Basel vs Edinburgh Cost of Living

Basel (Switzerland) · Overall index 88.9Edinburgh (United Kingdom) · Overall index 59.0

Summary

  • Overall, Edinburgh is 34% cheaper than Basel.
  • Rent in Edinburgh is 42% cheaper than in Basel.
  • Dining out in Edinburgh is 36% cheaper than in Basel.
ItemBaselEdinburghDiff
Rent-42%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$2,751$1,443-48%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,611$1,162-28%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$5,248$2,865-45%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$3,317$1,811-45%
Groceries-31%
Milk (1L)$1.47$0.92-37%
White bread (500g)$4.77$3.19-33%
Rice (1kg)$5.18$3.73-28%
Eggs (12)$5.02$3.67-27%
Local cheese (1kg)$16.6$11.8-29%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$13.5$9.77-28%
Beef round (1kg)$18.6$14.3-23%
Apples (1kg)$6.56$4.4-33%
Bananas (1kg)$2.38$1.49-37%
Oranges (1kg)$5.18$3.65-30%
Tomatoes (1kg)$6.19$4.12-33%
Potatoes (1kg)$3.42$2.52-26%
Onions (1kg)$3.35$2.33-30%
Lettuce (1 head)$2.98$2.2-26%
Water (1.5L bottle)$2.87$1.8-37%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$16.7$10.7-36%
Transport-35%
Public transport, one-way ticket$3.02$1.64-46%
Public transport, monthly pass$116$74-36%
Taxi, base fare$3.89$2.9-25%
Taxi, per km$2.03$1.29-36%
Gasoline (1L)$1.09$0.68-38%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$27,450$20,187-26%
Dining out-36%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$27.1$14.3-47%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$113$93.6-17%
Fast food combo meal$13.4$9.08-32%
Cappuccino$5.82$3.72-36%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$3.04$1.73-43%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$7.08$4.94-30%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$8.23$5.59-32%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$2.51$1.43-43%
Telecom-25%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$64.4$54.3-16%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$77$53.6-30%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.37$0.24-35%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$16.3$13-20%
Utilities & household-28%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$180$122-32%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.25$0.16-36%
Tap water (1m³)$5.29$3.41-36%
Natural gas (1m³)$1.57$1.06-32%
Waste collection (monthly)$23.1$18-22%
Fitness club (monthly)$83.3$61.5-26%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$15.5$12.3-21%
Men's haircut$32.1$26.7-17%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$25.1$20.3-19%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$2,476$1,472-41%

2,924 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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