8.1% below the Switzerland average
Ranked #22 of 577 cities · More expensive than 96.2% of cities worldwide
Compared to Switzerland average · See Switzerland ranking →
| Apartment | City Centre | Outside Centre | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Bedroom | CHF 1,562/mo ≈ $1,866 | CHF 1,182/mo ≈ $1,412 | 24% |
| 3-Bedroom | CHF 2,942/mo ≈ $3,516 | CHF 2,089/mo ≈ $2,497 | 29% |
Prices in local currency, cross-referenced from multiple independent sources. October 2026.
Bern has a cost of living index of 75.2 (New York = 100, rent included), the average of 3 of 3 data sources.
ShouldIMove price index: our own basket of real item prices plus rent.
Bern is very expensive by global standards (ranked #22 of 577 cities). It is 8.1% cheaper than the Switzerland average, based on 9 cities.
Groceries are average and dining out is average. The best value is rent and the priciest is groceries.
Local purchasing power is strong: residents can afford more goods and services than in most cities.
Workers in Switzerland earning CHF 47,345 gross take home CHF 3,348/month after tax (15.1% effective rate). See full Switzerland tax calculator →
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