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Zurich vs Copenhagen

Copenhagen runs about 31% cheaper than Zurich for this household, a difference of 1,448 USD a month.

Zürich, Switzerland
Zurich
$4,722/month · Switzerland
Thomas Wolf, www.foto-tw.de · CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Copenhagen seen from SAS-airplane
Copenhagen
$3,274/month · Denmark
kallerna · CC BY-SA 4.0
Zurich monthly
$4,722
Index 74 (NYC = 100)
Copenhagen monthly
$3,274
Index 51 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-31%
Copenhagen relative to Zurich
Rent gap
$700
Zurich costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

ZurichCopenhagen
  • Housing
    Housing: Zurich $2,600, Copenhagen $1,900. Cheaper in Copenhagen.
  • Food
    Food: Zurich $903, Copenhagen $695. Cheaper in Copenhagen.
  • Transport
    Transport: Zurich $166, Copenhagen $175. Cheaper in Zurich.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Zurich $266, Copenhagen $231. Cheaper in Copenhagen.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Zurich $441, Copenhagen $8.46. Cheaper in Copenhagen.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Zurich $189, Copenhagen $163. Cheaper in Copenhagen.
  • Other
    Other: Zurich $157, Copenhagen $102. 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

MetricZurichCopenhagen
Cost
Total monthly cost4,722 USD3,274 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)7451✓
Housing2,600 USD1,900 USD✓
Utilities266 USD231 USD✓
Food903 USD695 USD✓
Transport166 USD✓175 USD
Healthcare441 USD8 USD✓
Lifestyle189 USD163 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,933 USD✓4,770 USD
Effective tax + social rate16.8%✓42.8%
Left over each month2,212 USD✓1,496 USD
Average local net salary6,800 USD✓3,600 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,600 USD1,900 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre4,600 USD3,400 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre18,000 USD9,000 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety92/100✓88/100
Healthcare94/100✓90/100
Air quality86/100✓84/100
Public transport98/100✓90/100
Walkability88/10094/100✓
English proficiency80/10094/100✓
Nightlife66/10084/100✓
Family friendliness88/10092/100✓
Median broadband190 Mbps220 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature10°C10°C
Summer high25°C22°C✓
Winter low-1°C-1°C
Sunshine hours per year1,660 h1,780 h✓
Annual rainfall1050 mm600 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach accessNone nearby20 min✓
CurrencyCHFDKK
Time zoneEurope/ZurichEurope/Copenhagen

Copenhagen runs about 31% cheaper than Zurich for this household, a difference of 1,448 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in ZurichCost of living in CopenhagenConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Zurich vs LondonZurich vs DublinZurich vs Amsterdam
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Zurich or Copenhagen cheaper?

Copenhagen runs about 31% cheaper than Zurich for this household, a difference of 1,448 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Copenhagen compared with Zurich?

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

Which has better quality of life, Zurich or Copenhagen?

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