Beyond the Stipend

Living costs in Zurich, Switzerland

City-specific institutional guidance

🇨🇭 Plan your fellowship stay in CHF and compare it in your preferred currency.

Zurich city view
Photo: Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de · Original image ↗ · CC BY-SA 3.0 de ↗

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Monthly cost evidence

Single-person ETH staff guidance. Room range, not an entire apartment. Remaining entries are point estimates, not measured ranges. Source period: Undated live guidance. Checked 2026-10-12.

CategoryMonthly figure (CHF)Evidence
HousingCHF 700.00 – CHF 1,400.00Shared roomSource ↗Undated live guidance · checked 2026-10-12
Food & daily needsCHF 430.00 · point estimateFood 400 + hygiene 30Source ↗Undated live guidance · checked 2026-10-12
TransportCHF 120.00 · point estimatePublished exampleSource ↗Undated live guidance · checked 2026-10-12
Utilities & phoneCHF 170.00 · point estimateTelephone/internet 120 + energy 50Source ↗Undated live guidance · checked 2026-10-12
Personal & leisureCHF 460.00 · point estimatePersonal 250 + liability 30 + provisions 180Source ↗Undated live guidance · checked 2026-10-12
Health insuranceCHF 350.00 · point estimateBudget example only; obtain personal premiumSource ↗Undated live guidance · checked 2026-10-12

Point estimates are single published allowances, not ranges. Minimums have no researched upper bound. National and regional benchmarks do not establish local prices. Partial categories need additional quotes.

Before accepting a fellowship in Zurich

One adult renting a room or sharing a home. Short-term furnished accommodation may cost more. University housing and student discounts depend on eligibility; confirm with your fellowship host.

Ask your host about accommodation eligibility, health coverage and visa requirements. Confirm whether your stipend is gross or net, when the first payment arrives, and which costs are paid directly. Budget separately for deposits, travel and one-off arrival costs.

Check local services and requirements

Official links and search starting points are labelled separately. Resource links do not substantiate a cost unless cited in the evidence table.

Housing

Food & daily needs

Transport

Utilities & phone

Personal & leisure

Health insurance

Build your own budget

The planner supports six expense categories, stipend and funding gaps, arrival cash, saved budgets and city comparisons. Missing amounts must be entered before calculating a complete personal budget.

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