Cost of living comparison

 New York City (NY), United States
compared to
 Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich vs. New York City Cost of Living Summary

Zurich is 14.8% more expensive than New York City.

Restaurants
pay 56.1% more in Zurich
Groceries
pay 1.0% more in Zurich
Transportation
pay 46.2% more in Zurich
Housing
pay 12.2% less in Zurich
Childcare
pay 18.1% less in Zurich
Entertainment and Sports
pay 13.0% less in Zurich
Clothing
pay 43.6% more in Zurich

The cost of restaurants, transportation, clothing, and groceries in Zurich are more expensive than in New York City. Expenses including childcare, entertainment and sports, and housing are lower in Zurich.

Zurich vs. New York City Cost Breakdown

If you lived in Zurich instead of New York City, you would:

pay 56.1% more for restaurants

 
New York City
Zurich
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant $30.00
 
$28.51
CHF25.11
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
$12.00
 
$18.25
CHF16.07
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) $3.22
 
$5.42
CHF4.78

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pay 1.0% more for groceries

 
New York City
Zurich
Bread
1 loaf
$4.82
 
$3.85
CHF3.39
Local cheese (8 oz) $8.52
 
$12.99
CHF11.44
Milk (1 gallon) $5.80
 
$7.50
CHF6.61

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pay 46.2% more for transportation

 
New York City
Zurich
Gasoline (1 gallon) $3.80
 
$8.08
CHF7.12
Monthly public transit pass $132.50
 
$99.22
CHF87.39
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) $35,000.00
 
$37,408.50
CHF32,948.25

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pay 12.2% less for housing

 
New York City
Zurich
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
$68.20
 
$53.90
CHF47.48
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area $4,097.13
 
$2,534.58
CHF2,232.38
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center $2,883.17
 
$1,995.21
CHF1,757.32

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pay 18.1% less for childcare

 
New York City
Zurich
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly $3,253.56
 
$3,186.83
CHF2,806.86
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters $59,000.00
 
$38,929.17
CHF34,287.61

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pay 13.0% less for entertainment and sports

 
New York City
Zurich
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) $9.00
 
$9.12
CHF8.04
Cappuccino in mid-range area $5.95
 
$6.13
CHF5.40
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
$17.00
 
$10.26
CHF9.04

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pay 43.6% more for clothing

 
New York City
Zurich
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
$68.92
 
$124.04
CHF109.25
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
$45.62
 
$67.24
CHF59.22
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
$107.85
 
$131.11
CHF115.48

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The statistics used to build this comparison are calculated using data from users just like you. We average the price of thousands of data points entered by users across the world. Learn more about our data sources. Page last updated: March 2025
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