Bern vs Zurich
Monthly cost of living in both cantons side by side
BE
Bern
Monthly Costs
CHF 3'980
CHF 47'760 / year
-4.1% vs CH Average
Difference
CHF -870
/month
/year
CHF -10'440
Bernis cheaper
ZH
Zurich
Monthly Costs
CHF 4'850
CHF 58'200 / year
+16.9% vs CH Average
Detailed Comparison
Monthly Costs (Single Person)
| Category | Bern (BE) | Zurich (ZH) | Difference | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | CHF 3'980 | CHF 4'850 | CHF -870 (-17.9%) | BE |
| Rent | CHF 1'320 | CHF 1'850 | CHF -530 (-28.6%) | BE |
| Health insurance | CHF 389 | CHF 428 | CHF -39 (-9.1%) | BE |
| Food | CHF 560 | CHF 650 | CHF -90 (-13.8%) | BE |
| Transport | CHF 290 | CHF 350 | CHF -60 (-17.1%) | BE |
| Utilities | CHF 155 | CHF 180 | CHF -25 (-13.9%) | BE |
| Entertainment | CHF 220 | CHF 280 | CHF -60 (-21.4%) | BE |
| Taxes | CHF 720 | CHF 762 | CHF -42 (-5.5%) | BE |
| Other | CHF 326 | CHF 350 | CHF -24 (-6.9%) | BE |
Source: BFS, HABE (Haushaltsbudgeterhebung), As of 2024
Visual Comparison
Rent
CHF -530
BE
CHF 1'320
ZH
CHF 1'850
Health insurance
CHF -39
BE
CHF 389
ZH
CHF 428
Food
CHF -90
BE
CHF 560
ZH
CHF 650
Transport
CHF -60
BE
CHF 290
ZH
CHF 350
Utilities
CHF -25
BE
CHF 155
ZH
CHF 180
Entertainment
CHF -60
BE
CHF 220
ZH
CHF 280
Taxes
CHF -42
BE
CHF 720
ZH
CHF 762
Other
CHF -24
BE
CHF 326
ZH
CHF 350
Cost Index
100 = CH Average
Bern
98
Zurich
112
CH
100