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Cost of Living in Switzerland for International and Indian Students 2024
Edited By Stuti Jain | Updated on Jul 05, 2024 10:09 AM IST
Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world for Indian students. The average living expenses in Switzerland per month is Rs 1,50,000 to cover the cost of rent. This is an approximate figure of the living expenses in Switzerland. The Cost of Living in Switzerland for Indian students is approximately 378.7% higher than India.
This Story also Contains
- Cost of Living in Switzerland for Indian Students 2024
- Cost of Living in Switzerland for International Students 2024
- Cost of Studying in Switzerland 2024
- Accommodation Cost in Switzerland 2024
- Food Expenses in Switzerland
- Cost of Living in Switzerland for Clothes
- Cost of Transportation in Switzerland
- Utility Costs in Switzerland 2024
- Tuition Fees in Switzerland for International Students 2024
- Top Student Cities in Switzerland 2024
- Cost of Living in Switzerland vs India 2024
- Tips for Saving Money in Switzerland
The actual cost of living in Switzerland for international students varies on different factors such as accommodation, food, clothing, and the spending habits of an individual. Tuition fees and city accommodation are the two most important factors influencing the monthly expenditures of Indian students in Switzerland. An average undergraduate degree in Switzerland costs between Rs. 60,000 and Rs. 70,000 per semester.
This article covers the key factors influencing the cost of living in Switzerland 2024 in comparison to India. Students planning to study in Switzerland should read the entire article to learn about differences in living expenditures in famous cities in Switzerland, top university tuition fees, techniques for saving money in the country, and more.
Cost of Living in Switzerland for Indian Students 2024
Expense List | Living expenses in Switzerland per month |
Accommodation | Rs 1,50,000 |
Food | Rs 15,000 |
Transportation | Rs 7,500 (monthly pass) |
Utilities | Rs 30,000 |
Estimated monthly cost | Rs 269,500 |
Cost of Living in Switzerland for International Students 2024
The average living expenses in Switzerland for international students is approximately Rs 2 to 3 lakhs per month. These living expenses are calculated by summing up all the basic expenditures such as accommodation, food, transportation, and utilities. All major expenses which one can expect while living in Switzerland are mentioned in detail below:
Cost of Studying in Switzerland 2024
Tuition fees in Switzerland are quite affordable for international students. The approximate semester fees for international students range between CHF 700 and CHF 800 in the public universities. Apart from tuition fees, students are subjected to pay additional charges such as application fees, scholarship funds, sports association fees, and more. Candidates must check the official website of the university to learn more about the tuition fees, and other related costs.
Accommodation Cost in Switzerland 2024
Accommodation in Switzerland is 736.6% higher than in India. The single-room accommodation cost in Switzerland is approximately Rs 1.5 lakhs per month. However, outside the city centre, housing facilities are available at much cheaper rates.
Living expenses in Switzerland
Accommodation type | Average Monthly Costs |
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | Rs 150,000 |
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | Rs 125,000 |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | Rs 280,000 |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | Rs 230,000 |
Food Expenses in Switzerland
Switzerland has high food expenses for international students. If compared to India, the overall food expenses in Zurich are 80.8% higher than in Delhi. The prices for groceries in Delhi are 76.9% lower than in Zurich. Students must have home-cooked meals to reduce restaurant or other food expenses.
Cost of Food in Switzerland 2024
Category | Cost in Rupees |
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | Rs 2400 |
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, | Rs 10,200 |
McMeal at McDonalds or equivalent | Rs 1400 |
Coffee | Rs 450 |
Soft drinks | Rs 400 |
Water | Rs 350 |
Milk 1L (regular) | Rs 185 |
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | Rs 300 |
Rice (white), (1kg) | Rs 330 |
Apples (1kg) | Rs 300 |
Banana (1kg) | Rs 200 |
Oranges (1kg) | Rs 250 |
Tomato (1kg) | Rs 480 |
Potato (1kg) | Rs 200 |
Onion (1kg) | Rs 200 |
Lettuce (1 head) | Rs 200 |
Local Cheese (1kg) | Rs 2200 |
Eggs (regular) | Rs 550 |
Chicken Fillets (1kg) | Rs 2400 |
Cost of Living in Switzerland for Clothes
The cost of clothing in Switzerland varies on different factors such as brand shopping, quality of cloth, location, and season. Students can buy clothing from flea markets or local shops to save money.
Living expenses in Switzerland: Clothes
Category | Cost in Rupees |
1 Pair of Jeans | Rs 10,200 |
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store | Rs 5,000 |
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes | Rs 11,000 |
1 Pair of Men Leather Shoes | Rs 14,500 |
Cost of Transportation in Switzerland
Public transport in Switzerland is quite affordable. Students are advised to use public buses and trains to save some money. The monthly pass for public transport in Switzerland is CHF 80. One way ticket for local transport is Rs 325. Other costs for transportation in Switzerland are mentioned below.
Transportation expenses in Switzerland for Indian students
Category | Cost |
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | Rs 325 |
Monthly Pass | Rs 7,500 |
Taxi Start | Rs 600 |
Taxi 1km | Rs 360 |
Taxi 1 hour | Rs 6,000 |
Gasoline (1L) | Rs 170 |
Utility Costs in Switzerland 2024
Apart from housing, food, and transportation fees, international students have to cover other expenses such as electricity, water, mobile phone bills, internet charges, and more. The cost of utilities in Switzerland for Indian students is mentioned below.
Living expenses in Switzerland: Utilities
Category | Cost |
Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, and Garbage | Rs 20,500 |
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls | Rs 4,400 |
Internet | Rs 4,500 |
Tuition Fees in Switzerland for International Students 2024
University | QS 2025 World University Rankings | Average tuition fees |
ETH Zurich | 7 | Rs 67,714 per semester |
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne | 26 | Rs 72,352 per semester |
University of Zurich | 109 | Rs 66,787 |
University of Basel | 131 | Rs 78,846 |
University of Bern | 161 | Rs 69,570 |
Top Student Cities in Switzerland 2024
According to QS Best Student Cities 2025, Zurich and Lausanne have been ranked among the top popular student cities in Switzerland for international students. Zurich is ranked 8th in the world with an overall score of 94.5, while Lausanne is ranked 17th worldwide with an overall score of 87.8. The cost of living in Lausanne is 4.3% higher than that of Zurich. However, the cost of rent is 16.1% lower than in Zurich. The overall cost of living in both cities is approximately Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh.
Popular cities in Switzerland
Popular Cities in Switzerland | Cost of living in Switzerland |
Zurich | Rs 153,000 to Rs 223,000 |
Lausanne | Rs 153,000 to Rs 223,000 |
Cost of Living in Switzerland vs India 2024
The overall cost of living in Switzerland is comparatively higher than that of living in India. According to the latest report of Numbeo, the cost of living in Switzerland is 378.7% higher than in India. Whereas, rent prices are 736.6% higher than in major Indian cities. This difference is due to various living expenses such as housing, food, transportation, and other utilities.
Living Expenses in Switzerland vs India
Category | Cost of Living in Switzerland (per month) | Cost of Living in India (per month) |
Accommodation | Rs 150,000 | Rs. 5,000-15,000 |
Food | Rs 15,000 | Rs. 500-2000 |
Transportation | Rs 7,500 (monthly pass) | Rs. 1,000-3,000 |
Utilities | Rs 30,000 | Rs. 8,000 |
Tips for Saving Money in Switzerland
Living in Switzerland can be financially exhausting for Indian students. However, some effective tips can help students to save their money while studying in Switzerland. Check out the below-mentioned tips that can help students manage their living expenses in Switzerland:
To save money on rent, students must look for a house or flat (in sharing) outside the city centre.
Cook the meals at home to avoid spending money at costly places or expensive restaurants.
Try to take public transport or local trains for shorter trips.
To save money on clothing, buy thrifted clothes or from local department stores.
Seek financial aid and scholarships from the university to reduce the burden of educational expenses.
Choose public universities over private universities to minimise tuition fees.
Make use of public libraries, sports facilities, and computer labs which are often free for students.
Also Read:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it expensive to live in Switzerland?
Yes, living in Switzerland is highly expensive for Indian students. Living expenses include the cost of housing, food, transportation, and other personal expenses. The overall cost of living in Switzerland is 378.7% higher than in India. Cities like Zurich, Geneva, and others are known for their high standard of living, however, the quality of life and other benefits are also exceptional.
2. What salary do you need to live comfortably in Switzerland?
To live comfortably in Switzerland, a single person usually needs a salary of 70,000 to 100,000 CHF per year, depending on location and lifestyle. This covers housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and other activities which can provide a comfortable life with a high standard of living in Switzerland.
3. How much do Indians earn in Switzerland?
Indians in Switzerland usually have an average income ranging from CHF 90,000 to CHF 130,000 per year. This can vary based on various factors such as industry, job role, experience, and qualifications. Indian people can get higher salaries in high-demand sectors such as IT, finance, and engineering.
4. Is it cheaper to live in Switzerland than USA?
Living expenditures in Switzerland are generally higher than those in the United States. The cost of living in the United States is 30.3% lower than in Switzerland. Several factors such as strong currency, and expensive healthcare all contribute to Switzerland's high standard of living.
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