How expensive is Switzerland compared with Europe?
In 2024, overall consumer prices in Switzerland stood at 184.3 on Eurostat's price level index (EU average = 100), +84% above the EU. The gap is widest for food (158.5) and health (223.7), and smaller for recreation & culture (160.6). Germany sits at 109.1, France at 107.9, Italy at 98.1 and Austria at 119.7. Every figure below comes from the official Eurostat–OECD purchasing-power programme.
Price levels by category, 2024 (EU27 = 100)
| Category | CH | DE | FR | IT | AT | NL | ES | DK | NO | EU27 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall consumer prices (actual individual consumption) | 184.3 | 109.1 | 107.9 | 98.1 | 119.7 | 121 | 90.7 | 142.8 | 134.1 | 100 |
| Food & non-alcoholic beverages | 158.5 | 102.7 | 110.1 | 101.7 | 110.5 | 98.9 | 95.2 | 120.2 | 131.2 | 100 |
| Housing, water & energy | 214.4 | 113.1 | 122.5 | 93.4 | 113.3 | 129.8 | 96.5 | 185.5 | 99.9 | 100 |
| Health | 223.7 | 111.9 | 98.9 | 116.6 | 148.4 | 139.8 | 96.4 | 142 | 173.6 | 100 |
| Transport | 126.9 | 109.7 | 108.9 | 95.7 | 109.1 | 112.9 | 87.4 | 125 | 117.5 | 100 |
| Recreation & culture | 160.6 | 107 | 105.7 | 93.9 | 118.3 | 112.4 | 94.2 | 136.7 | 138.5 | 100 |
| Restaurants & hotels | 170.8 | 112.1 | 110 | 106.9 | 110 | 124.6 | 83.9 | 147.6 | 140 | 100 |
Index reading: 100 = EU27 average price level; 150 = 50% above it. Green marks the lowest price level per row (excluding the EU aggregate). Source: Eurostat, prc_ppp_ind (Eurostat–OECD PPP programme) · data release 2025-07-10 · retrieved 2026-09-04.
Switzerland vs its neighbours
- Germany: overall consumer prices are about 69% lower than in Switzerland (109.1 vs 184.3, 2024).
- France: overall consumer prices are about 71% lower than in Switzerland (107.9 vs 184.3, 2024).
- Italy: overall consumer prices are about 88% lower than in Switzerland (98.1 vs 184.3, 2024).
- Austria: overall consumer prices are about 54% lower than in Switzerland (119.7 vs 184.3, 2024).
The trend since 2015
| Year | CH | DE | FR | IT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 177.5 | 106.8 | 110.5 | 106.7 |
| 2016 | 176 | 106.5 | 110.2 | 105.3 |
| 2017 | 175.3 | 106.4 | 110.6 | 104.7 |
| 2018 | 168.8 | 106.2 | 110.9 | 104.4 |
| 2019 | 174.9 | 107.6 | 109.6 | 102.9 |
| 2020 | 182.2 | 108 | 108.9 | 102.6 |
| 2021 | 175.9 | 108.2 | 110.4 | 102.2 |
| 2022 | 182.4 | 108.9 | 109.5 | 100.6 |
| 2023 | 183.7 | 109 | 109.1 | 98.4 |
| 2024 | 184.3 | 109.1 | 107.9 | 98.1 |
Two forces drive the Swiss gap: domestically, high wages feed directly into labour-intensive prices (food retail, restaurants, health); externally, the strong franc raises Switzerland's measured price level in euro terms: part of the index movement above is exchange rate, not domestic inflation.
What price levels do NOT tell you
A price level index compares prices, not living standards. It says nothing about Swiss salaries (far above EU average), taxes (which vary massively by canton: from CHF 3'339 to CHF 12'866 per year for the same income), mandatory health premiums or rent. For the decision "can I afford Switzerland, and where?", compare cantons directly: taxes, rent, health premiums, or use the move calculator at commune level.
Frequently asked questions
How much more expensive is Switzerland than the EU?
In 2024, Swiss consumer prices were +84% above the EU27 average on Eurostat's price level index (Switzerland 184.3, EU = 100).
Is food more expensive in Switzerland than in Germany?
Yes, food & non-alcoholic beverages price levels: Switzerland 158.5 vs Germany 102.7 (EU = 100, Eurostat 2024). That is roughly 54% higher.
Do higher Swiss prices mean a lower standard of living?
No. Price level indices compare prices, not incomes or purchasing power. Swiss wages are also far above the EU average; whether a household is better off depends on income, taxes, health premiums and rent, which the Swiss Living Index compares canton by canton.