Living costs in Zurich, Switzerland
City-specific institutional guidance
🇨🇭 Plan your fellowship stay in CHF and compare it in your preferred currency.

Explore Zurich fellowships in The Fellowship Directory ↗
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.
| Category | Monthly figure (CHF) | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | CHF 700.00 – CHF 1,400.00Shared room | Source ↗Undated live guidance · checked 2026-10-12 |
| Food & daily needs | CHF 430.00 · point estimateFood 400 + hygiene 30 | Source ↗Undated live guidance · checked 2026-10-12 |
| Transport | CHF 120.00 · point estimatePublished example | Source ↗Undated live guidance · checked 2026-10-12 |
| Utilities & phone | CHF 170.00 · point estimateTelephone/internet 120 + energy 50 | Source ↗Undated live guidance · checked 2026-10-12 |
| Personal & leisure | CHF 460.00 · point estimatePersonal 250 + liability 30 + provisions 180 | Source ↗Undated live guidance · checked 2026-10-12 |
| Health insurance | CHF 350.00 · point estimateBudget example only; obtain personal premium | Source ↗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
- University / researcher housing guidance ↗Host guidance · eligibility varies
- Flatshare search ↗Longer stays · choose your city on the provider
- Booking.com · Zurich ↗Short stays · compare dates and total price
Food & daily needs
- Find supermarkets & grocery prices ↗Web search · results not vetted
Transport
- ZVV · tickets & travelcards ↗Official website · check eligibility and current prices
- Find local operators & monthly passes ↗Web search · results not vetted
Utilities & phone
- Compare mobile & internet plans ↗Web search · results not vetted
- Check electricity & water costs ↗Web search · results not vetted
Personal & leisure
- Check activities & membership prices ↗Web search · results not vetted
Health insurance
- Swiss health insurance · official guidance ↗Official website · check eligibility and current prices
- Priminfo · official premium calculator ↗Government calculator · select postcode and personal details
- Find visiting-fellow insurance guidance ↗Web search · results not vetted
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.
Plan your Zurich stay in any supported currency →