Berlin vs Basel Cost of Living

Berlin (Germany) · Overall index 60.5Basel (Switzerland) · Overall index 88.9

Summary

  • Overall, Basel is 47% more expensive than Berlin.
  • Rent in Basel is 57% more expensive than in Berlin.
  • Dining out in Basel is 55% more expensive than in Berlin.
ItemBerlinBaselDiff
Rent+57%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,809$2,751+52%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,061$1,611+52%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$3,318$5,248+58%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,981$3,317+67%
Groceries+45%
Milk (1L)$1.08$1.47+36%
White bread (500g)$2.73$4.77+75%
Rice (1kg)$4.17$5.18+24%
Eggs (12)$3.78$5.02+33%
Local cheese (1kg)$10.7$16.6+55%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$10.3$13.5+31%
Beef round (1kg)$16$18.6+16%
Apples (1kg)$3.81$6.56+72%
Bananas (1kg)$1.58$2.38+51%
Oranges (1kg)$3.71$5.18+40%
Tomatoes (1kg)$4.02$6.19+54%
Potatoes (1kg)$2.23$3.42+53%
Onions (1kg)$2.26$3.35+48%
Lettuce (1 head)$2$2.98+49%
Water (1.5L bottle)$2$2.87+44%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$11.1$16.7+50%
Transport+46%
Public transport, one-way ticket$1.87$3.02+61%
Public transport, monthly pass$84.3$116+38%
Taxi, base fare$2.71$3.89+44%
Taxi, per km$1.27$2.03+60%
Gasoline (1L)$0.74$1.09+47%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$21,143$27,450+30%
Dining out+55%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$15.6$27.1+74%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$88.5$113+28%
Fast food combo meal$8.01$13.4+67%
Cappuccino$3.38$5.82+72%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$2.05$3.04+48%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$4.83$7.08+47%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$6.19$8.23+33%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$1.43$2.51+76%
Telecom+33%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$47.6$64.4+35%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$58.3$77+32%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.26$0.37+42%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$12.9$16.3+26%
Utilities & household+40%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$144$180+25%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.15$0.25+67%
Tap water (1m³)$3.66$5.29+45%
Natural gas (1m³)$1.08$1.57+45%
Waste collection (monthly)$16.9$23.1+37%
Fitness club (monthly)$62.1$83.3+34%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$10.3$15.5+50%
Men's haircut$26.9$32.1+19%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$17.6$25.1+43%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$1,733$2,476+43%

2,982 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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