Zurich named the world's most expensive city again

The city, nestled between the lake and the mountains, is spatially limited, urban regulations are strict, and demand is constantly increasing. In such circumstances, the prices of the area in square meters become the main generator of the total cost of living.

According to Numbeo data for 2026, monthly rent-free living costs for a single person in Zurich are around 1,453 Swiss francs (about 1,567 euros), while for a family of four, this amount increases to approximately 5,395 francs (about 5,819 euros).

These are expenses that include food, transportation, utilities, restaurants, and other daily expenses, but not rent. This is precisely why housing remains an essential element in the overall calculation.

According to data from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (BFS), the average monthly rent for an apartment in Switzerland in 2025 was around 1,451 francs (about 1,565 euros), excluding utilities.

However, this figure is a national average. Zurich, as the country's financial and business center, regularly records higher rent levels than the Swiss average.

According to real estate market data Numbeo, the average price per square meter of an apartment in the center of Zurich exceeds 15,000 francs (more than 16,000 euros), while outside the center it is around 11,000 to 12,000 francs per square meter (about 11,800 to 12,900 euros).

Given these prices, the average apartment purchase easily exceeds one million francs. Swiss banks typically require a minimum of 20 percent equity, meaning a buyer must have at least 200,000 francs (more than 215,000 euros) before they can apply for a mortgage.

The city, nestled between the lake and the mountains, is spatially limited, urban regulations are strict, and demand is constantly increasing. In such circumstances, the prices of the area in square meters become the main generator of the total cost of living.

According to Numbeo data for 2026, monthly rent-free living costs for a single person in Zurich are around 1,453 Swiss francs (about 1,567 euros), while for a family of four, this amount increases to approximately 5,395 francs (about 5,819 euros).

These are expenses that include food, transportation, utilities, restaurants, and other daily expenses, but not rent. This is precisely why housing remains an essential element in the overall calculation.

According to data from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (BFS), the average monthly rent for an apartment in Switzerland in 2025 was around 1,451 francs (about 1,565 euros), excluding utilities.

However, this figure is a national average. Zurich, as the country's financial and business center, regularly records higher rent levels than the Swiss average.

According to real estate market data Numbeo, the average price per square meter of an apartment in the center of Zurich exceeds 15,000 francs (more than 16,000 euros), while outside the center it is around 11,000 to 12,000 francs per square meter (about 11,800 to 12,900 euros).

Given these prices, the average apartment purchase easily exceeds one million francs. Swiss banks typically require a minimum of 20 percent equity, meaning a buyer must have at least 200,000 francs (more than 215,000 euros) before they can apply for a mortgage.

Zurich has once again been named the world's most expensive city, according to the latest Numbeo cost of living index. While high prices for food, restaurants and services regularly fill the statistics, the main reason the Swiss financial capital leads global comparisons lies in real estate.

The city, nestled between the lake and the mountains, is spatially limited, urban regulations are strict, and demand is constantly increasing. In such circumstances, the prices of the area in square meters become the main generator of the total cost of living.

According to Numbeo data for 2026, monthly rent-free living costs for a single person in Zurich are around 1,453 Swiss francs (about 1,567 euros), while for a family of four, this amount increases to approximately 5,395 francs (about 5,819 euros).

These are expenses that include food, transportation, utilities, restaurants, and other daily expenses, but not rent. This is precisely why housing remains an essential element in the overall calculation.

According to data from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (BFS), the average monthly rent for an apartment in Switzerland in 2025 was around 1,451 francs (about 1,565 euros), excluding utilities.

However, this figure is a national average. Zurich, as the country's financial and business center, regularly records higher rent levels than the Swiss average.

According to real estate market data Numbeo, the average price per square meter of an apartment in the center of Zurich exceeds 15,000 francs (more than 16,000 euros), while outside the center it is around 11,000 to 12,000 francs per square meter (about 11,800 to 12,900 euros).

Given these prices, the average apartment purchase easily exceeds one million francs. Swiss banks typically require a minimum of 20 percent equity, meaning a buyer must have at least 200,000 francs (morethat 215,000 euros) before he can apply for a mortgage loan./Indeksonline/