Cost of Living in Lausanne

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Summary of cost of living in Lausanne, Switzerland:

  • The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 6,428.3$ (5,024.7Fr.), excluding rent (using our estimator).
  • The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 1,761.2$ (1,376.6Fr.), excluding rent.
  • Lausanne is 60.2% more expensive than Columbus (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
  • Rent in Lausanne is, on average, 57.4% higher than in Columbus.
Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant 31.98 $ 24.31-55.01
Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) 131.77 $ 115.14-191.90
Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) 19.83 $ 19.19-25.59
Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) 10.87 $ 6.40-12.79
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) 9.60 $ 7.68-11.51
Cappuccino (Regular Size) 6.46 $ 3.84-8.96
Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) 5.53 $ 3.84-7.04
Bottled Water (12 oz) 4.79 $ 3.84-7.04
Markets
Edit
Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) 2.31 $ 1.79-2.43
Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) 3.90 $ 1.39-5.80
White Rice (1 lb) 1.92 $ 1.16-2.87
Eggs (12, Large Size) 7.51 $ 4.61-9.21
Local Cheese (1 lb) 12.12 $ 10.45-15.09
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) 12.77 $ 6.67-19.15
Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) 20.81 $ 14.51-46.42
Apples (1 lb) 1.67 $ 0.93-2.32
Bananas (1 lb) 0.95 $ 0.70-1.86
Oranges (1 lb) 1.34 $ 0.87-2.90
Tomatoes (1 lb) 2.88 $ 1.16-4.58
Potatoes (1 lb) 1.00 $ 0.58-1.97
Onions (1 lb) 1.02 $ 0.87-1.16
Lettuce (1 Head) 2.46 $ 1.66-2.69
Bottled Water (50 oz) 1.48 $ 0.77-3.20
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 15.97 $ 10.87-20.47
Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) 2.92 $ 1.92-3.20
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) 3.64 $ 3.20-4.86
Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) 11.51 $ 11.26-11.97
Transportation
Edit
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) 4.99 $ 3.84-6.14
Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) 99.79 $ 97.23-153.52
Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) 8.32 $ 7.93-19.19
Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) 7.82 $ 6.18-7.82
Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) 89.81 $ 69.08-89.81
Gasoline (1 Liter) 2.28 $ 2.19-2.43
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) 41,962.68 $ 36,973.21-45,416.92
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) 41,578.87 $ 41,578.87-41,578.87
Utilities (Monthly)
Edit
Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) 318.25 $ 191.90-466.05
Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) 39.36 $ 19.19-63.97
Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) 55.04 $ 44.78-83.16
Sports And Leisure
Edit
Monthly Fitness Club Membership 73.46 $ 62.69-127.93
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) 51.49 $ 44.78-57.57
Cinema Ticket (International Release) 25.59 $ 20.47-30.70
Childcare
Edit
Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child 3,015.85 $ 2,142.91-4,157.89
International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child 39,829.00 $ 34,542.45-49,881.85
Clothing And Shoes
Edit
Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) 127.68 $ 63.97-179.11
Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) 76.97 $ 51.17-115.14
Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) 154.96 $ 102.35-204.70
Men's Leather Business Shoes 209.31 $ 153.52-255.87
Rent Per Month
Edit
1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre 2,107.73 $ 1,663.15-2,814.57
1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre 1,782.56 $ 1,407.28-2,392.38
3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre 4,146.08 $ 3,198.37-5,590.76
3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre 3,349.76 $ 2,558.70-4,157.89
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre 1,839.25 $ 1,604.54-2,614.80
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 1,410.18 $ 1,366.83-1,782.82
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) 7,839.45 $
Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 1.86 1.70-2.00

Prices in Lausanne

This city had 652 entries in the past 12 months by 51 different contributors.
Last update: 13 April 2026
Sources and References
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Salary Calculator:Got a job offer in Lausanne? Estimate your take-home pay with our Salary Calculator for Lausanne.
  
  
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2 Comments so far
Pedro on Jan 30, 2026:
The average net salary is lower than what is shown here, according to official statistics. Moreover, as healthcare in Switzerland is privately provided and not included in income tax, the effective disposable income is even lower.

Statistics place the average gross annual salary in Lausanne at around CHF 81,000. With approximately 15% income tax, this results in a maximum net income of about CHF 5,000 per month. From this amount, mandatory health insurance must still be deducted, typically CHF 600–700 per month.
Benjamen Bakehena on Mar 20, 2021:
How can I get a single bedroom apartment near EPFL Gene Expression Core Facility.

Currently I am in Uganda I will be joining EPFL for my PhD training in ctober. I am trying to make a budget to submit to my funders.
Your response is highly welcome.

Kind regards
Benjamen Bakehena BSc, MSc.
+25 781 608 281/ 759 764 817
Research Assistant Medical and Molecular Biology laboratories
Makerere University, CHS, Mulago-Kampala, Uganda