Cost of Living in Bern: A Guide

Are you thinking about what the cost of living in Bern would be if you decide to study abroad? Bern is the capital city of Switzerland and one of the most beautiful and historic cities in Europe. It is famous for its medieval old town, its bear park, its cultural and political significance, and its high-quality education. But how much does it cost to live in Bern? In this guide, we will explore the average monthly living cost in Bern for different aspects of life, such as accommodation, food, entertainment, utilities, and transportation. Read on to find out!

Also Read: A Guide on Cost of Living in Switzerland

Why Choose Bern to Study Abroad?

The capital of Switzerland is famous for its stunning scenery. Despite the high cost of living in Bern, it’s also a sought-after city, offering high-quality education to international students. Here are some other reasons why students should pursuing their education overseas in Bern:

1. Bern offers top-class education to international students. The University of Bern is one of the prestigious institutions here, ranked among the top 200 universities in the world. 
2. The city provides excellent research facilities and opportunities for students, with more than 50 research institutes and centers.
3. Bern has a low cost of living compared to other Swiss cities like Zurich, Geneva, Basel, or Lausanne. Students can also apply for scholarships and grants from various sources.
4. It offers a favorable environment for personal and professional development. Students can enjoy the high quality of life and safety in Bern, which is ranked as the second-safest city in the world. 

Cost of Living in Bern

The average monthly cost of living in Bern is around CHF 1,411 without rent. This is based on the assumption that you are living alone in a studio apartment in a normal area of the city. Of course, your actual expenses may vary depending on your lifestyle, preferences, and needs. Here is a breakdown of the average monthly living cost in Bern for different categories:

Category	Average Monthly Cost
Accommodation	CHF 1,472
Food	CHF 376
Entertainment	CHF 181
Utilities and Bills	CHF 221
Transportation	CHF 101

Let’s take a closer look at each category and see what they include.

Also Read: Cost of Living in Zurich

Living Accommodation

The biggest cost of living in Bern is accommodation. The city has a high demand for housing and a low supply, making it one of the most expensive places to rent in Switzerland. Here’s a breakdown of the monthly rent for different kinds of housing:

Type of Accommodation	Monthly Rent
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre	CHF 1,133
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre	CHF 866
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre	CHF 2,325
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre	CHF 1,703

If you are looking for cheaper options, you can consider sharing an apartment with other people or living in a student residence. Here are some of the monthly rent for different types of student accommodations in Bern:

Type of Accommodation	Monthly Rent
Single room in a shared apartment	CHF 543-724
Studio apartment in a student residence	CHF 724-905
Double room in a student residence	CHF 453-634

Food

The second biggest cost of living in Bern is food. The city has a variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars that cater to different tastes and budgets. However, eating out can be quite expensive, especially if you do it often. Here’s how much it costs to eat out in Bern:

Food/Drink	Cost
Meal in an inexpensive restaurant	CHF 23
Meal for two people in a mid-range restaurant	CHF 80
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal)	CHF 15
Cappuccino (regular)	CHF 4.72

To save money on food, you can cook your own meals at home or buy ready-made meals from supermarkets or convenience stores. Here are some of the prices of grocery items in Bern:

Grocery Item	Price (in CHF)
Milk (1 liter)	1.62
Bread (500 g)	2.42
Eggs (12)	5.24
Cheese (500 g)	10.67
Chicken Fillets (1 kg)	25.50
Rice (White) (1 kg)	2.10
Apples (1 kg)	3.35
Bananas (1 kg)	2.51
Tomatoes (1 kg)	3.49
Potatoes (1 kg)	1.94
Onion (1 kg)	1.72
Lettuce (1 head)	1.75
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)	10

Also Read: Best Country to Settle Abroad and Live Comfortably in 2023!

Entertainment

The third biggest expense for living in Bern is entertainment. The city has a lot of cultural and recreational activities that you can enjoy like cinemas, festivals, nightlife venues, and so on. But it can also be quite costly if you do them frequently. Here are some examples of the prices of different types of entertainment in Bern:

Type of Entertainment	Price
Movie ticket	CHF 18
Theatre ticket	CHF 36-72
Museum ticket	CHF 9-18
Concert ticket	CHF 45-90
Festival ticket	CHF 90-181
Sports event ticket	CHF 18-45
Nightclub entry fee	CHF 9-18
Drink in a bar	CHF 5-9
Gym membership (monthly)	CHF 68

To save money on entertainment, you can look for free or discounted events or activities that are offered by the city or by various organizations. 

Utilities and Bills

The fourth biggest cost of living in Bern is utilities and bills. The average monthly cost of utilities and bills for a 1-bedroom apartment in Bern is CHF 221. These costs will vary depending on the size of your apartment, the season, and your usage. Here are some examples of the prices of different types of utilities and bills in Bern:

Type of Utility or Bill	Monthly Cost
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment	CHF 265.05
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data	CHF 60.33
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	CHF 43.64

If you want to save money on utilities and bills, you can try to reduce your consumption by using energy-efficient appliances, turning off lights and devices when not in use, and choosing a cheaper internet or phone plan.

Transportation

The fifth biggest cost of living in Bern is transportation. The average monthly cost of public transportation in Bern is CHF 101. The city has a well-developed public transportation system that consists of buses, trams, trains, and funiculars. Here are some examples of the prices of different modes of transportation in Bern:

Mode of Transportation	Price
Bus or tram ticket (one-way)	CHF 3.2
Train ticket (one-way)	CHF 4.5-9.1
Funicular ticket (one-way)	CHF 2.3
Monthly pass for city zone	CHF 101
Monthly pass for regional zone	CHF 181-272
Taxi fare (per km)	CHF 4.1
Gasoline (per liter)	CHF 1.95

This is based on the assumption that you buy a monthly pass for the city zone. If you travel outside the city zone, you may need to pay extra fares or buy a regional pass. If you want to save money on transportation, you can also use other modes of transportation, such as walking, biking, or carpooling.

Average Tuition Fees in Bern, Switzerland

The average tuition fees in Bern, Switzerland varies depending on the type and level of study, the institution, and the nationality of the student. Here are some general estimates based on:

Type of University	Tuition Fees
For public universities	1,600 EUR per year (UG and PG programs) 100-200 EUR per year (for PhD programs)
For private universities	43,000 EUR per year
International/boarding schools	CHF 22,700 – 35,900

However, some public universities charge higher fees for non-EU/EEA students or for all international students. At the University of Bern, non-Swiss students pay an additional 200 CHF per semester. Some private universities offer discounts for paying the full amount in advance or calculate the fees based on the number of courses or credits.

Also Read: Top Ways to Have the Best Study Abroad Experience

Living in Bern can be an amazing experience, but it can also be quite expensive. The average monthly cost of living in Bern is around CHF 1,411 without rent, which is higher than many other cities in Switzerland and Europe. However, there are ways to reduce your expenses by choosing cheaper options for accommodation, food, entertainment, utilities, and transportation. By doing so, you can enjoy the beauty and culture of Bern without breaking the bank!

FAQs

We hope that this blog helped you discover the cost of living in Bern, Switzerland. To learn more about student life abroad, stay tuned to Leverage Edu. Thank you for reading!