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London vs Zurich

London runs about 17% cheaper than Zurich for this household, a difference of 671 USD a month.

Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge as seen from the south bank of the River Thames.
London
$4,050/month · United Kingdom
Terry Ott from Washington, DC Metro Area, United States of America · CC BY 2.0
Zürich, Switzerland
Zurich
$4,722/month · Switzerland
Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de · CC BY-SA 3.0 de
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Zurich monthly
$4,722
Index 74 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+17%
Zurich relative to London
Rent gap
$0
Zurich costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

LondonZurich
  • Housing
    Housing: London $2,600, Zurich $2,600. Cheaper in London.
  • Food
    Food: London $617, Zurich $903. Cheaper in London.
  • Transport
    Transport: London $282, Zurich $166. Cheaper in Zurich.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: London $267, Zurich $266. Cheaper in Zurich.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: London $8.03, Zurich $441. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: London $169, Zurich $189. Cheaper in London.
  • Other
    Other: London $107, Zurich $157. Cheaper in London.
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

MetricLondonZurich
Cost
Total monthly cost4,050 USD✓4,722 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)63✓74
Housing2,600 USD2,600 USD
Utilities267 USD266 USD✓
Food617 USD✓903 USD
Transport282 USD166 USD✓
Healthcare8 USD✓441 USD
Lifestyle169 USD✓189 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,953 USD6,933 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate28.6%16.8%✓
Left over each month1,902 USD2,212 USD✓
Average local net salary3,600 USD6,800 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,600 USD2,600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre5,200 USD4,600 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre15,000 USD✓18,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety66/10092/100✓
Healthcare84/10094/100✓
Air quality60/10086/100✓
Public transport92/10098/100✓
Walkability90/100✓88/100
English proficiency100/100✓80/100
Nightlife94/100✓66/100
Family friendliness72/10088/100✓
Median broadband90 Mbps190 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature12°C10°C✓
Summer high23°C✓25°C
Winter low3°C✓-1°C
Sunshine hours per year1,480 h1,660 h✓
Annual rainfall600 mm✓1050 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access90 min✓None nearby
CurrencyGBPCHF
Time zoneEurope/LondonEurope/Zurich

London runs about 17% cheaper than Zurich for this household, a difference of 671 USD a month.

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Cost of living in LondonCost of living in ZurichConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
London vs DublinLondon vs AmsterdamLondon vs Munich
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is London or Zurich cheaper?

London runs about 17% cheaper than Zurich for this household, a difference of 671 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Zurich compared with London?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,953 a month in London and $6,933 in Zurich, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, London or Zurich?

London scores 66/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Zurich scores 92 and 94. London averages 12°C against 10°C in Zurich.