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Showing posts with label Zurich. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zurich. Show all posts
Monday, May 25, 2015
Monday, September 17, 2012
Zurich City - Just How Expensive Is It?
Costs in Zurich, like the rest of the
nation are particularly high for groceries, restaurant meals out, hotels and
transport, for example a cappuccino costs around 4.95 CHF / 5.34 USD, while a
litre of petrol / gasoline around 1.95 CHF / 2.10 USD. It is also compulsory for expats to pay taxes, insurances
and licenses, making life in this idyllic country extremely expensive, but
comparatively it is also known for its high salaries, high buying power and
high quality of life.
As in most of the cities we have covered to
date, Zurich is no different when it comes to high costs, high competition and
limited availability of accommodation. The Household Accommodation Basket has a
weighting of 30%, this means that an expatriate who earns, for example 10,000
would typically spend 3,000 (30% of 10,000) on housing. Utilities are also paid
out of an expats salary and can cost up to 10% of the cost of the rental
amount.
Rental prices for a secure upmarket
apartment in the city centre range from 2.59 CHF / 2.79 USD for one bedroom,
while a 3 bedroom family apartment can cost up to 4,700 CHF / 5,069 USD per
month. Suburban accommodation is
much cheaper and ranges from 1,500 CHF / 1,618 USD for one bedroom, while a 3
bedroom family apartment can cost up to 2,700 CHF / 2,912 USD per month.
Interestingly the taxes you pay are
correlated directly to where you live, if you live in a prosperous area you
will pay a lower tax rate, the prosperity is what drives the rate down in that
the higher the concentration of companies and wealthy people in a location the
lower the rate, thereby benefiting those individuals who are not as well-off.
The resulting impact is that as much as accommodation is expensive in cities,
the tax rate is less in comparison to outlying areas.
Grocery costs in Zurich are extremely high,
making this city one of the most expensive in the world.
Food prices range from:
1kg of apples –
4.89 CHF / 5.27 USD,
1kg medium sized potatoes – 2.91 CHF / 3.14
USD,
1 dozen eggs - 7.06 CHF / 7.61 USD,
1 500g white bread - 3.05 CHF / 3.29 USD,
1 litre full cream milk – 1.57 CHF / 1.69
USD
1kg boneless, skinless chicken breast – 31.41
CHF / 33.88 USD,
1.5 litre bottle of water – 1.14 CHF / 1.23
USD.
A good idea is to shop around and not in
the City Centre as this is the most expensive place for goods, go to the
Shopping Malls around Zurich for the best prices. At the Supermarkets buy
unpackaged goods, which are much cheaper and avoid pre-sliced, pre-washed and
pre-packaged fruits and vegetables. You can drink the tap water as it is pure
and safe, so leave the bottled water in the shops. Meat is very expensive, so
either buy conservatively or buy the meat that is in the discounted areas. This
meat is close to the expiry date but if frozen at home it can last longer.
Discounts are also available for toiletries and the Supermarket branded
products are usually cheaper.
Education for expats is average, however
expatriate international school costs can range from 30,000 USD for primary
schooling to 35,000 USD for Secondary.
The public schools in Switzerland are of a
very high standard and each canton has its own head of education, there is also
a Swiss Federation for Private Schooling. So look around before you head
straight into the expensive international schools.
A three course meal out for two in a mid
range restaurant will also cost up to 97 CHF/ 105 USD, while a burger meal similar to
McDonalds will set you back almost 13.17 CHF / 14.20 USD and a Coke / Pepsi 4.56 CHF / 4.92 USD. The price of a monthly membership to a Fitness
Club will cost 97.37 CHF / 105 USD per month.
Transportation costs are high for example a one way ticket
on local public transport 4.28 CHF / 4.62 USD. The normal taxi tariff starts at 7.40 CHF / 7.98 USD, while a one hour standard taxi tariff is 56.82 CHF / 61.28
USD. One litre of petrol / gasoline will set you back by 1.95 CHF / 2.10
USD. Many people opt to travel via
bicycle to and from work as it is so much cheaper, a yearly bike licence will
cost up to 10 CHF / 10.78 USD, it is obligatory and covers you for any personal
liability. If you do commute, look
out for discounts and special fares.
Exchange rates as at 16 September 2012 : 1
CHF = 1.07926 USD.
Personalized cost of living indexes for
Zurich in Switzerland are based on the basket groups and comparison location(s)
selected in the Calculators.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Zurich in Switzerland is ranked as minimal hardship with a hardship index of 10%.
Personalized hardship index premiums for Zurich in Switzerland are based on the comparison location(s) selected in the Calculators.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Zurich in Switzerland is ranked as minimal hardship with a hardship index of 10%.
Personalized hardship index premiums for Zurich in Switzerland are based on the comparison location(s) selected in the Calculators.
Denise is an
Expat and Marketing Manager at http://www.xpatulator.com/ a website that provides cost of living
index information and calculates what you need to earn in a different location
to compensate for cost of living, hardship, and exchange rate differences. The
complete cost of living rank for all 13 baskets is available here.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Switzerland, Zurich Cost of Living January 2010
LOCATION: Switzerland is in Central Europe, east of France, and north of Italy.
CAPITAL CITY: Berne
LARGEST CITY: Zürich
CURRENCY: Swiss Franc (CHF)
ECONOMY: Switzerland is a wealthy industrialized country with many highly skilled workers. Banking, tourism, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals are important industries in Switzerland. The manufacture of precision instruments for engineering is important, as is watch-making, and the biological sciences industries. Zürich is the world's primary centre for offshore banking, mainly due to Swiss bank secrecy.
Zurich has an overall cost of living index which equates it with high cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Zurich is currently ranked 4 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 276 international locations. The cost of living overview for each of the 13 Basket Groups is as follows:
Alcohol & Tobacco costs for alcoholic beverages such as alcohol at bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, and wine as well as tobacco products such as cigarettes is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 182 out of 276.
Clothing costs for clothing and footwear products such as business suits, casual clothing, childrens clothing and footwear, coats and hats, evening wear, shoe repairs, and underwear is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 29 out of 276.
Communication costs for various communication costs such as home telephone rental and call charges, internet connection and service provider fees, mobile / cellular phone contract and calls is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 105 out of 276.
Education costs such as creche / pre-school fees, high school / college fees, primary school fees, and tertiary study fees is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 171 out of 276.
Furniture & Appliance costs for furniture, household equipment and household appliances such as dvd player, fridge freezer, iron, kettle, toaster, microwave, light bulbs, television, vacuum cleaner, and washing machine is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 63 out of 276.
Grocery costs for food, non-alcoholic beverages and cleaning material items such as baby consumables, baked goods, baking, canned foods, cheese, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fruit juices, meat, oil & vinegars, pet food, pre-prepared meals, sauces, seafood, snacks, soft drinks, spices & herbs is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 14 out of 276.
Healthcare costs for general healthcare, medical and medical insurance such as general practitioner consultation rates, hospital private ward daily rate, non-prescription medicine, and private medical insurance / medical aid contributions is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 12 out of 276.
Household costs for housing, water, electricity, household gas, household fuels, local rates and residential taxes such as house / flat mortgage, house / flat rental, household electricity consumption, household gas / fuel consumption, household water consumption, and local property rates / taxes / levies is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 19 out of 276.
Miscellaneous costs related to stationary, linen and general goods and services such as domestic help, dry cleaning, linen, office supplies, newspapers and magazines, and postage stamps is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 18 out of 276.
Personal Care costs for personal care products and services such as cosmetics, hair care, moisturizer / sun block, nappies, pain relief tablets, toilet paper, toothpaste, and soap / shampoo / conditioner is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 51 out of 276.
Recreation and Culture costs such as books, camera film, cinema ticket, DVD and CDs, sports goods, and theatre tickets is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 10 out of 276.
Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs such as business dinner, dinner at a restaurant (non fast food), hotel rates, take away drinks and snacks (fast food) is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 24 out of 276.
Transport costs for public transport, vehicle costs, vehicle fuel, vehicle insurance and vehicle maintenance such as hire purchase / lease of vehicle, petrol / diesel, public transport service maintenance, tires, vehicle Insurance, and vehicle purchase is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 4 out of 276.
Your exact customized cost of living index for Zurich is based on which of the above basket groups as well as the comparison location you select in the Calculators.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Zurich is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10%.
Your exact customized hardship index premium for Zurich is based on the comparison location that you select in the Calculators.
CAPITAL CITY: Berne
LARGEST CITY: Zürich
CURRENCY: Swiss Franc (CHF)
ECONOMY: Switzerland is a wealthy industrialized country with many highly skilled workers. Banking, tourism, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals are important industries in Switzerland. The manufacture of precision instruments for engineering is important, as is watch-making, and the biological sciences industries. Zürich is the world's primary centre for offshore banking, mainly due to Swiss bank secrecy.
Zurich has an overall cost of living index which equates it with high cost of living locations. The overall cost of living index is comprised of the prices for defined quantities of the same goods and services across all 13 Basket Groups. Zurich is currently ranked 4 overall, most expensive place in the world for expatriates to live, out of 276 international locations. The cost of living overview for each of the 13 Basket Groups is as follows:
Alcohol & Tobacco costs for alcoholic beverages such as alcohol at bar, beer, locally produced spirit, whiskey, and wine as well as tobacco products such as cigarettes is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 182 out of 276.
Clothing costs for clothing and footwear products such as business suits, casual clothing, childrens clothing and footwear, coats and hats, evening wear, shoe repairs, and underwear is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 29 out of 276.
Communication costs for various communication costs such as home telephone rental and call charges, internet connection and service provider fees, mobile / cellular phone contract and calls is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 105 out of 276.
Education costs such as creche / pre-school fees, high school / college fees, primary school fees, and tertiary study fees is equally expensive on average compared to other cities with a rank of 171 out of 276.
Furniture & Appliance costs for furniture, household equipment and household appliances such as dvd player, fridge freezer, iron, kettle, toaster, microwave, light bulbs, television, vacuum cleaner, and washing machine is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 63 out of 276.
Grocery costs for food, non-alcoholic beverages and cleaning material items such as baby consumables, baked goods, baking, canned foods, cheese, cleaning products, dairy, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fruit juices, meat, oil & vinegars, pet food, pre-prepared meals, sauces, seafood, snacks, soft drinks, spices & herbs is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 14 out of 276.
Healthcare costs for general healthcare, medical and medical insurance such as general practitioner consultation rates, hospital private ward daily rate, non-prescription medicine, and private medical insurance / medical aid contributions is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 12 out of 276.
Household costs for housing, water, electricity, household gas, household fuels, local rates and residential taxes such as house / flat mortgage, house / flat rental, household electricity consumption, household gas / fuel consumption, household water consumption, and local property rates / taxes / levies is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 19 out of 276.
Miscellaneous costs related to stationary, linen and general goods and services such as domestic help, dry cleaning, linen, office supplies, newspapers and magazines, and postage stamps is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 18 out of 276.
Personal Care costs for personal care products and services such as cosmetics, hair care, moisturizer / sun block, nappies, pain relief tablets, toilet paper, toothpaste, and soap / shampoo / conditioner is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 51 out of 276.
Recreation and Culture costs such as books, camera film, cinema ticket, DVD and CDs, sports goods, and theatre tickets is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 10 out of 276.
Restaurants, Meals Out and Hotel costs such as business dinner, dinner at a restaurant (non fast food), hotel rates, take away drinks and snacks (fast food) is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 24 out of 276.
Transport costs for public transport, vehicle costs, vehicle fuel, vehicle insurance and vehicle maintenance such as hire purchase / lease of vehicle, petrol / diesel, public transport service maintenance, tires, vehicle Insurance, and vehicle purchase is relatively more expensive compared to other cities with a rank of 4 out of 276.
Your exact customized cost of living index for Zurich is based on which of the above basket groups as well as the comparison location you select in the Calculators.
In terms of the hardship people are likely to experience, assessed in global terms, Zurich is ranked as a minimal hardship location with a hardship index of 10%.
Your exact customized hardship index premium for Zurich is based on the comparison location that you select in the Calculators.
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