difference to the rental costs you can expect — here are a few examples for major cities, taken from Numbeo. In keeping with the cost of living, salaries all over Switzerland are high.
If you’d rather own a house instead of renting, you might consider buying a place in Switzerland as an investment and a place to live during your stay. Here are some average costs to consider across major Swiss locations. Housing is always going to be a big cost — whether you’re living in the US or in Switzerland. Switzerland is a dream expat destination, with great career opportunities, a developed economy and infrastructure, and an excellent quality of life.
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