Zurich is located in north-central Switzerland. It is the global center of banking and finance. Zurich is the home to various universities catering to almost 1,200 countries worldwide. This city is one of the most expensive cities in Europe and also in the world. But, if you have planned your expenses and have sufficient financial back-up then, it would be a great experience living in Zurich.
Apart from academic excellence, the city sits on the beautiful Lake Zurich and is surrounded by picturesque mountains that make it one of the most sought-after study destinations for international students. Explore this blog to get details about the cost of living in Zurich!
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Also Read: University of Zurich
Cost of Living in Zurich
Zurich is considered the major financial centre in the world and is ranked as the top financial hub. The city is home to various banks and financial institutions. Zurich is also famous for technological advancements and pharmaceutical industries.
The cost of living in Zurich for a single person is CHF 4,608 per month excluding house rent. In addition, a family of four requires CHF 7,658 per month without rent.
Also Read: Cost of Living in Switzerland
Mentioned below are the expenses that students encounter while living in Zurich:
Accommodation Cost
Finding accommodation is the most difficult part of studying abroad. Being a student you can opt for student accommodation to manage the cost of living in Zurich. Here are some accommodation options and their rent on a monthly basis:
Type of Accommodation | Rent |
Monthly rent for 900 sqft fully furnished accommodation in an expensive area | CHF 4,113 |
Monthly rent for 480 sqft fully furnished studio in an expensive area | CHF 1,927 |
Monthly rent for 900 sqft fully furnished accommodation in normal area | CHF 2,952 |
Monthly rent for 480 sqft fully furnished studio in a normal area | CHF 1,626 |
Also Read: MBA in Switzerland
Transportation Cost
Mentioned below are the transportation costs in Zurich:
Mode of Transport | Cost |
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent) | CHF 34,000 |
Monthly ticket public transport | CHF 86 |
One-way ticket (local transport) | CHF 4.24 |
Gasoline (litre) | CHF 1.86 |
Taxi Trip (Basic Tariff) | CHF 46 |
Also Read: ETH Excellence Scholarship
Food Cost
Food is the main thing to consider while staying away from your home. To save some money students should either choose to eat in a University mess or make their own food. Eating outside in some fancy restaurants on a daily basis will create a great burden on your pocket.
Mentioned below are the cost of food items and cost of meals at restaurants:
Food | Price |
Lunch including a drink (1 person) | CHF 26 |
Chicken Breast (500 grams) | CHF 14 |
Meal at restaurant | CHF 16 |
Milk (1 litre) | CHF 1.67 |
Local Cheese | CHF 12 |
12 eggs | CHF 9 |
Tomatoes (1 kg) | CHF 3.53 |
Potatoes (1 kg) | CHF 2.07 |
Onion (1 kg) | CHF 2.22) |
Apples (1 kg) | CHF 3.82 |
Oranges (1 kg) | CHF 3.07 |
Banana (1 kg) | CHF 2.14 |
McMeal at McDonald’s | CHF 15.43 |
Cappuccino | CHF 5.44 |
Also Read: Student accommodation
Utility Cost
You need to spend some amount of your monthly expenses on important utilities including internet bills, electricity bills, phone bills, etc. To manage the cost of living in Zurich you need to smartly plan your budget to save money and live comfortably in Zurich, Switzerland.
Given below are some utilities and their cost on a monthly basis:
Utility | Price |
Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | CHF 55 |
Microwave 800/900 watt | CHF 115 |
40 inches flat screen television | CHF 412 |
Cleaning help (hourly rate) | CHF 34 |
Basic electricity, cooling, heating, garbage, and water bill for 85-meter square apartment | CHF 282.98 |
Monthly mobile phone bill | CHF 37.55 |
Internet bill (it includes 60 Mbps data and more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) | CHF 53.76 |
Also Read: Best Restaurants near ETH Zurich
Entertainment Cost
You will definitely seek some best restaurants, or top hangout spots near Zurich to spend your spare time and hang out with friends. It would be your source of entertainment in a foreign land.
Mentioned below are some entertainment costs in Zurich:
Activity | Price |
Dinner at restaurant | CHF 63 |
Movie tickets for 2 persons | CHF 38 |
Theatre tickets for 2 persons | CHF 166 |
Gym Membership for a month | CHF 91 |
Personal Care
Medicine and items of personal care and their prices are given below:
Product | Price |
Medicine for Cough and Cold (6 days) | CHF 16 |
Visit to Doctor | CHF 135 |
1 box of antibiotics | CHF 24 |
1 box of tampons | CHF 7 |
Hair Shampoo | CHF 5.61 |
Deodorant | CHF 4.58 |
Toothpaste | CHF 3.16 |
4 rolls of Toilet paper | CHF 3.75 |
Also Read: Top Hangout Spots near ETH Zurich
Cost of Studying in Zurich
Here is the list of Universities and their average fee structure:
Name of the Universities | Fees |
University of Zurich | 720 CHF to 1220 CHF |
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) | 1300 CHF |
Zurich University of Arts | 1431.25 CHF |
Zurich University of Applied Science | 1600 CHF |
Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences | 3750 CHF to 7500 CHF |
Also Read: How much will it cost to study abroad?
FAQs
A1. Zurich is considered one of the most expensive cities in Europe. But if you manage your expenses through smart budgeting then it would be easy for you to spend a comfortable stay in Zurich. Students can do part-time jobs to determine their expenses while studying in Zurich.
A2. An individual needs to earn an average salary of 6220.38 Fr. to lead a comfortable life in Zurich.
A3. Students living in Zurich can find various types of accommodation in Zurich. A typical 4.5-room apartment costs CHF 3,000, and 2 room apartment costs CHF 1,700.
This was all about the Cost of Living in Zurich. If you have further queries or need assistance with your study abroad journey, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts at Leverage Edu. We are here to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience for you.