Menu
Expat.com

3400 CHF / month (net) for 1 person. Sounds good?

Last activity 18 July 2016 by amypond

Post new topic

Angel0

Hello,

I'm going to ETH for a Ph.D. The net salary is about 3400 CHF/month. What standard of life should I expect with that amount? Please share your experiences and thoughts! I've already checked some posts on 'cost of living' but I'd like to hear from you anyways.

Thanks!

Angel0

Anyone please??? The point is that I'm finding too much contradictory information meaning that some people say that I'll starve with that amount :o while some people say that I'll be rolling in it :D

jschaepp

The correct answer is that you'll be fine. It depends where you are from and what you're used to in terms of standard of living. 3.4k CHF will not be rolling in it at all but it also won't be scraping by depending on where you live. If you find a flat with some flatmates, you can stay around 1k/mo for something dece which gives you 2.4 for food, assurance, etc. Bottom line is you're good unless you like buying bottles at clubs. ;)

Breanne

You won't have a new, 65sqm+ apartment alone, and you won't be able to eat out a lot. But otherwise you'll be okay. That's a standard phd salary actually. You can pay your assurance and everyday food from average grocery shops, you will be able to pay your rent. You won't be able to save much. And don't be too sad, there are vouchers and sales and coupons and such =)

Sascha42

Hi! - the answer depends on a lot of parameters - where will you live? more city or countryside? what is your lifestyle? exuberant or frugal? what do you want from life? learn a lot or amusement? etc. etc.
Kind regards - Alec

amypond

It should be OK if you share a flat and don't have a car or kids. A car isn't really required, we lived here for 3 years without one. The big expenses will be food, flat, and insurance.

ETH has a board for rooms for rent. Comparis.ch will give you insurance quotes. I'd recommend living close to campus so that you can get together with other grad students and study.

Articles to help you in your expat project in Zurich

  • Buying property in Zurich
    Buying property in Zurich

    As an expatriate, the prospect of investing in real estate can be quite enticing. Some countries have especially ...

  • Accommodation in Zurich
    Accommodation in Zurich

    Despite its high cost of living, Zurich is a fantastic place to reside. However, the population's purchasing ...

  • Working in Zurich
    Working in Zurich

    Zurich is a top choice for expatriates in Switzerland. Being the country's economic and financial hub, the ...

  • Universities in Zurich
    Universities in Zurich

    Zurich is famous for its high-quality higher education and outstanding research centers. For instance, ETH Zurich, ...

  • Student life in Zurich
    Student life in Zurich

    Despite being one of the most expensive cities in the world, Zurich provides a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere for ...

  • Choosing your neighborhood in Zurich
    Choosing your neighborhood in Zurich

    With a population of 1.4 million in 2024, Zurich is Switzerland's largest city and is divided into 12 ...

  • The work culture in Zurich
    The work culture in Zurich

    Many expatriates are drawn to Zurich for its competitive salaries. If you're curious about the working ...

  • Study in Zurich
    Study in Zurich

    With 400,000 inhabitants only, Zurich is not only Switzerland's most densely populated city but also its ...

All of Zurich's guide articles