Hello All,
We (me, wife, 5 years old daughter) are planing to relocate to Zurich and I'm trying to figure the net (and Bruto) cost of living in Zurich (per month).
We are planing to take a three bedrooms flat. I'm not sure where in Zurich, but this can be also a good question (what is a good place for a family?).
We are planing to leas a car, and we will send our daughter to public school. Insurances (like health) is not payed by employer.

I know that this issue is tightly related to our living style, but assume we are a "normal family"; no crazy shopping.
I'm keen to get your thoughts...
Thanks a lot,
Ariel

in real terms, it's quite affordable.
in monetary terms, it could make your eyes bleed a little.

I assume you'll be paid "reasonably"? Then no worries, the quality of life is high here.

Hey Lob,
Thanks for the quick reply.
The issue of "monetary terms" is the one that is bothering me and what I'm after... I'm sure that there are some known estimation out there.
Do you think that 10K per month (net income) are enough for a family?

Cheers,
Ariel

Thats the figure I would pitch. If earning less than 8k/mo net, I personally would reconsider moving here unless there are other factors.
dave

Many people manage on a lot less per month, so don't worry. It just depends on your lifestyle requirements...

Hi Dave,
But then comes the question; if I want 10K net, then what should I quote for Bruto (before tax). I've figured that the overall taxes in Zurich is ~ 25%. Is that true?

Thanks,
Ariel.

I know of many people who earn a lot less than this and have a good lifestyle.

Average yearly expenses

Car Insurance +/- CHF 1300
Health Insurance (depends on your ages and cover)
+/- 200 per adult and 50 for child per month 5400
House contents insurance 600 600
Phone line rental 25 month x 12 = 300
Calls CHF 20 month 240
Internet Broadband 45month x 12 = 540
Mobile depends on contract
TV licence 450 450
Cablecom 25 month x 12 300
Flat Rent +/- 1400 16800
Charges +/- 200 2400
Car leasing (would imagine about 400) 4800
Petrol 200 month 2400
Total 35,530 or CHF 3000 per month

Supermarket Bills depends on your lifestyle, anywhere from 200 to 500 per week I would imagine ,
Weekend entertainment, eating out once in a while etc is variable
(if you want to ski in the winter then add another chf 75/100 for a family day skiing plus equipment , it gets addictive so count that for most weekends!

I’m sure these figures will be corrected by other members but at least it’s a starting point for you .

That implies a salary or gross family income of 160kchf. I am not an accountant but that seems a fair estimate.

dave

An interesting figure is that the Unemployment insurance payout is about 70% of your salary capped to give you about 5600CHF a month (unless the rules have changed). So thats what professional unemployed people will live on...

When I was a student I had a great lifestyle and I "got by" on less

dave

It depends where you live now as well.

In cash terms:
Personally, I think it's not that much more than the UK overall
Compared to the USA or France, it's bloody expensive

In relative terms, 10k net per month will do you very nicely - that's actually quite high even by Swiss standards... more than many Swiss families earn

more than most I'd say

Hello Nickj
Thank you so much for this answer.
I've seen in other threads that the flat rents (three bedrooms) is ~ 2300 per month and car leasing ~ 1000. So, is that exaggerated?
Also, do you know how much in net terms are 180K (annual)?

Cheers,
Ariel

In my experience 2300 for a 3 bedroom flat in Zurich is pretty good value. You could end up paying more for a nice flat in a "good" area though, in some places a lot more.

180K is a very good salary even by Zurich standards.

I too think 2300 is a bit cheap for 3 bedrooms in Zürich. I would suggest 2500+ or ++

dave

Yep Dave,
This is also what I thought.
What would you consider a family friendly area?
I've seen a thread about this, but it seems it was more oriented to singles\ students. I guess that area 4 & 5 are not the ideal place for kids..
What about leasing coasts; 1000 is reasonable?
Kids expenses? (no private school is planed)
Thanks

Theres a leasing calculator that might give you a rough idea of the leasing
costs and if 1000 is enough to put another Cayenne on Zürich's streets

We used to live in Wolishoffen, it's a great area for families. Lot's of parks, near the lake, good shops and on the Nr7 tram line so easy to get into Zurich.

Kids expenses really depend on whether you have a stay at home parent or they will go to day care. There are some threads about this in the Family section of the forum.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lou
"In my experience 2300 for a 3 bedroom flat in Zurich is pretty good value. You could end up paying more for a nice flat in a "good" area though, in some places a lot more. "

Opps, sorry about my totally misleading rental figure, as you can see I live in the not so well off part of Switzerland! I also misread you and priced on 3 1/2 rooms as opposed to 4 1/2 which would of course give you the three bedrooms that you're after

Nick

it's about 1200 to become another Cayenne-Clone