What it really costs to live for a month in Zurich, one of the most expensive cities in the world by Roger Timbrook on May 30, 2017, 12:23 PM Advertisement
 Ahh, Zurich: the perfect combination of ultra-modern city living and small town charm. This fashionable city is a hotspot for expats, ranked second in the world when it comes to quality of living. Benefitting from Switzerland's highly efficient transportation system, many world-class establishments, unparalleled healthcare, and exceptionally low crime rates make Zurich a very attractive city to live in. Couple that with a backdrop of mountains and lakes at a central location in Europe, and Zurich sounds like a jackpot. It is also the most expensive city in the world. Transportation, food, and accommodation, none of which is cheap, will be the bulk of your expenses. However, if you're moving to Zurich as an expat, you will have to shell out even more for taxes, license fees, and mandatory insurance premiums. The good news is that all these potential stress-inducing expenses can be mitigated by high salary rates and overall quality of life in the city. It will be almost necessary to have an idea of what your living expenses look like so you can negotiate an appropriate salary, plan your relocation, and fully enjoy this beautiful city. Let's break down the cost of living in Zurich: SEE ALSO: The 15 US cities where it's easiest to save money Food  Eating out in Zurich is expensive. You will find restaurants and cafés in every district, and chances are they serve good quality food. However, a meal at a mid-range restaurant can cost anywhere from $20 to $40, and fast food isn’t all that cheap either. The best way to save money on food is to cook it yourself. The major supermarkets in Zurich are COOP, Migros, and Spar. Just keep in mind that meat is expensive. If you can manage to stick to vegetables and some basic pantry items, a week’s worth of meals can cost around $75 to $100. If you can’t go without meat your bill will skyrocket. For example, a pound of meat can cost between $12 to $14, and higher if you crave a juicy beef filet. Try going for deli meats and cold cuts to satisfy your protein lust. Understandably, meal prepping for a full week isn’t always the most convenient option, especially when you have a city to see. Try scoping out some local restaurants as most of them offer lunch specials at $10 to $20. Most Swiss eat their biggest meal at lunch. The most bang for the buck would be Asian cuisine like Chinese and Indian, as well as Middle Eastern food, which all tend to be served in bigger portions at reasonable prices.
Drink  It goes without saying that ordering drinks with your meals will jack up your expenses, but going for a night out does that at a whole other level. Most beers in local bars and pubs will cost around $8, and a bottle of wine will be $10 to $25 (at least). Of course, nobody sits alone at a bar and just orders one drink, right? So a full night of moderate drinking can easily set you back $50 to $75 if you’re not careful. And even more if it’s a great night out! Clubbing is another experience altogether, which is very tempting with Zurich’s thriving techno scene. Most of the city’s more popular clubs have a door charge up to $100, and cocktails in these clubs will cost around $20 per glass.
Accommodation  If you’re visiting Zurich alone, your best bet would be Couchsurfing. If you’ve been part of this community for a while with good reviews and testimonials, it won’t be too difficult to find someone to stay with for free. However, if you’re not comfortable with this kind of living arrangement, Airbnb is another good option. Private rooms can go as low as $20 per night, but you’ll have to deal with living far from the city center or in university districts. If you’re traveling with someone else, a room at a more convenient location will cost around $60 to $80 a night to be shared between two people. Dorms in hostels can also be an option, but this will still cost you around $50 to $80 per night. Living in the center Zurich is a different matter altogether. Apartment rentals are extremely expensive, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything below $1,000 per month. Even then, these properties are found way outside the city and are most often unfurnished studios. Another hurdle would be the fickleness of landlords and agencies when it comes to tenants. With more and more students and young professionals moving to Zurich, landlords tend to review every applicant before choosing the one with the best credentials. Sometimes there are lines to the end of the block. And all that trouble for a small space at a high cost. Crazy, huh! On average, an apartment at a relatively convenient location will cost around $2,000 to $3,000 per month. Long-term living arrangements in Zurich are best done by living in a Wohngemeinschaft, or WG (pronounced as “vay-gay”), otherwise known as “Shared Living”. You get to enjoy larger spaces with lower rental costs, and, if there is already an existing tenant, you won’t have to worry about furnishing the place. There is also the benefit of less paperwork, and you get to meet new people who can help you get to know Zurich. The most popular website to look for a WG is WG Zimmer. You have the option of either browsing through existing ads, or posting your own ad to receive alerts about rooms that match your criteria. Another site you can look through is Ron Orp English or Ron Orp German.. Students and young professionals tend to use these sites more, which means possibly cheaper rental rates at relatively good locations. A good classified ads site is tutti.ch, although it is not available in English. If you are successful with your WG hunting, you will be spending $700 to $1,000 per month for rent. Your room will still most likely be unfurnished, but you’ll be benefitting from a livable communal space, a convenient location, and (hopefully) good social interaction.
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