How Much Does It Cost to Live In Lugano?
Both residents and visitors to Lugano are often heard complaining of the city’s unaffordable prices.
However, when compared to Geneva and Zurich, which are among the ten most expensive in the world, Lugano is ideal destination for those who are looking for less crowded, thus less expensive city which has to offer everything you would find in other major cites in Swizerland.
Once coming to Lugano, the heaviest costs you will experience here would be rent, food and transportation.
Switzerland : Cost of Living by City
Cost of Living in Switzerland
RESTAURANTS
Great purchasing power and a lot of tourists determine the restaurant prices in Lugano.
Actually, restaurants in the city center should be avoided, as they are the most expensive, but they offer the best quality food.
You can have the least expensive meal for one person at the price of $25.
MARKETS
By choosing where and when you would shop you can save a lot of money on already expensive foodstuff.
All you need to do is take advantage of discounts and promotions which are frequent in large supermarkets and search around for local markets which offer fresh products at lower prices.
TRANSPORTATION
Lugano has the cheapest public transportation system when it comes to major cities in Switzerland, being that you can buy a monthly pass for just $46.
There is no need for a car here as you can commute by train, bus or tramway which are more affordable means of transport.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
How much you will spend on utilities depends on your living habits and number of family members.
For an average two-bedroom apartment in Lugano, charges and utilities including power, garbage, water heating and the Internet and are added to the monthly rent and they are around $200 per month.
SPORTS & LEISURE
Entertainment is very important portion of every person’s life and having some leisure time after hard day at work is necessary.
While some people would spend money in restaurants, others would rather do some sports or go to the movies.
Leisure activities are pretty expensive in Lugano.
CLOTHING & SHOES
Switzerland is not a place where shopping for clothes is suggested, due to the high designer clothes prices.
Very little amount of money is spent on that, as apparel is not of essential importance.
If you do not mind wearing non-branded clothes, you would save much on it.
RENT PER MONTH
If you are having doubts about where to settle in Switzerland, it would be interesting to know that renting a property in Lugano often costs less than the Swiss average.
You will be able to find a decent place of living out of the city center for as much as $900 which is impossible in other major cities.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Lugano
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $24.89 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $5.97 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $2.41 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $5.46 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.99 |
| Eggs (12) | $6.27 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $2.49 |
| Monthly Pass | $46.79 |
| Gasoline | $5.70 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $161.04 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.34 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $52.49 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $80.04 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $31.36 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $16.92 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $105.88 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $55.30 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $109.41 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $1278.51 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $912.48 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $2618 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Lugano?
Make sure that you will have enough money for monthly food supply, as it will take almost 40% of your monthly income.
Utilities for your home are not the most important expense, but if you want to set them and use them regularly at your home, it makes sense to pay for it, and they are not inexpensive in Lugano.
If you spend as the Lugano citizens do, you will be able to manage leading a stable and modest life, even though the prices are higher than in the rest of the world.
Average Costs Breakdown
Lugano: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Besides renting an apartment and packing up all your belongings so as to move to Lugano, it is good to know your future salary in advance, so as to be able to organize your budget accordingly.
You may feel like you have finally sorted out everything, but if you do not earn enough, you will have trouble starting your new life in Switzerland.
Lugano offers its employees quite high salaries, being that the average is approximately $4700, which is estimated to be enough for all the basic expenses.
Cost of Living by City in Lugano
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Basel | 126.89 |
| Bern | 118.42 |
| Geneva | 118.33 |
| Lausanne | 119.62 |
| Zurich | 128.65 |
