Cost of Living in Zurich for Students

Zurich is one of the most expensive cities in the world, with living costs estimated to be around 2.77 times the global average.

Cost of Living in Zurich for Students at a Glance

Here is an overview of the cost of living in Zurich in Indian rupees & Swiss francs :

Expense	Estimated Cost (CHF/INR)
Accommodation (1-bedroom apartment)	CHF 1,945.62–2,466.84 (INR 2.23–2.82 lakh) per month
Food and groceries	CHF 300–600 (INR 34K–69K) per month
Transportation	CHF 80–130 (INR 9.2K–14.9K) per month for a public transport pass
Healthcare and insurance	CHF 230–355 (INR 26.3K–40.6K) per month for the listed student age groups
Education	CHF 1,800–4,400 (INR 2.06–5.04 lakh) per year at selected public universities
Utilities and internet	CHF 160–400 (INR 18.3K–45.8K) per month for basic utilities, plus internet and mobile costs
Miscellaneous expenses	CHF 18–300 (INR 2.1K–34.3K), depending on the activity or purchase

Your actual expenses will depend on where you live, your university and how you manage your daily spending. The sections below break down these costs to help you estimate your budget before moving to Zurich.

Cost of Living in Zurich by Profile

The cost of living in Zurich for Inidan students depends majorly on whether you live alone or with your family. 

Numbeo estimates that a single person spends CHF 1,553.60 (INR 1.78 lakh) per month, excluding rent. For a family of four, the monthly cost is CHF 5,754.70 (INR 6.59 lakh), before rent.

Here is how much you may need each month depending on profile, including rent:

Profile	Monthly Expenses, exc. Rent (CHF/INR)	Monthly Rent (CHF/INR)
Single person	CHF 1,553.60 (INR 1.78 lakh)	CHF 1,945.62–2,466.84 (INR 2.23–2.82 lakh)
Family of four	CHF 5,754.70 (INR 6.59 lakh)	CHF 3,464.71–4,900 (INR 3.97–5.61 lakh)

Estimated Monthly Total

Profile	Estimated Monthly Total, inc. Rent (CHF/INR)
Single person	CHF 3,499.22–4,020.44 (INR 4.01–4.60 lakh)
Family of four	CHF 9,219.41–10,654.70 (INR 10.55–12.20 lakh)

Source: Numbeo – Cost of Living in Zurich

Cost of Living in Zurich vs Other Swiss Cities

If you’re deciding to study in Zurich or another Swiss city, the table below compares the monthly cost of living for one person, excluding rent. 

You can also take a look at the Numbeo’s cost-of-living index to compare everyday expenses across these cities easily. 

Swiss City	Cost of Living Index	Estimated Monthly Cost for One Person. Exc. Rent (CHF/INR)
Zug	122.31	CHF 1,578.70 (INR 1.81 lakh)
Zurich	119.63	CHF 1,553.60 (INR 1.78 lakh)
Basel	106.69	CHF 1,404.20 (INR 1.61 lakh)
Geneva	105.59	CHF 1,374.60 (INR 1.57 lakh)
Lucerne	104.76	CHF 1,342.90 (INR 1.54 lakh)
Lugano	103.16	CHF 1,381.00 (INR 1.58 lakh)

Zurich may be more expensive than some other Swiss cities, but your choice of city should also depend on where your university is and how much you'll be paying for accommodation.

If you want to keep your monthly expenses under budget, you should compare your university fees, rent and transport costs in cities like Lucerne, Geneva and Basel with those in Zurich before making a decision.

Check out: Top Universities in Switzerland

Student Accommodation Costs in Zurich

Housing is a major expense for anyone planning to study in Switzerland. Your budget will look different depending on whether you rent a small apartment, share a flat or plan to buy a property.

 The costs below give you an idea of what to expect: 

Monthly Rent in Zurich

Accommodation Type	Approx. Monthly Rent (CHF/INR)
1-bedroom apartment in the city centre	CHF 2,466.84 (INR 2.82 lakh)
1-bedroom apartment outside the city centre	CHF 1,945.62 (INR 2.23 lakh)
3-bedroom apartment in the city centre	CHF 4,900 (INR 5.61 lakh)
3-bedroom apartment outside the city centre	CHF 3,464.71 (INR 3.97 lakh)

Apartment Purchase Prices in Zurich

Property Location	Average Price per Square Metre (CHF/INR)
In the city centre	CHF 22,808.33 (INR 26.10 lakh)
Outside the city centre	CHF 13,366.67 (INR 15.30 lakh)

Source: Numbeo – Cost of Living in Zurich

Points to note: 

One-bedroom apartment in the outside the city centre costs approximately CHF 521 (INR 59,700) less per month than one in the central part. 

Purchasing an apartment is a significantly larger financial commitment. Also, the prices stated above are per square meter, so it is necessary to calculate the cost based on the size of the apartment and its location.

Check out: MS in Switzerland for Indian Students

Monthly Food and Grocery Expenses in Zurich

The food budget in Zurich primarily depends on an individual’s dietary preferences and the frequency of eating at home. 

Generally speaking, you may spend around CHF 300 to 600 (INR 34K to 69K) depending on the selected diet and eating patterns. However, frequent eating out may result in higher expenses.

Now, let us look at the costs of both eating out and buying common grocery items in Zurich: 

Eating Out in Zurich

Food Item	Approx. Cost (CHF/INR)
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant	CHF 20–50 (INR 2,300–5,700)
Meal for two at a mid-range restaurant	CHF 100–200 (INR 11,450–22,900)
Fast-food combo meal	CHF 15–20 (INR 1,700–2,300)
Cappuccino	CHF 5–7 (INR 570–800)

 

Groceries Price in Zurich

Grocery Item	Approx. Cost (CHF/INR)
Milk (1 litre)	CHF 1.50–2 (INR 170–230)
White bread (500 g)	CHF 2.80–4.50 (INR 320–515)
Rice (1 kg)	CHF 2–4.50 (INR 230–515)
Eggs (12 large)	CHF 4.80–10 (INR 550–1,145)
Chicken fillets (1 kg)	CHF 15–36 (INR 1,720–4,125)
Bananas (1 kg)	CHF 1.20–4 (INR 140–460)
Potatoes (1 kg)	CHF 1–3.50 (INR 115–400)
Tomatoes (1 kg)	CHF 2–5.90 (INR 230–675)

Source: Numbeo – Cost of Living in Zurich

Eating out at an inexpensive restaurant costs about 20–50 CHF (2,300–5,700 INR) a meal. You should be able to save money on eating out by cooking at home and saving the cost of restaurant meals you would have anyway.

For instance, you could save 160–400 CHF (18.3K–45.8K INR) per month by avoiding 2 restaurant meals per week, depending on what meals you would have eaten.

Read More on Switzerland:
Cost of Living in Switzerland	Cost of Studying in Switzerland

 

Monthly Transportation Costs in Zurich

If you plan to study in Zurich, public transport can make it easier to travel between your accommodation and university.

A single local transport ticket costs around CHF 3.60–5 (INR 412–572), while a monthly pass ranges from CHF 80–130 (INR 9.2K–14.9K). Your monthly spending thus will depend on how often you travel and which transport option suits your routine.

Now, here are some common of the transport costs to help you plan your budget: 

Public Transport Costs

Transport Option	Approx. Cost (CHF/INR)
One-way local transport ticket	CHF 3.60–5 (INR 412–572)
Monthly public transport pass	CHF 80–130 (INR 9.2K–14.9K)

Taxi and Fuel Costs

Transport Option	Approx. Cost (CHF/INR)
Taxi starting fare	CHF 6.75–10 (INR 772–1.1K)
Taxi per kilometre	CHF 3.80–4 (INR 435–458)
Petrol (1 litre)	CHF 1.71–2.14 (INR 196–245)

Source: Numbeo – Cost of Living in Zurich

If you travel by public transport regularly, a monthly pass may be more convenient than buying single tickets. Based on Numbeo’s prices, 20 one-way journeys would cost around CHF 72–100 (INR 8.2K–11.4K), so compare this with the monthly pass range before choosing. 

Your actual savings will depend on the pass you qualify for and how often you travel.

Utilities and Internet Costs in Zurich

Apart from rent, you will also need to pay for electricity, heating, water, phone services and internet, depending on your accommodation. 

For an 85 m² apartment, basic utilities cost around CHF 160–400 (INR 18.3K–45.8K) per month. 

Here is a breakdown of these expenses in Zurich: 

Monthly Utility Expenses

Utility	Approx. Monthly Cost (CHF/INR)
Electricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage for an 85 m² apartment	CHF 160–400 (INR 18.3K–45.8K)
Mobile plan with calls and 10 GB+ data	CHF 19–50 (INR 2.2K–5.7K)
Broadband internet with unlimited data	CHF 35–65 (INR 4K–7.4K)

Source: Numbeo – Cost of Living in Zurich

If you are sharing an apartment, you may be able to split the cost of the utilities with your flatmates, instead of covering the entire amount on your own. 

Before you move in, find out which bills are included in the rent you pay and which are not, this will give you a better idea of your monthly expenses.

Healthcare and Insurance Costs in Zurich

Health insurance is another expense to consider when moving to Zurich for higher studies. Students cannot simply assume that their existing insurance will be enough. 

Depending on where you are from and the cover you have, you may need to take out a Swiss policy or apply for an exemption.

Monthly Health Insurance Costs

Student Age	Monthly Premium (CHF/INR)
Under 18 years	CHF 96–121 (INR 11K–13.8K)
19–25 years	CHF 230–255 (INR 26.3K–29.2K)
Over 26 years	CHF 330–355 (INR 37.8K–40.6K)

Source: ETH Zurich – Health Insurance for Students from Non-EU/EFTA Countries

You can compare available Swiss plans through the official Priminfo premium comparison tool before deciding which option suits you.

Education Costs for Indian Students in Zurich

How much you pay as your tuition fees largely depends on the type of the university you study in and the level your studies. 

For Indian students, annual tuition at public universities can range from around CHF 1,800 to CHF 4,400 (INR 2.06–5.04 lakh), based on the current fee structures at universities like University of Zurich and ETH Zurich.

Here are the estimated tuition costs for your reference: 

University Category	Estimated Annual Tuition Fees (CHF/INR)
Public universities with lower tuition fees	CHF 1,800–2,500 (INR 2.06–2.86 lakh)
Public universities with higher international student fees	CHF 2,500–4,400 (INR 2.86–5.04 lakh)

These are approximate figures based on a selection of public university fee structures. 

Other Miscellaneous Expenses in Zurich

When budgeting for your student expenses in Zurich, do not forget to leave some money for fun. 

You may want to join a local gym, go to a movie with a friend or buy new clothes during your stay.

The prices below will help you estimate these costs in advance:

Expense	Estimated Cost (CHF/INR)
Monthly fitness club membership	CHF 49–130 (INR 5.6K–14.9K)
Tennis court rental (1 hour, weekend)	CHF 30–65 (INR 3.4K–7.4K)
Cinema ticket	CHF 18–30 (INR 2.1K–3.4K)
Jeans (Levi’s 501 or similar)	CHF 85–150 (INR 9.7K–17.2K)
Summer dress from a chain store	CHF 35–90 (INR 4K–10.3K)
Nike running shoes	CHF 100–190 (INR 11.4K–21.7K)
Men’s leather business shoes	CHF 110–300 (INR 12.6K–34.3K)

Source: Numbeo – Cost of Living in Zurich

If you decide to go to the gym regularly, then a gym membership can cost you extra CHF 49–130 (INR 5.6K–14.9K) per month. However, clothes and shoes are things that you buy less frequently, so it is a good idea to leave some money aside for them. 

Budgeting Tips For Students In Zurich

Zurich can be expensive for you as a student, considering the rent, health insurance plus other expenses. A little planning ahead can go a long way in helping you save money. 

Some of the tips that can help you cut down your costs and save money in Zurich include:

• Looking for roommates and flats: You can look for a roommate and share rent with them or you can think about getting a room in a shared apartment. You can save more money on rent than if you were to stay in a flat.
• Buying a transport pass: You will incur a lot of transport costs if you are new in town and do not know where to stay. Consider looking for transport options and passes that can help you save money on local transport.
• Cooking at home: Cooking and dining out can be costly depending on the number of people you are feeding. To reduce these costs, it is advisable to buy food stuffs and cook at home.
• Looking for cheaper health insurance: You may consider looking for alternative health insurance deals if you have a fair idea on how Zurich’s health insurance works. You may also check if you can get an exemption on health insurance since it might help you save a lot of money on your monthly budget.
• Claiming student discounts: As a student, you may get discounts on most goods and services in Zurich, so it is advisable to look out for those discounts and claim them wherever possible.

Conclusion

While studying in Zurich will be an enriching experience if you can find the right course that fits your needs within your budget, the fees should also be taken into account. The costs of renting a place, eating out and health insurance are also considerable alongside fees, transportation and other expenses.

Before applying, take a look at your desired programme's fees, the places you can afford to rent near your campus and the amount of money you need to be able to cover on a monthly basis. This way, you will be able to correctly balance your expenses for your stay in Zurich and the study course you are enrolling in.

If you need help planning your study abroad journey, book a free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad’s study abroad experts to discuss your options.