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Munich vs Zurich

Munich runs about 31% cheaper than Zurich for this household, a difference of 1,123 USD a month.

Taxisgarten, a traditional beer garden in Munich at night - short exposure.
Munich
$3,570/month · Germany
Martin Falbisoner · CC BY-SA 3.0
Zürich, Switzerland
Zurich
$4,693/month · Switzerland
Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de · CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Munich monthly
$3,570
Index 56 (NYC = 100)
Zurich monthly
$4,693
Index 74 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+31%
Zurich relative to Munich
Rent gap
$600
Zurich costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

MunichZurich
  • Housing
    Housing: Munich $2,000, Zurich $2,600. Cheaper in Munich.
  • Food
    Food: Munich $593, Zurich $903. Cheaper in Munich.
  • Transport
    Transport: Munich $131, Zurich $166. Cheaper in Munich.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Munich $252, Zurich $239. Cheaper in Zurich.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Munich $347, Zurich $441. Cheaper in Munich.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Munich $131, Zurich $189. Cheaper in Munich.
  • Other
    Other: Munich $116, Zurich $155. Cheaper in Munich.
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

MetricMunichZurich
Cost
Total monthly cost3,570 USD✓4,693 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)56✓74
Housing2,000 USD✓2,600 USD
Utilities252 USD239 USD✓
Food593 USD✓903 USD
Transport131 USD✓166 USD
Healthcare347 USD✓441 USD
Lifestyle131 USD✓189 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,965 USD6,933 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate40.4%16.8%✓
Left over each month1,396 USD2,241 USD✓
Average local net salary3,300 USD6,800 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,000 USD✓2,600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,700 USD✓4,600 USD
Buy price per m², centre12,500 USD✓18,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety82/10092/100✓
Healthcare88/10094/100✓
Air quality74/10086/100✓
Public transport92/10098/100✓
Walkability86/10088/100✓
English proficiency74/10080/100✓
Nightlife78/100✓66/100
Family friendliness86/10088/100✓
Median broadband150 Mbps190 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature10°C10°C
Summer high24°C✓25°C
Winter low-2°C-1°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,750 h✓1,660 h
Annual rainfall950 mm✓1050 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach accessNone nearbyNone nearby
CurrencyEURCHF
Time zoneEurope/BerlinEurope/Zurich

Munich runs about 31% cheaper than Zurich for this household, a difference of 1,123 USD a month.

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Cost of living in MunichCost of living in ZurichConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Munich or Zurich cheaper?

Munich runs about 31% cheaper than Zurich for this household, a difference of 1,123 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Zurich compared with Munich?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $4,965 a month in Munich and $6,933 in Zurich, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Munich or Zurich?

Munich scores 82/100 on safety and 88/100 on healthcare; Zurich scores 92 and 94. Munich averages 10°C against 10°C in Zurich.