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Copenhagen vs Zurich

Copenhagen runs about 44% cheaper than Zurich for this household, a difference of 1,432 USD a month.

Copenhagen seen from SAS-airplane
Copenhagen
$3,261/month · Denmark
kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0
Zürich, Switzerland
Zurich
$4,693/month · Switzerland
Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de · CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Copenhagen monthly
$3,261
Index 51 (NYC = 100)
Zurich monthly
$4,693
Index 74 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+44%
Zurich relative to Copenhagen
Rent gap
$700
Zurich costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

CopenhagenZurich
  • Housing
    Housing: Copenhagen $1,900, Zurich $2,600. Cheaper in Copenhagen.
  • Food
    Food: Copenhagen $695, Zurich $903. Cheaper in Copenhagen.
  • Transport
    Transport: Copenhagen $175, Zurich $166. Cheaper in Zurich.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Copenhagen $219, Zurich $239. Cheaper in Copenhagen.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Copenhagen $8.46, Zurich $441. Cheaper in Copenhagen.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Copenhagen $163, Zurich $189. Cheaper in Copenhagen.
  • Other
    Other: Copenhagen $101, Zurich $155. Cheaper in Copenhagen.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricCopenhagenZurich
Cost
Total monthly cost3,261 USD✓4,693 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)51✓74
Housing1,900 USD✓2,600 USD
Utilities219 USD✓239 USD
Food695 USD✓903 USD
Transport175 USD166 USD✓
Healthcare8 USD✓441 USD
Lifestyle163 USD✓189 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,770 USD6,933 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate42.8%16.8%✓
Left over each month1,509 USD2,241 USD✓
Average local net salary3,600 USD6,800 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,900 USD✓2,600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,400 USD✓4,600 USD
Buy price per m², centre9,000 USD✓18,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety88/10092/100✓
Healthcare90/10094/100✓
Air quality84/10086/100✓
Public transport90/10098/100✓
Walkability94/100✓88/100
English proficiency94/100✓80/100
Nightlife84/100✓66/100
Family friendliness92/100✓88/100
Median broadband220 Mbps✓190 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature10°C10°C
Summer high22°C✓25°C
Winter low-1°C-1°C
Sunshine hours per year1,780 h✓1,660 h
Annual rainfall600 mm✓1050 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access20 min✓None nearby
CurrencyDKKCHF
Time zoneEurope/CopenhagenEurope/Zurich

Copenhagen runs about 44% cheaper than Zurich for this household, a difference of 1,432 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in CopenhagenCost of living in ZurichConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Copenhagen vs MunichCopenhagen vs StockholmCopenhagen vs Amsterdam
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Copenhagen or Zurich cheaper?

Copenhagen runs about 44% cheaper than Zurich for this household, a difference of 1,432 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Zurich compared with Copenhagen?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $4,770 a month in Copenhagen and $6,933 in Zurich, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Copenhagen or Zurich?

Copenhagen scores 88/100 on safety and 90/100 on healthcare; Zurich scores 92 and 94. Copenhagen averages 10°C against 10°C in Zurich.