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Cost of Living in Switzerland for International and Indian Students 2025
Edited By Prabhjyot Kaur | Updated on May 12, 2025 05:29 PM IST
Cost of living in Switzerland for students: Studying and living in Switzerland can be slightly more expensive for international students as it is one of the most expensive countries in the world. The average living expenses in Switzerland per month is CHF 1470 (Rs 1,40,000) for students without rent according to Numbeo. The overall cost of Living in Switzerland for Indian students is approximately 409.3% higher than in India. The rent or accommodation cost in Switzerland is 791.7% higher than in India. Students can expect to pay an average of CHF 1,665 (Rs 1,60,000) to cover the accommodation cost of living in Switzerland per month. Switzerland is one of the hyped destinations known for its food, scenic locations and beautiful culture. Majority of Indian students aspire to be a part of this country; however, budgeting beforehand for the living cost of Switzerland is crucial. It is important to be aware of the Switzerland's living expenses, tips and tricks to manage finances, top universities and more. Moreover, Switzerland's education system has been ranked 28th globally in the 2025 World Population Review. Despite the high cost of living, many international students choose to study there for its quality education.
This Story also Contains
- Cost of Living in Switzerland for Indian Students in 2025: An Overview
- Cost of Living in Switzerland for International Students 2025
- Accommodation Cost in Switzerland 2025
- Food Expenses in Switzerland
- Cost of Transportation in Switzerland
- Utility Costs in Switzerland 2025
- City Wise Overal Cost of Living in Switzerland 2025
- Top Student Cities and Their Living Costs in Switzerland 2025
- Cost of Studying in Switzerland 2025
- Cost of Living in Switzerland vs India 2025
- Tips for Saving Money in Switzerland 2025
- Conclusion: The Overall Cost of Living in Switzerland 2025
The actual living expenses in Switzerland 2025 vary from individual to individual depending on personal choices, lifestyles, and luxuries chosen. Some of the factors that contribute to the cost of living in Swiss for international students include accommodation, food, clothing, transportation, books, & other supplies. Thousands of students aspire to study here despite the high cost of living in Switzerland per year. This is due to the country's strong educational system.
Generally, the tuition fees in Swiss universities vary as per the institution; however, the average cost of tuition in Switzerland is CHF 500–2,000 per semester/term. The majority of students often worry about budgeting the higher cost of living in Switzerland; this article got them covered. This article covers the key factors influencing the cost of living in Switzerland 2025 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. Let's first delve into the highlights of what we have covered:
Cost of Living in Switzerland for Indian Students in 2025: An Overview
Living expense list | Estimated expenses (CHF) | Estimated expenses (INR) |
Accommodation/ Rent | 900-1,500 | 84,000-1.40 Lakh |
Food/Grocery | 500-900 | 46,000-84,000 |
Transportation | 80-150 | 7,500-14,023 |
Leisure | 100-300 | 9,000-28,000 |
Utility Bills | 150-250 | 14,000-23,000 |
Total | 1730-3050 | 1.62 Lakh-2.86 Lakh |
Cost of Living in Switzerland for International Students 2025
The average living expenses in Switzerland for international students is approximately Rs 1.5 to 3 lakhs per month. These living expenses are calculated by summing up all the basic expenditures such as accommodation, food, transportation, and utilities. We have thereby mentioned the major expenses contributing to the cost of living in Switzerland per month in the heading below. Prospects can look into these for clear understanding. Here are the details for living in Switzerland.
Accommodation Cost in Switzerland 2025
Accommodation in Switzerland is 791.7% 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. We have given both accommodation cost of living in Switzerland in INR and in CHF below. Students can choose either University dorms or Off-campus apartments for living in Switzerland. Finding cheap and best housing in Switzerland can be challenging but not impossible. Also, the actual housing costs in Switzerland may vary from property to property and location. Hence, check out the cost of housing in Switzerland for Indian students in the table below:
Living Expenses in Switzerland: Accommodation Rent
| Accommodation type | Average Monthly Costs (CHF) | Average Monthly Costs (INR) |
On campus Accommodations | 600 - 1000 | 59,000 to 99,500 |
1 Bedroom Apartment (in the city centre) | 1800 | 1.79 Lakh |
1 Bedroom Apartment (outside the city centre) | 1450 | 1.44 Lakh |
3 Bedroom Apartment (in the city centre) | 3176 | 3.15 Lakh |
3 Bedroom Apartment (outside the city centre) | 2500 | 2.48 Lakh |
Cost of living in Switzerland: Accommodation Rent in Best Student Cities
Cities | Accommodation costs (CHF) | Accommodation costs (INR) |
Geneva | 1,700-3,000 CHF | 1.59-2.80 Lakh |
Zurich | 1,500-2,000 CHF | 1.40-1.87 Lakh |
Interlaken | 1,500-3,000 CHF | 1.40-2.80 Lakh |
Bern | 900-1,200 CHF | 84,000-1.12 Lakh |
Basel | 1,500-3,000 CHF | 1.40-2.80 Lakh |
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. Hence, the breakdown of the cost of food and groceries in Switzerland is given below for Indian students in the table:
Cost of Food in Switzerland per month 2025:
Student Cities | Meals Cost (CHF) | Meals Cost (CHF) |
Zurich | 15-120 | 1,400-11,000 |
Geneva | 25-125 | 2,000-11,000 |
Bern | 25-90 | 2,300-8,000 |
Interlaken | 30-80 | 2,800-7,000 |
Basel | 25-120 | 2,000-11,000 |
Also, one must note that the overall living cost of Switzerland 2025 depends on the student's lifestyle and choices. Some of the tips ad tricks to save money on food in Switzerland include:
- Cooking at home rather than frequenting restaurants.
- Creating a meal plan to avoid impulse buys at the market
- Take advantages of student discounts
Cost of Transportation in Switzerland
Public transport in Switzerland 2025 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 than public transportation, the cost of transportation is pretty high in Switzerland. A more affordable way to get around the city is using biking for Indian students. Other costs for transportation in Switzerland are mentioned below.
Transportation Cost Of Living In Switzerland Per Month
Student Cities | Transport costs (CHF) | Transport Costs (INR) |
Zurich | 180-250 CHF | 16,000-23,000 |
Geneva | 300-350 CHF | 2,000-32,000 |
Bern | 300-450 CHF | 27,000-41,000 |
Interlaken | 360-450 CHF | 29,000-41,000 |
Basel | 300-400 CHF | 28,000-37,000 |
Utility Costs in Switzerland 2025
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. It is an important component of average living cost in Switzerland 2025. The cost of utilities in Switzerland for Indian students is mentioned below.
Cost of living in Switzerland Per Month: Utility Bills
Student Cities | Utilities Bills (CHF) | Utilities Bills (INR) |
Zurich | 30-250 | 2,000-23,000 |
Geneva | 50-200 | 4,000-18,000 |
Bern | 45-250 | 4,000-23,000 |
Interlaken | 50-250 | 4,000-23,000 |
Basel | 50-215 | 4,000-20,000 |
City Wise Overal Cost of Living in Switzerland 2025
Indian students should understand the average cost of living in Switzerland to plan their finances effectively. Knowing these expenses will help them manage their budget while studying abroad. Zurich, Bern, Geneva, Interlaken, and Basel are some of the best student cities in Switzerland. Here, we have given the accommodation rent, transportation, food, utilities, & other aspects contributing to the overall cost of living in Switzerland for Indian students 2025 below. Students can refer to these estimated expenses in CHF for reference.
Cost of living in Switzerland for International Students:
City | Accommodation | Transportation | Food | Utilities | Total |
Zurich | 1,500-2,000 | 5-90 | 15-120 | 30-250 | 1,550-2,460 |
Bern | 900-1,200 | 5-80 | 25-90 | 45-250 | 975-1,620 |
Geneva | 1,700-3,000 | 3-70 | 25-125 | 50-200 | 1,778-3,395 |
Interlaken | 1,500-3,000 | 3-60 | 30-80 | 50-250 | 1,583-3,390 |
Basel | 1,500-3,000 | 5-90 | 25-120 | 50-215 | 1,580-3,425 |
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Note: All Values are in CHF
Top Student Cities and Their Living Costs in Switzerland 2025
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 For International Students
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 Studying in Switzerland 2025
Tuition fees in Switzerland are quite affordable for international students in government universities. The approximate semester fees for international students range between CHF 1,000 (Rs 9,600) and CHF 2,000 (Rs 1,91,200) in public universities. Apart from tuition fees, students are subjected to additional charges such as application fees, scholarship funds, sports association fees, and more. Switzerland offers stunning scenery and high-quality education for international students. With 10 universities in Switzerland ranked in the QS World University Rankings 2025, it is a great choice for Indian students and hence cost of studying is important for them to understand. Its universities attract students worldwide for their academic excellence.
The average cost of studying in Switzerland costs around CHF 17,000 (Rs 16,25,500) to CHF 90,000 (Rs 86,06,000) per year in private universities on average. However, the exact tuition fees vary depending upon the education institution, study level, and the course field. Here is a list of top universities in Switzerland and the tuition fees associated with it for the academic year 2025.
Top Universities's Tuition Fees in Switzerland 2025:
University | QS WUR (2025) | Tuition fees per year for Indian students (CHF) |
ETH Zurich | 7 | 1,470 |
EPFL (École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne) | 26 | 1,266 |
University of Zurich | 109 | 1,470 |
University of Basel | 131 | 1,500 |
University of Geneva | 155 | 1,000 |
University of Bern | 161 | 1,800 |
University of Lausanne | 224 | 1,297 |
USI (Università della Svizzera italiana) | 405 | 8,000 |
Some students might often wonder about the cost of living in Switzerland in private universities. Here is a list of some of the top private universities in Switzerland along with their tuition fees for the academic year 2025: Students must note that the below mentioned tuition fees as a part of cost of living in Swiss are given on average. The exact cost of Switzerland universities might vary.
Top Private Universities' Tuition Fees in Switzerland 2025:
University | Tuition fees per year (CHF) | Tuition fees per year (INR) |
Swiss Hotel Management School | 35,000-60,000 | 32-56 Lakh |
IMD Business School | 115,000 | 1 Crore |
Webster University | 40,000-75,000 | 40-75 Lakh |
Swiss School of Business & Management | 13,000-18,000 | 12-18 Lakh |
International Business Academy of Switzerland | 20,000-70,000 | 18-65 Lakh |
Cost of Living in Switzerland vs India 2025
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 409.3% higher than in India. Whereas, rent prices are 791.7% 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 | CHF 900-1,500 | Rs. 5,000-15,000 |
Food | CHF 500-900 | Rs. 500-2000 |
Transportation | CHF 80-150 | Rs. 1,000-3,000 |
Utilities | CHF 150-250 | Rs. 8,000 |
Tips for Saving Money in Switzerland 2025
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.
Conclusion: The Overall Cost of Living in Switzerland 2025
Switzerland offers a great experience for Indian students, but its high cost of living requires careful budgeting. Understanding expenses and exploring scholarships or loan options can help you manage finances while enjoying your time there. With a high standard of living, world-class education, and breathtaking landscapes, Switzerland is one of the top countries for Indian students to study abroad 2025. By checking the cost of living in Switzerland in detail and budgeting accordingly through the right approach, studying in Switzerland can be both an enriching and financially sustainable experience.
If you are interested in knowing about other countries living expenses in addition to cost of living in Swiss, 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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May 27, 2025
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