Study in Switzerland: Housing & Living Costs in Switzerland

Residing as a student in Switzerland will make you feel safe and familiarize you with the unique Swiss culture! The renting market in Switzerland is quite competitive, as the majority of locals and internationals rent instead of buying properties. 

Don’t get discouraged though! Start searching for student accommodation through your university or privately online as soon as possible. Some of the most popular house-renting websites in Switzerland include Homegate, Immostreet, Immoscout, Immomapper and Remax. The private rental market will cost you slightly more, but it will give you the chance to be more flexible during your search. 

The cost of living in Switzerland is among the highest internationally. As a result, international students make an effort to minimize the cost of living in Switzerland by sharing student apartments.

Many Swiss universities have housing offices that provide discounted rooms to international students in university dormitories. The type of student dormitories depends on the city your university is located in and can range from 500 CHF to 800 CHF per month. This type of accommodation is typically limited in number, so make sure you apply as early as possible. 

Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne and Basel are the most expensive and popular student cities in the country and the rental prices fluctuate as following for student accommodation:

• Zurich: From 1,700 CHF to 5,000 CHF depending on the location. 
• Geneva: From 1,700 CHF to 5,000 CHF depending on the location. However,  you could be able to find student accommodation with around 1,000 CHF per month if you search thoroughly. 
• Lausanne: The prices in Lausanne are considerably lower than in Zurich or Geneva, fluctuating between 1,500 CHF to 2,800 CHF. Plus, did you know that Lausanne has its own student village? That way you can find affordable student housing and meet a lot of international students. 
• Basel: Basel, compared to the aforementioned cities, is a rather student-friendly choice, as prices for student shared accommodation range between 1,400 CHF to 2,600 CHF. 

Last but not least...have you ever thought about living with a family during your studies? That way you can experience the Swiss culture from the inside! Many families offer lower rates than the regular rental market and it would be a unique opportunity to meet new people and practice your foreign language skills. 

It’s hard to deny that Switzerland has a high cost of living, but it is surely worth it! Investing in Swiss accredited education in one of the countries with the best qualities of life on earth is a great initial step for your career development.  Just make sure you have a well-planned budget that will assist you in making the most out of the exciting opportunities Switzerland has to offer you. 

Housing won’t be your only monthly cost in Switzerland and it would be good for you to know that everyday costs differ depending on the region of Switzerland you’re studying in. We've compiled some average costs below in order to give you an idea of how much you would spend in Switzerland. 

Some average living costs in Switzerland are: