How much money do I need in Switzerland?
March 10, 2025
5 min read
Learn / Investing in Switzerland
arvy's Teaser: "Life in Switzerland is expensive." Yes, true. But how expensive exactly? Most budget calculators give you averages that have nothing to do with your life. Here you get three honest monthly budgets — line by line, for three typical life situations, with realistic figures from the greater Zurich area. No sanitised averages. And at the end: the answer to the most important question — how much you should invest each month.
20–30%
Realistic savings rate: single, no children
CHF 1,800
Typical childcare costs for 2 children (3 days/week)
CHF 7,258
3a maximum 2026 — CHF 605/month
Note: Greater Zurich area
All budgets are based on the greater Zurich area (city + agglomeration). In cheaper cantons (Aargau, Thurgau, rural Lucerne) rent, taxes, and health insurance are often 20–30% lower. Adjust the numbers for your location.
Budget 1: Single, 28 years, CHF 80,000 gross
Profile: Software developer, permit B, 2.5-room flat in Zurich-Altstetten, public transport, no car.
Monthly Budget – CHF 80,000 gross / approx. CHF 5,150 net*
| Fixed costs | |
| Rent (2.5 rooms, Altstetten) | CHF 1,650 |
| Health insurance (basic, CHF 2,500 deductible) | CHF 350 |
| Public transport pass | CHF 230 |
| Phone + internet | CHF 80 |
| Serafe (radio/TV licence) | CHF 28 |
| Insurance (liability, contents) | CHF 40 |
| Variable costs | |
| Groceries & household | CHF 550 |
| Eating out & going out | CHF 300 |
| Clothing & personal care | CHF 150 |
| Leisure, sport, subscriptions | CHF 200 |
| Health (dentist, co-payment) | CHF 80 |
| Travel / holidays (reserve) | CHF 250 |
| Total expenses | CHF 3,908 |
| Available to invest | CHF ~1,240 / month |
*Net after AHV, pension fund contributions, and withholding tax (permit B). Taxes already deducted.
What to do with CHF 1,240?
→ CHF 605/month into Pillar 3a (= CHF 7,258/year, maximum used)
→ CHF 635/month into free investing (quality strategy via arvy)
Savings rate: 24% — solid. Over 10 years at 5% return: roughly CHF 190,000.
Budget 2: Couple, both 34, CHF 150,000 gross combined
Profile: Him project manager (CHF 95k), her marketing manager (CHF 55k). Permit C, 3.5-room flat in Winterthur, one car.
Monthly Budget – CHF 150,000 gross / approx. CHF 8,900 net*
| Fixed costs | |
| Rent (3.5 rooms, Winterthur) | CHF 1,900 |
| Utility costs | CHF 200 |
| Health insurance (2 people) | CHF 700 |
| Taxes (monthly reserve, ordinary assessment) | CHF 1,300 |
| Car (leasing, insurance, fuel, parking) | CHF 650 |
| Phone + internet | CHF 120 |
| Serafe + insurance | CHF 100 |
| Variable costs | |
| Groceries & household | CHF 900 |
| Eating out & going out | CHF 400 |
| Clothing & personal care | CHF 250 |
| Leisure, sport, subscriptions | CHF 300 |
| Health | CHF 120 |
| Travel / holidays | CHF 500 |
| Total expenses | CHF 7,440 |
| Available to invest | CHF ~1,460 / month |
*Net after AHV and pension fund contributions, tax reserve included separately.
What to do with CHF 1,460?
→ CHF 1,210/month into 2× Pillar 3a (both partners CHF 605/month = CHF 14,516/year)
→ CHF 250/month into free investing
Savings rate: 16% — okay, but room to improve. Get rid of the car → savings rate jumps to 24%.
Budget 3: Family, 2 children (ages 3 & 6), CHF 180,000 gross
Profile: Him pharma team leader (CHF 130k), her 60% teacher (CHF 50k). Permit C, 4.5-room flat in Uster, one car, nursery + after-school care.
Monthly Budget – CHF 180,000 gross / approx. CHF 10,700 net*
| Fixed costs | |
| Rent (4.5 rooms, Uster) | CHF 2,400 |
| Utility costs | CHF 280 |
| Health insurance (2 adults + 2 children) | CHF 1,050 |
| Taxes (monthly reserve) | CHF 1,600 |
| Nursery + after-school care (2 children, 3 days) | CHF 1,800 |
| Car | CHF 650 |
| Phone + internet + Serafe + insurance | CHF 250 |
| Variable costs | |
| Groceries & household (4 people) | CHF 1,200 |
| Eating out (less often with children) | CHF 250 |
| Clothing (4 people, children grow) | CHF 250 |
| Leisure, hobbies, children's activities | CHF 300 |
| Health (family) | CHF 150 |
| Travel / holidays | CHF 400 |
| Total expenses | CHF 10,580 |
| Available to invest | CHF ~120 / month |
*Net after AHV and pension fund contributions, tax reserve included. Child benefits (~CHF 450/month) included in net.
Reality check: Childcare is the biggest expense
CHF 1,800/month for nursery and after-school care — more than the whole family's health insurance. That's not an outlier, that's reality in German-speaking Switzerland. As soon as the children start school, a massive saving lever opens up. Until then: prioritise 3a (tax-deductible!) and leave the CHF 120/month as buffer. Investment mode starts when childcare costs fall — then CHF 1,500+/month suddenly become available.
How much should you invest? The savings rate check
Savings rate by life situation
Single, no children20–30% realistic
Couple, DINK (Double Income No Kids)25–35% realistic
Family with nursery-age children5–15% (hard but possible)
Family, children in school15–25% (use the childcare saving!)
Savings rate = (invested + 3a) ÷ net income. Pension fund contributions don't count (already deducted).
"The most important number isn't what you earn. It's what you invest."
The 5 biggest cost traps in Switzerland
1. Health insurance: never compare, never switch
The basic insurance is identical at all providers — only the price differs. Those who never switch often pay CHF 1,000–2,000 more per year than necessary. Compare every year by November on priminfo.admin.ch.
2. Eating out: the silent budget killer
A lunch in Zurich: CHF 22–30. Five times a week: CHF 500–650/month. Cooking at home saves easily CHF 300/month — that's CHF 3,600/year that could flow directly into your 3a.
3. Car in the city
Full costs of a car (leasing, insurance, maintenance, fuel, parking): CHF 600–900/month. In cities with good public transport, a Mobility subscription + occasional car-sharing is often cheaper and more flexible.
4. Wrong health insurance deductible
Rule of thumb: if you go to the doctor fewer than twice a year → high deductible (CHF 2,500) saves on premiums. If you go more often → calculate with a lower deductible (CHF 300).
5. Not planning for taxes
Anyone on the ordinary assessment system who doesn't budget for taxes may face a bill of CHF 5,000–15,000 in March. Set aside 10–15% of your gross salary monthly as a tax reserve.
What to do with the surplus
1️⃣ Emergency fund: 6 months of expenses in a savings account (→ CHF 50k Guide)
2️⃣ Pillar 3a: Max out — CHF 7,258/year (→ 3a Comparison 2026)
3️⃣ Pension fund buy-in: If there's a gap (→ Pension Fund Guide)
4️⃣ Free investing: Everything above — long-term, diversified, via savings plan
Frequently asked questions about living costs in Switzerland
How much money do you need per month in Switzerland?
As a single person in Zurich: realistically CHF 3,500–4,500/month for a normal life (no car, no luxury). As a couple: CHF 6,000–8,500. As a family with 2 children: CHF 9,000–12,000. Costs are 20–30% lower in cheaper cantons (Aargau, Thurgau, rural Lucerne).
What is a realistic savings rate in Switzerland?
Financial experts recommend at least 20% of net income for long-term wealth building. Singles without children can realistically achieve 20–30%. Families with nursery-age children are already doing well at 5–15%. After the children start school, the rate can rise to 15–25%.
How much does childcare cost in Switzerland?
Parents typically pay CHF 800–1,200 per child per month for 3 days of nursery care (depending on income and municipality). For 2 children: easily CHF 1,500–2,000/month — more than rent or health insurance. Once children start school, this cost largely disappears.
How expensive is health insurance in Switzerland?
The basic premium in Zurich is roughly CHF 340–420/month per adult (2026) for a CHF 2,500 deductible. It's identical at all insurers — only the price differs. Always compare in November. The deductible choice matters: high deductible (CHF 2,500) saves on premiums but means paying more when you use healthcare.
Your budget is set. Now invest.
Whether it's CHF 100 or CHF 1,000 per month — with arvy you invest your 3a and free assets in quality companies.
Open Pillar 3a | Start savings plan» Investment Calculator: What will your budget grow to?
Disclaimer: All budgets are reference values based on the greater Zurich area, as of 2026. Actual costs depend on canton, municipality, and personal circumstances. arvy is an asset manager supervised by FINMA.
