Zurich, Switzerland
Editor
March 12, 2023
Zurich is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a vibrant city with plenty of opportunities. With a population of over 400,000, Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the country's economic and cultural hub. It is also one of the most livable cities in the world, ranking first in the world for quality of life according to Mercer's Quality of Living Survey. The city is home to a wide range of industries, from finance and banking to technology and media, making it an attractive destination for digital nomads looking to work remotely. Additionally, Zurich is known for its stunning natural beauty, with the Alps and Lake Zurich providing a stunning backdrop to the city. The city also boasts a vibrant nightlife, with plenty of bars, clubs, and restaurants to explore. With its excellent infrastructure, low crime rate, and high quality of life, Zurich is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking to work and explore in a safe and beautiful environment.
Living in Zurich, Switzerland: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
76%
Quality of life -
94%
Cost of living -
89%
Connectivity -
81%
Weather
75
General
| Currency | CHF |
| Population (in millions) | 1.4 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | 1 |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 20% more expensive |
| Best neighborhood to stay | Seefeld, Zurich 8 |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 80 |
| Top selling local beer | Hefeweizen |
| Most popular local dish | Rösti |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | Lake Zurich, Old Town, Grossmünster Church |
| Discount airline | Swiss |
| Major airline | Swiss Airlines |
| Largest ride sharing company | Lyft |
| Primary train stations | Zurich Hauptbahnhof, Zurich Oerlikon, Zurich Stadelhofen |
| Primary airports | Zurich Airport, Kloten Airport, and St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport |
| Best rental car company | Hertz |
| Used car costs | 25000 CHF |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | Bahnhofstrasse 5, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 100 Mbps |
| Power socket type | C,F |
| Supply voltage | 230V |
| Best electronics store | Digitec |
| Best internet carrier | Swisscom |
| Primary cellular carrier | Swisscom |
| Average monthly cost for internet | 80 CHF |
Shopping
| The best drug store | Coop |
| Best restaurant chain | Hiltl |
| The best grocery store | Coop |
| The most popular fashion brand | H&M |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $83,845 / year |
| Average annual income | $100,000 |
| Sales tax rate | 7.7% |
| Income tax rate | 24.2% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 90 days |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 1.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | 200 CHF |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | UBS |
| Average tip in restaurant | 15% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Very common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 112 (general), 117 (police), 144 (ambulance), 118 (firefighters) |
| Polution per square meter | 1,845 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | 11 |
| Main religion | Protestant |
Quality of life
76%
-
81%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
103%
Property to income -
19%
Crime -
73%
Healthcare -
81%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | CHF 6,380 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 1.92% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | CHF 2,772 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | CHF 31,644 |
Cost of living
94%
-
Purchasing Power
117%
-
Rent
65%
-
Food
116%
-
Restaurant
116%
-
Workspace
19%
-
Transport
34%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | CHF 2,180.83 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | CHF 1,630.98 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | CHF 4,000.92 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | CHF 2,801.45 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | CHF 39.06 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | CHF 1.68 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | CHF 2.99 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | CHF 5.98 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | CHF 25.80 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | CHF 1.31 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | CHF 13.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | CHF 2.03 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | CHF 2.76 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | CHF 8.99 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | CHF 26.12 |
| Apples (1kg) | CHF 3.59 |
| Oranges (1kg) | CHF 3.01 |
| Potato (1kg) | CHF 2.42 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | CHF 2.22 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | CHF 3.26 |
| Tomato (1kg) | CHF 4.37 |
| Banana (1kg) | CHF 2.66 |
| Onion (1kg) | CHF 2.24 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | CHF 50.09 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | CHF 25.00 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | CHF 120.00 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | CHF 15.00 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | CHF 8.00 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | CHF 7.00 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | CHF 4.38 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | CHF 4.08 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | CHF 5.30 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | CHF 252.95 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | CHF 0.42 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | CHF 50.98 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | CHF 87.06 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | CHF 39.06 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | CHF 20.00 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | CHF 4.40 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | CHF 100.00 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | CHF 2.08 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | CHF 32,150.00 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | CHF 30,831.36 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | CHF 7.00 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | CHF 5.00 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | CHF 80.00 |