Why Zurich ranks as the world’s most expensive city once again
A new study places Switzerland’s largest city on top in a global league table based on how pricey a city is based on prices for goods and services.
The Economist magazine Intelligence Unit’s Worldwide Cost of Living (WCOL) index, reports the prices of 138 goods and services in about 130 major cities in September 2020.
Zurich, Paris, and Hong Kong share the number 1 spot , followed by Singapore, Tel-Aviv and Osaka.
The report indicated that the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the cost of living in 133 cities around the world since the start of 2020.
“Of the ten categories covered by this report, tobacco and recreation (including consumer electronics) have seen the biggest price increases since last year, while clothing prices have seen the steepest decline”, the Economist noted.
Prices went up primarily due to currency volatility, supply chain problems, the impact of taxes and subsidies, and shifts in consumer preferences during the health crisis.
Even before the Economist report was published on Wednesday, and regardless of the pandemic, Zurich has been ranking as, or among, world’s most expensive cities.
READ MORE: Why going on a date is so expensive in Zurich?
For instance, in its Price and Earnings rankings for 2018 — the last year for which statistics have been collected — UBS bank listed Zurich as having most expensive goods and services among 77 surveyed cities.
UBS assigned New York a value of 100, with all other cities measured against that baseline. Zurich scored 116.8 before rent was factored in, meaning it was 16.8 percent more expensive than New York overall. After rent was factored in, Zurich's score was still a high 104.3.
So what are the average prices in Zurich for basic goods and services?
These calculations were done by ETH, a public research university in Zurich, and covers average monthly expenses for a single person. The actual living costs will depend on each individual’ living situation, the costs of health insurance, and personal lifestyle.
Monthly expenses for a single person
The total of 2,250 francs would have to be multiplied if more than one person lives in a household, as the cost of health insurance and rent for a bigger apartment would increase.
As an indication, rent for a 4-room flat outside the city centre costs 2,535 francs, while the same size accommodation in the centre is 3,600.
Readers verdict: The best and worst things about life in Zurich
You can see the average prices for goods and services in Zurich in November 2020 here.
Now, let’s not forget that salaries in Zurich are among the highest in Switzerland and the world.
The wages depend on a variety of factors, including indutstry, position in a company, and education level.
However, average monthly net salary is around 6,440 francs.
How does this translate into purchasing power — that is, the ability to buy products and services based on net salary?
According to the same UBS study, in terms of purchasing power Zurich ranks second in the world.
So what is expensive to buy in Zurich?
As everywhere in Switzerland, groceries, rent, clothing, restaurants, entertainment, public transportation, and health insurance take the biggest chunk out of a household budget.
On the other hand, electronics and education are less costly than in many other countries. Taxes are lower as well.
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The Economist magazine Intelligence Unit’s Worldwide Cost of Living (WCOL) index, reports the prices of 138 goods and services in about 130 major cities in September 2020.
Zurich, Paris, and Hong Kong share the number 1 spot , followed by Singapore, Tel-Aviv and Osaka.
The report indicated that the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the cost of living in 133 cities around the world since the start of 2020.
“Of the ten categories covered by this report, tobacco and recreation (including consumer electronics) have seen the biggest price increases since last year, while clothing prices have seen the steepest decline”, the Economist noted.
Prices went up primarily due to currency volatility, supply chain problems, the impact of taxes and subsidies, and shifts in consumer preferences during the health crisis.
Even before the Economist report was published on Wednesday, and regardless of the pandemic, Zurich has been ranking as, or among, world’s most expensive cities.
READ MORE: Why going on a date is so expensive in Zurich?
For instance, in its Price and Earnings rankings for 2018 — the last year for which statistics have been collected — UBS bank listed Zurich as having most expensive goods and services among 77 surveyed cities.
UBS assigned New York a value of 100, with all other cities measured against that baseline. Zurich scored 116.8 before rent was factored in, meaning it was 16.8 percent more expensive than New York overall. After rent was factored in, Zurich's score was still a high 104.3.
So what are the average prices in Zurich for basic goods and services?
These calculations were done by ETH, a public research university in Zurich, and covers average monthly expenses for a single person. The actual living costs will depend on each individual’ living situation, the costs of health insurance, and personal lifestyle.
Monthly expenses for a single person
The total of 2,250 francs would have to be multiplied if more than one person lives in a household, as the cost of health insurance and rent for a bigger apartment would increase.
As an indication, rent for a 4-room flat outside the city centre costs 2,535 francs, while the same size accommodation in the centre is 3,600.
Readers verdict: The best and worst things about life in Zurich
You can see the average prices for goods and services in Zurich in November 2020 here.
Now, let’s not forget that salaries in Zurich are among the highest in Switzerland and the world.
The wages depend on a variety of factors, including indutstry, position in a company, and education level.
However, average monthly net salary is around 6,440 francs.
How does this translate into purchasing power — that is, the ability to buy products and services based on net salary?
According to the same UBS study, in terms of purchasing power Zurich ranks second in the world.
So what is expensive to buy in Zurich?
As everywhere in Switzerland, groceries, rent, clothing, restaurants, entertainment, public transportation, and health insurance take the biggest chunk out of a household budget.
On the other hand, electronics and education are less costly than in many other countries. Taxes are lower as well.
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