Cost of Living & Quality of Life in Switzerland (2026)
What everyday life costs in Switzerland — rent, utilities, eating out, transport and schooling — and how it scores on safety, health care, pollution and climate compared with Western Europe.
- Quality of Life Index
- 186.7
- 2024
- Safety Index
- 74.7
- 2024
- Health Care Index
- 72.6
- 2024
- Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre
- $2,036/mo
- 2023
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant
- $29.26
- 2024
- Average monthly net salary
- $6,869
- 2023
Quality of life trends in Switzerland
Typical living costs in Switzerland
US dollars; national figures are medians/averages across cities reported to Numbeo.
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent: 1-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $2,036/mo | 2023 | +20.1% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 1-bedroom, outside centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre | $1,595/mo | 2023 | +19.6% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 3-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $3,557/mo | 2023 | +12.5% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Utilities for an 85 m² apartmentElectricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage, monthly | $272/mo | 2023 | +15.3% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Internet (60 Mbps+)Unlimited broadband, monthly | $53.93/mo | 2023 | +8.4% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Mobile plan (calls + 10GB)Monthly mobile phone plan | $40.43/mo | 2023 | — | Numbeo |
| Meal, inexpensive restaurantCountry median of city prices | $29.26 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Dinner for two, mid-range restaurantThree-course meal for two, country median of city prices | $117 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| CappuccinoRegular cappuccino, country median of city prices | $5.66 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Public transport monthly passCountry median of city prices | $93.62 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Gasoline (1 litre)Country median of city prices | $2.13 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Fitness club membershipCountry median of city prices | $84.42/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Private preschool (full day)Country median of city prices | $936/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Average monthly net salaryAverage monthly salary after tax | $6,869 | 2023 | +17.4% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
Quality of life indices
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of Life IndexComposite index (higher is better) | 186.7 | 2024 | -3.6% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Safety IndexPerceived safety (higher is safer) | 74.7 | 2024 | -2.2% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Health Care IndexPerceived quality of the health care system | 72.6 | 2024 | -2.6% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Pollution IndexPerceived pollution (lower is better) | 22.2 | 2024 | +13.3% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Climate IndexClimate likeability (higher is more pleasant) | 79.2 | 2024 | -0.5% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Year | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Pollution Index | Climate Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 186.7 | 74.7 | 72.6 | 22.2 | 79.2 |
| 2023 | 193.6 | 76.4 | 74.5 | 19.6 | 79.6 |
| 2022 | 195.3 | 78.3 | 74.8 | 19.6 | 80.2 |
| 2021 | 190.8 | 78.7 | 74.5 | 20.1 | 80 |
| 2020 | 192 | 78.4 | 72.4 | 22.4 | 79.2 |
| 2019 | 195.9 | 78.5 | 72.7 | 22 | 80 |
| 2018 | 190.8 | 78.2 | 71.7 | 23 | 79.8 |
| 2017 | 173.5 | 77.6 | 71 | 20.8 | 69.3 |
Switzerland compared with Western Europe
| Country | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Meal, inexpensive restaurant | Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 186.7 | 74.7 | 72.6 | $29.26 | $2,036/mo |
| Austria | 181.5 | 70.7 | 76.6 | $16.51 | $901/mo |
| Belgium | 156.5 | 50.8 | 75.3 | $18.16 | $952/mo |
| France | 152 | 44.7 | 78.1 | $15.41 | $923/mo |
| Germany | 176.5 | 61.1 | 71.7 | $13.76 | $1,058/mo |
| Luxembourg | 207.3 | 65.6 | 76.3 | $22.02 | $1,807/mo |
| Netherlands | 198.5 | 73.7 | 78.9 | $18.44 | $931/mo |
Related
- Properties for sale in Switzerland
- House prices & rental yields in Switzerland
- Switzerland market overview
Source: Numbeo (indices and prices, crowd-sourced). Salary is the average monthly net wage.