🇨🇭Cost of Living in Bern
Switzerland · Population: 135,000 · Cost Index: 92/100
Cost of Living in Bern
Switzerland · Europe
Bern is the de facto capital of Switzerland, with a beautifully preserved medieval old town that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city offers a quieter, more laid-back atmosphere than Zurich or Geneva while maintaining Swiss standards of quality and efficiency.
135,000
Population
92
Cost Index
82
Safety Index
86
Quality of Life
Average Monthly Cost: $4,200 (single person, excluding rent)
Cost Breakdown
Housing
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$1,800.001-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$1,300.003-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$3,200.003-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$2,400.00Food & Groceries
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant(per meal)
$25.00Meal for 2 at Mid-Range Restaurant(per meal)
$110.00McMeal at McDonald's(per meal)
$14.00Milk (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.75Bread (500g loaf)(per loaf)
$2.80Rice (1 kg)(per kg)
$3.00Eggs (12)(per dozen)
$5.20Chicken Breast (1 kg)(per kg)
$17.00Apples (1 kg)(per kg)
$3.80Banana (1 kg)(per kg)
$2.40Transportation
Monthly Public Transit Pass(per month)
$88.00One-Way Ticket (Local Transport)(per trip)
$3.20Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)(base fare)
$6.00Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)(per km)
$3.30Gasoline (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.85Utilities
Basic Utilities (85m² Apartment)(per month)
$210.00Mobile Phone Plan(per month)
$42.00Internet (60 Mbps+)(per month)
$48.00Healthcare
Doctor Visit(per visit)
$110.00Dentist Visit(per visit)
$170.00Prescription Medicine (avg)(per prescription)
$22.00Entertainment
Fitness Club Monthly(per month)
$85.00Cinema Ticket(per ticket)
$19.00Cappuccino(per cup)
$5.20Beer (0.5l) at Restaurant(per glass)
$7.50Clothing
Pair of Jeans (Levi's)(per pair)
$105.00Summer Dress (Chain Store)(per item)
$48.00Running Shoes (Nike, Adidas)(per pair)
$115.00Compare Bern with another city
See how Bern stacks up against any other city in our database.
Quick Facts
- Currency
- CHF
- Language
- German
- Cost Index
- 92/100
- Safety Index
- 82/100
- Quality of Life
- 86/100
Data last updated: 2026-01-15. Prices are approximate and shown in USD.