Living Costs in Switzerland for Students and Workers

Last updated on September 23rd, 2025 at 10:31 am

Although Indonesia provides everything its citizens need to live a decent life, sometimes some individuals find themselves needing to seek opportunities to live abroad. For example, when someone aspires to work and pursue an education abroad, such as in Switzerland.

When facing a situation like this, the first step is to gain a thorough understanding of daily living expenses. If you plan to settle in Switzerland for a certain period, it’s important to have a good understanding of the estimated monthly cost of living during your stay in Switzerland.

Cost of Living in Switzerland for Students and Workers

To get a more accurate estimate of the cost of living in Switzerland, you need to break it down according to your needs. This includes the cost of food and beverages, transportation, housing, and additional expenses such as entertainment.

1. Cost of Food and Drink in Switzerland

When it comes to food and beverage costs in Switzerland, the majority of the population—including students—tends to buy food at supermarkets and occasionally eat at restaurants. At supermarkets, the estimated monthly grocery bill ranges from 180 to 300 euros, or about Rp3.1 million to Rp5.1 million. 

At regular restaurants, the cost of a single meal per person ranges from 12 to 22 euros, or about 207,000 to 379,000 rupiah, while campus cafeterias are cheaper, at around 7 to 8 euros, or the equivalent of 120,000 to 138,000 rupiah. Prices for beverages such as coffee or soda range from 3 to 4 euros, depending on the brand and size.

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2. Transportation Costs

As for transportation costs, if your daily activities are still centered around campus, students generally don’t need a large budget. Walking or biking is usually sufficient. If you use public transportation, the monthly cost is around 40 to 50 euros—or about 690,000 to 863,000 rupiah—and a one-way trip costs about 2.5 euros.

3. Housing Costs

As for housing costs, if you’re a student, you’ll typically live in a dormitory, with monthly costs ranging from 360 to 800 euros, or the equivalent of 6.2 million to 13.8 million rupiah. Another option is to live in an apartment, which costs around 650 to 800 euros per month, or the equivalent of 11.2 million to 13.8 million rupiah.

4. Other Expenses

In addition to the expenses listed above, you’ll also need to set aside money for extras like entertainment—such as going to the gym or seeing a movie. A gym membership typically costs around 75.5 euros per month, or the equivalent of 1.3 million rupiah. Meanwhile, the price of a single movie ticket ranges from 15 to 16 euros, or the equivalent of 259,000 to 276,000 rupiah.

Total Monthly Cost of Living in Switzerland

Overall, the cost of living can vary from person to person and cannot be generalized, even among people living in the same city. It all depends on each individual’s lifestyle and needs. However, when discussing the cost of living in Switzerland in general, we can provide an estimate of living expenses based on the city where a person lives. 

For example, in some well-known Swiss cities, such as Geneva, the cost ranges from 1,600 to 1,700 euros, or the equivalent of Rp27.6 million to Rp29.3 million. Meanwhile, in Zurich, the cost ranges from 1,200 to 1,700 euros, or the equivalent of 20.7 million to 29.3 million rupiah. In Bern, it’s around 1,100 euros, or the equivalent of 18.9 million rupiah, and in Basel, it ranges from 900 to 950 euros, or the equivalent of 15.5 million to 16.3 million rupiah. 

Although these estimates of the cost of living cannot be taken as a definitive benchmark—since everyone has different needs—the average cost of living in Switzerland is quite high. However, the cost of living is commensurate with the salary you would earn if you lived there.

Tips for Saving on Living Expenses in Switzerland

Here are some tips to help you save on living expenses while living in Switzerland. First, start by creating a detailed monthly budget to understand how much money you have and how you’ll manage your expenses. 

Second, take advantage of efficient public transportation options such as trains, buses, or trams to reduce your transportation costs. Third, take advantage of discount cards offered for transportation, museums, and other attractions to get discounted rates. 

Fourth, shop wisely by choosing supermarkets that offer more affordable prices, and cooking at home can help you save money compared to eating out at restaurants every day. Fifth, consider living outside the city center or sharing a place with friends or fellow students to reduce your rent.

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Sixth, take advantage of free attractions such as parks, beaches, and cultural events to have fun without spending any money. Finally, if possible, look for a part-time job or side gig if you’re studying there to supplement your income and ease financial pressure.

Now that you know about the estimated cost of living and tips for saving money in Switzerland, are you more convinced about moving there? Of course, the main consideration before moving somewhere is the cost of living.

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