Cost of Living - Frankfurt 60K € vs Zurich 90K CHF

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1
Hi all,

My name is Robert, I'm currently working as Business Analyst in Frankfurt, and I have a job offer in Zurich that I'm considering. I have researched on the forum, but I didn't find any comparative between the cost of living in both cities.

I would like to know where I would be better of financially with following figures:

Frankfurt:

- Gross: 60K € pa

- Net: 2800 € per month (health insurance already deducted)

Zurich:

- Gross: 90K CHF pa

- Net (estimation after paying the health insurance): 5500 CHF per month (~4500 €)

So before paying the bills I would have around 60% more in my pocket, looks good so far.

Now I'm going to compare the discretionary income (i.e. money you have after you've paid off all of your regular bills).

Frankfurt:

- Net: 2800 €

- Rent (1.5 apartment in the centre): 900 €

- Other normal expenses (food, gym, going out for dinner, clubbing): 700 €

- Discretionary income or savings: 1200 € per month

Zurich (obviously this is an estimation because I haven't lived there, correct me if it is wrong):

- Net: 5500 CHF

- Rent (1.5 apartment in the centre): 2000 CHF

- Other normal expenses (food, gym, going out for dinner, clubbing): 1500 CHF (calculated based on this site )

- Discretionary income or savings: 2000 CHF per month.

Therefore considering the cost of living I would be saving around 2000 CHF (~1600€) per month, which is about 30% more than in Frankfurt with the current exchange rate.

I'm 28-year-old and single, and yes a like going out often, lets say twice a week, so probably the normal expenses estimation is wrong

Can anyone give feedback on this estimation? did anyone in EF move from Frankfurt or other German city to Zurich?

Cheers,

Robert

2
My simple guide.

Convert to CHF , and then add 35%.

3
You have done a good calculation...it is quite perfect. But don't depend on Currency rates...right now the EUR is stronger again...it might not be tomorrow.

You have to see what is best for your career...and where you feel happy.

Zürich is a nice city but expensive. Also don't forget you will have a tough time finding a decent apartment.

I lived in Munich in the center and was paying 750€ as rent..here I am not getting an apartment for less than 2000 CHF.

Night out in Munich (Considered as most expensive city in Germany) with 5 beers, a club visit...and Kebap cost only around 40 € per night.

My last weekend...let me think...5 Beers @ 8 CHF = 40 CHF + Club 30 CHF + a Kebap + 10 CHF + 5 CHF Night tram Ticket = 85 CHF (70 €).

4
Hi, I think you've researched well but I don't think 90k a year will equate to 5500 chf a month. Will you have a 13th month salary?

Heres my break down...

90k = 7500 gross a month minus the following:-

AHV 5.05%

ALV 1.00%

Nichberufsunfall 1.15%

Krankentaggeld 2.15%

Pensionskasse Vollversicherung 8.50%

Tax at source approx 12%

As you can see thats about 30% deductions and with health insurance realistically 5000 net a month.

You can do the rest, good luck!

Stew

5
Agreed. As someone earning around the OP's gross figure, I would also say it's closer to 5k net rather than 5.5k.

I am also named Robert and 28 so I think we're onto something here. Are you me?

6
Sorry to disappoint, but you are him.

7
What do you mean with a 13th month salary? the bonus?

I divided my annual salary by 12, so as you indicated it would be 7500 CHF gross per month.

I my net estimation by using this site , which indicates that the net salary would be around 5800 CHF, and then I subtracted 300 CHF for the health insurance.

It seems that the website is not accurate at all

8
hahah, I don't think so.

9
frankfurt-plain ugly and germanys heroin/crack capital. dead on weekends, no nice surroundings, nothing to do, club scene boring.

zurich- beauty.

there you go

10
many companies (though less and less) will pay out a 13th salary. Usually the Swiss or the NOT taxed at source use this to pay taxes due. you get hald around June and half in december usually. so your paycheck is much bigger those 2 months

11
I domt know about the detailed breakdown, but the site is pretty accurate when comparing my net and gross. Forget about any exchange rate nonsense and don't compare the total values - exchange rates fluctuate rather wildly, as you may have noticed recently.

My educated guess is that you'll have more discretionary income in Frankfurt, but a nicer life down here. Don't forget to calculate travel costs for commuting - CHF 750 per year in Zurich for a tram pass.

12
Thanks for this information. I'm already assuming that going out will cost me double compare to Frankfurt, which is a bit cheaper that Munich.

I wonder how students can afford going out with such prices, how do they manage?

13
agree. (except for the surroundings.)

Concerning income, the rule of thumb is German income * 2 + 20%. So you should ask for something near 135k, not 90k.

14
My current salary gross is 77,000 a year and I take home 4700 a month after all deductions. My health insurance is 225 a month. I live in Canton Bern and Gemeinde Thun. I think 5300 to 5500 might be closer to the mark based on 90k.

15
I agree. I also live in Frankfurt and I usually spend around 60 € on Saturday night (some food, nightclub entrance and drinks). Well last Friday I went out in Zurich and I spent 130€, and I didn't even get drunk

I'd say that going out will cost you at least double than in Frankfurt.

16
is the nightlife in Frankfurt much better than in Zurich?

17
you have some nice clubs like u60311 and cocoon (sven väth ́s (ex?)club)

dunno if this one is still on but those two were very vibrant.

robert johnson is good in offenbach, outskirts of ffmain.

but it depends on what style of music n clubs youre after.

its the same variety more or less. whatevaaaa....ffmain sucks.

18
Hi,

I moved from London a few months ago and while I am happy here and think Zurich is a great city (a bit boring as expected and of course less lively but good people and nice, calmer, life , I am stunned on a daily basis on how expensive life is here. An average supermarket shopping is at least 40% more than London, a take away (average pizza) pizza for two is 42 CHF (!!!!), and this considering that I earn almost double than I was earning in London (considering also the cheaper taxes here). A glass of wine in a bar in teh centre is between 10 to 12 CHF, in London was twice the size and about 4 pounds....

I ́d suggest you try Zurich more for the carreer opportunity as opposed to the savings plan, I think at the end of the month you might be in the same position...and don ́t forget to ... Offen Halten Leave a back door open in Frankfurt just in case.... Hope this helps, and of xourse it is just my experience. Good luck!!

19

But it is all FX rate related. Two years ago when the exchange rate was different and 1 GBP bought 2.4 CHF was another story. At the time or before, who lived in London thought that the continent was extremely cheap (1 GBP = 1.50 EUR). In the end, it is about disposable income and what can you do with it.

20
The GBP/CHF fx rate has been below 2.00 for 3 years (Sept 08) and only briefly touched 2.40 in 2007.

Nevertheless, the cost of food and eating out here is outrageous at whatever fx rate you impose.....a (very average) main course chicken madras at 29 CHF in lausanne would still be £12 at the mythical 2.40 fx rate and £20 now. You would be pushed to pay £7 in London, and could eat yourself senseless for the same 29CHF equivalent.

Everything is 30-130% cheaper in the shops 15 miles away in France! Even Swiss goods!