Cost Of Living in Bern 2024
Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Bern
Whether you're living in Bern or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.
Average Monthly Expenditure6,200 CHF
per month$7,000480 CHF $540
$70,000 62,000 CHF
Single4,300 CHF
per month$4,8001,400 CHF $1,600
$32,000 29,000 CHF
Couple7,100 CHF
per month$8,0002,400 CHF $2,700
$43,000 38,000 CHF
Family9,500 CHF
per month$11,0003,300 CHF $3,800
$59,000 52,000 CHF
Student3,100 CHF
per month$3,4001,200 CHF $1,400
$6,200 5,500 CHF
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.
Singles
The average monthly expense for a single person living in Bern is 4,300 CHF. Expenses can range from 1,400 CHF at the minimum level to 29,000 CHF at the highest end.
Couples
The average monthly spending of couples in Bern is 7,100 CHF. Expenditure can range from 2,400 CHF to 38,000 CHF per month.
Families
The average cost of living for families in Bern is 9,500 CHF per month. Families spend anywhere from 3,300 CHF to 52,000 CHF.
Students
The average monthly expenditure for students in Bern is 3,100 CHF. Students spend from 1,200 CHF to 5,500 CHF per month.
Spending behavior can change drastically from one person to another. It is best to consider the minimum, average, and maximum spending together.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Bern
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Large bottle of water
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
Soda or Soft Drink
Cappuccino or latte Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
Loaf of bread | 0.80 CHF | 0.91 CHF | 1.1 CHF |
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Beef 1 kg or 1 lb
Rice 1 kg or 1 lb
Tomato 1 kg or 1 lb
Apples 1 kg or 1 lb Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price | 17,000 CHF | 33,000 CHF | 44,000 CHF |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Individual
Utility Bill - Couple | 120 CHF | 360 CHF | 1,900 CHF |
Utility Bill - Family | 100 CHF | 290 CHF | 1,600 CHF |
Internet and cable
Mobile phone charges Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
Woman dress
Woman shoes
Men's shoes
Men suit
Regular t-shirt Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment | 570 CHF | 850 CHF | 2,300 CHF |
1-bedroom apartment | 850 CHF | 1,400 CHF | 3,400 CHF |
2-bedroom apartment | 1,100 CHF | 1,700 CHF | 4,500 CHF |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment | 110,000 CHF | 170,000 CHF | 340,000 CHF |
| $130,000 | $190,000 | $380,000 |
1-bedroom apartment | 140,000 CHF | 230,000 CHF | 850,000 CHF |
| $150,000 | $260,000 | $960,000 |
2-bedroom apartment | 230,000 CHF | 680,000 CHF | 1.4M CHF |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed | 660 CHF | 830 CHF | 1,100 CHF |
Double Bed
Single Bed
Living Room | 740 CHF | 950 CHF | 3,300 CHF |
Dining Table
Sofa or Couch | 440 CHF | 600 CHF | 1,300 CHF |
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set | 440 CHF | 660 CHF | 1,300 CHF |
Fridge or Freezer
Washing Machine | 510 CHF | 740 CHF | 1,300 CHF |
Stove or Cooker
Mobile Phone
Laptop or Computer | 600 CHF | 740 CHF | 1,300 CHF |
Expenditure to Income Ratio in Bern
One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.
Spending to Income Ratio
80%
70% to 91%
( expenditure / income ) x 100
Expense to income distribution levels
| Spending To Income Ratio | % People |
|---|
| < 50% | 6% |
| 50% - 60% | 11% |
| 60% - 70% | 18% |
| 70% - 80% | 26% |
| 80% - 90% | 15% |
| 90% - 100% | 9% |
| 100% - 110% | 5% |
| 110% - 120% | 3% |
| 120% - 130% | 2% |
| 130% - 140% | 2% |
| > 140% | 1% |
Interpretation and Analysis
The average spending-to-salary ratio in Bern is 80%
This means that on average, people spend around 80% of their income for living.
According to the distribution table, 18% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.
How can spending be more than income?
A value higher than 100% means that the expenditure of those people is higher than their income. They are spending more than what they earn. This is possible in two scenarios. They are either borrowing from their savings to survive or they are borrowing from other sources (relatives, friends, banks, etc.). More about this in the debt section.
Individual
72%
Spending-Income-Ratio
63%
81%
Couple
76%
Spending-Income-Ratio
67%
86%
Family
84%
Spending-Income-Ratio
74%
95%
How do people spend their money in Bern?
We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.
The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.
Housing Expenditure27%
27% of total expenses on average (16% to 35%)
| LOW | $160 140 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $2,100 1,900 CHF |
| HIGH | $21,000 19,000 CHF |
| Per Month |
People living in Bern typically spend from 16% to 35% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 27% being the average. The average spend on housing is 1,900 CHF with expenditure ranging from 140 CHF to 19,000 CHF. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.
Utilities, Electricity, Water6%
6% of total expenses on average (3% to 10%)
| LOW | $27 24 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $350 310 CHF |
| HIGH | $3,500 3,100 CHF |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Bern ranges from 3% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 310 CHF with 24 CHF and 3,100 CHF being the upper and lower limits.
Transport, Fuel, Commute8%
8% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)
| LOW | $54 48 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $700 620 CHF |
| HIGH | $7,000 6,200 CHF |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 48 CHF to 6,200 CHF on commuting with 620 CHF being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 8% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 12%.
Food and Groceries Cost27%
27% of total expenses on average (19% to 33%)
| LOW | $130 120 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $1,700 1,500 CHF |
| HIGH | $17,000 15,000 CHF |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries in a month in Bern is 1,500 CHF. The cost of groceries can range between 120 CHF to 15,000 CHF. People spend on average about 27% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 19% and 33% respectively.
Healthcare and Medical Services9%
9% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)
| LOW | $38 33 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $490 430 CHF |
| HIGH | $4,900 4,300 CHF |
| Per Month |
People in Bern allocate 4% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 33 CHF to 4,300 CHF with 430 CHF being the norm.
Leisure and Shopping6%
6% of total expenses on average (3% to 10%)
| LOW | $21 19 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $280 250 CHF |
| HIGH | $2,800 2,500 CHF |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 19 CHF to 2,500 CHF with 250 CHF being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 3% to 10% of total expenses with an average of 6% for most residents.
Education and Schooling6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)
| LOW | $32 29 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $420 370 CHF |
| HIGH | $4,200 3,700 CHF |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 6% of the monthly expenditure with 4% and 12% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 370 CHF per month with 29 CHF being the minimum spent amount and 3,700 CHF being the maximum.
Other Expenses12%
12% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)
| LOW | $70 62 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $910 800 CHF |
| HIGH | $9,100 8,000 CHF |
| Per Month |
How much money can you save in Bern every month?
We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.
What percentage of people in Bern manage to save money from their income every month?
Almost 75% of the surveyed people in Bern said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 25% said that aren't saving anything.
Percentage of people saving money by population group in Bern
| Group | Savers | Non Savers |
|---|
| Singles | 75% | 25% |
| Couples | 70% | 30% |
| Families | 65% | 35% |
Savings-to-Income Ratio
The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
200 CHF
$230 | 2,600 CHF
$3,000 | 26,000 CHF
$30,000 |
For most people, 15% to 35% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 25% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 2,600 CHF on average with savings ranging from 200 CHF to 26,000 CHF.
75% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 70% of couples said the same. 65% of families confirmed their ability to save money.
How much money do people actually save in Bern?
The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.
Singles
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
610 CHF
$690 | 1,800 CHF
$2,100 | 12,000 CHF
$14,000 |
Savings to income distribution levels for singles
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Singles |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 29% |
| 10% - 20% | 23% |
| 20% - 30% | 16% |
| 30% - 40% | 16% |
| 40% - 50% | 12% |
| > 50% | 4% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 18% to 37% of their monthly income to savings, with 29% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 1,800 CHF with 610 CHF and 12,000 CHF being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Couples
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
1,000 CHF
$1,100 | 3,000 CHF
$3,400 | 16,000 CHF
$18,000 |
Savings to income distribution levels for couples
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Couples |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 33% |
| 10% - 20% | 25% |
| 20% - 30% | 19% |
| 30% - 40% | 11% |
| 40% - 50% | 9% |
| > 50% | 3% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 16% to 36% of their monthly income, with 27% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 3,000 CHF with 1,000 CHF and 16,000 CHF being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Families
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
1,400 CHF
$1,600 | 4,100 CHF
$4,600 | 22,000 CHF
$25,000 |
Savings to income distribution levels for families
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Families |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 36% |
| 10% - 20% | 28% |
| 20% - 30% | 20% |
| 30% - 40% | 8% |
| 40% - 50% | 6% |
| > 50% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Families in Bern can save anywhere between 14% to 32% of their monthly income, with 23% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 4,100 CHF with 1,400 CHF and 22,000 CHF being the minimum and maximum respectively.
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
Affordable living in Bern
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Bern?
Around 85% of surveyed residents think that living in Bern is affordable with proper budgeting while 15% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Low-cost alternatives in Bern
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options65%
Few low-cost options35%
Based on the survey, 65% of the people living in Bern have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 35% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Emergency Funds
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents of Bern whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes85%
No15%
Based on the survey, 15% of the people living in Bern said that they don't have an emergency fund while 85% said that they do.
Financial Literacy in Switzerland
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy80%
We asked residents of Switzerland whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 20% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 80% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether residents of Switzerland have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so asked the people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 10% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 90% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance10%
Easily manages finances90%
Financial goals of people in Bern
In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Bern, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.
| Financial Goal | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Fund | 7% |
| Debt Reduction | 33% |
| Retirement Savings | 8% |
| Education Funding | 8% |
| Homeownership | 17% |
| Investing | 9% |
| Travel or Lifestyle | 11% |
| Healthcare Expenses | 9% |
| Financial Independence | 8% |
Around 7% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 33% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 8% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 9% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 11% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 9% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.
Saving Challenges in Bern
Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money
We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Bern. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.
| Reason | % People |
|---|
| Low Income | 6% |
| High Expenses | 9% |
| Debt and Loans | 18% |
| Lack of Budgeting Skills | 10% |
| Impulsive Spending | 9% |
| Financial Emergencies | 6% |
| Living the moment | 7% |
| Will do it later | 17% |
| Inflation | 11% |
| Social Pressure | 3% |
| Market Instability | 3% |
Around 6% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 18% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 10% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 9% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 7% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 17% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 11% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or societal expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.
Typical saving choices for people in Bern
Where do people choose to put their savings?
| Saving Type | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Funds | 11% |
| Gold | 10% |
| Savings Accounts | 17% |
| Retirement Accounts | 11% |
| Cash Savings | 16% |
| Real Estate | 10% |
| Investment | 6% |
| Stocks | 6% |
| Bonds | 6% |
| Mutual Funds | 3% |
| Certificates of Deposit | 3% |
Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Bern
What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Bern and how much retirement savings are required?
Retirement age
The retirement age for most employees in Switzerland is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.
Retirement planning and savings
There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.
The typical saved amount of money you should have at every age as multiples of monthly salary:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 5x monthly salary at age 25 |
| 30 | 10x monthly salary at age 30 |
| 35 | 15x monthly salary at age 35 |
| 40 | 25x monthly salary at age 40 |
| 45 | 32x monthly salary at age 45 |
| 50 | 48x monthly salary at age 50 |
| 55 | 56x monthly salary at age 55 |
| 60 | 64x monthly salary at age 60 |
| 65 | 78x monthly salary at age 65 |
The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in Bern:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 18,000 CHF |
| 30 | 35,000 CHF |
| 35 | 62,000 CHF |
| 40 | 88,000 CHF |
| 45 | 130,000 CHF |
| 50 | 190,000 CHF |
| 55 | 220,000 CHF |
| 60 | 270,000 CHF |
| 65 | 330,000 CHF |
Retirement Income Distribution
We asked residents of Bern about their retirement income sources and below are the results.
| Source | % People |
|---|
| Pensions | 13% |
| Savings | 22% |
| Investments | 13% |
| Social Security | 8% |
| Annuities | 8% |
| Part-time Job | 10% |
| Real Estate | 17% |
| Dividends and Interest | 8% |
Retirement Monthly Expenses in Bern 1,000 CHF
$1,100 | 3,100 CHF
$3,400 | 20,000 CHF
$23,000 |
Debt, loans, and mortgages in Bern
Percentage of people who are in debt
According to the survey, 20% of the people in Bern have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 80% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.
Debt-to-income ratio in Bern
Debt to income ratio
25%
15% to 35%
( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100
Interpretation
The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 25% of the people's monthly income in Bern goes to debt settlement.
Debt levelsMonthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income
| Debt-to-income ratio | % People |
|---|
| > 60% | 3% |
| 50% - 60% | 11% |
| 40% - 50% | 11% |
| 30% - 40% | 13% |
| 20% - 30% | 15% |
| 10% - 20% | 19% |
| 0% - 10% | 28% |
According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Bern pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 11% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 11% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 13% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 15% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.
Distribution by type of debt in Bern
| Debt | % People |
|---|
| Real Estate Mortgage | 13% |
| Auto Loan | 23% |
| Student Loan | 3% |
| Credit Card | 25% |
| Personal Loan | 36% |
13% of debtors in Bern confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 25% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 23% of people and personal loans rose at 36%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Bern.
About credit score and debt managementManaging debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.
Good debt vs. Bad debt
Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.
Loan Affordability Index in Bern
Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Bern how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.
Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.
| Frequency | % People |
|---|
| Never | 55% |
| Once a year | 22% |
| Twice a year | 11% |
| Three times a year | 8% |
| Four times a year | 4% |
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Bern
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Bern
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment | 570 CHF | 850 CHF | 2,300 CHF |
1-bedroom apartment | 850 CHF | 1,400 CHF | 3,400 CHF |
2-bedroom apartment | 1,100 CHF | 1,700 CHF | 4,500 CHF |
3-bedroom apartment | 1,400 CHF | 2,300 CHF | 6,200 CHF |
Furnished apartment | 2,700 CHF | 6,800 CHF | 14,000 CHF |
Townhouse | 2,300 CHF | 3,400 CHF | 9,700 CHF |
House | 2,700 CHF | 6,800 CHF | 14,000 CHF |
Villa | 3,400 CHF | 8,500 CHF | 14,000 CHF |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Bern ranges between 570 CHF and 2,300 CHF, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 850 CHF to 3,400 CHF. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 1,100 CHF and 4,500 CHF per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 1,400 CHF to 6,200 CHF. The average rent of a townhouse in Bern is around 3,400 CHF while house rental costs can be as high as 6,800 CHF per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 3,400 CHF to 14,000 CHF per month.
Apartment and house prices in Bern
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment | 110,000 CHF | 170,000 CHF | 340,000 CHF |
| $130,000 | $190,000 | $380,000 |
1-bedroom apartment | 140,000 CHF | 230,000 CHF | 850,000 CHF |
| $150,000 | $260,000 | $960,000 |
2-bedroom apartment | 230,000 CHF | 680,000 CHF | 1.4M CHF |
3-bedroom apartment | 750,000 CHF | 1.1M CHF | 3.4M CHF |
Townhouse | 970,000 CHF | 2.3M CHF | 8.5M CHF |
House | 1.1M CHF | 6.8M CHF | 9.7M CHF |
Villa | 1.4M CHF | 7.5M CHF | 11M CHF |
The average price of a studio apartment in Bern can range from 110,000 CHF to 340,000 CHF depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 140,000 CHF to 850,000 CHF. A villa can cost you 7.5M CHF on average with prices ranging from 1.4M CHF to 11M CHF.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Bern will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 50 | x151 monthly income | 231 |
Property prices in Bern can be x151 to x231 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x151 multiples of the average monthly salary in Bern.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Bern is around 35%. This means that people pay 35% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 25% to 45% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
33% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
| 9.5 CHF | 120 CHF | 1,200 CHF |
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
SingleSpending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Bern
Housing33%
33% of total expenses on average (21% to 45%)
| LOW | $580 510 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $1,700 1,500 CHF |
| HIGH | $12,000 10,000 CHF |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water7%
7% of total expenses on average (3% to 12%)
| LOW | $97 86 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $290 260 CHF |
| HIGH | $1,900 1,700 CHF |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)
| LOW | $130 110 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $390 340 CHF |
| HIGH | $2,600 2,300 CHF |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries18%
18% of total expenses on average (12% to 23%)
| LOW | $260 230 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $770 680 CHF |
| HIGH | $5,100 4,600 CHF |
| Per Month |
Healthcare11%
11% of total expenses on average (5% to 15%)
| LOW | $140 130 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $430 380 CHF |
| HIGH | $2,900 2,600 CHF |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (3% to 7%)
| LOW | $80 71 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $240 210 CHF |
| HIGH | $1,600 1,400 CHF |
| Per Month |
Education2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 4%)
| LOW | $32 29 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $97 86 CHF |
| HIGH | $640 570 CHF |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses20%
20% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $290 260 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $870 770 CHF |
| HIGH | $5,800 5,100 CHF |
| Per Month |
CoupleAverage monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Bern
Housing30%
30% of total expenses on average (23% to 40%)
| LOW | $880 780 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $2,700 2,400 CHF |
| HIGH | $14,000 13,000 CHF |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 10%)
| LOW | $130 120 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $400 360 CHF |
| HIGH | $2,100 1,900 CHF |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel10%
10% of total expenses on average (4% to 15%)
| LOW | $320 290 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $970 860 CHF |
| HIGH | $5,100 4,600 CHF |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries16%
16% of total expenses on average (11% to 21%)
| LOW | $380 330 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $1,100 1,000 CHF |
| HIGH | $6,000 5,300 CHF |
| Per Month |
Healthcare13%
13% of total expenses on average (7% to 17%)
| LOW | $290 260 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $880 780 CHF |
| HIGH | $4,700 4,200 CHF |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping5%
5% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)
| LOW | $160 140 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $480 430 CHF |
| HIGH | $2,600 2,300 CHF |
| Per Month |
Education2%
2% of total expenses on average (1% to 4%)
| LOW | $54 48 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $160 140 CHF |
| HIGH | $860 760 CHF |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses19%
19% of total expenses on average (13% to 25%)
| LOW | $460 400 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $1,400 1,200 CHF |
| HIGH | $7,300 6,500 CHF |
| Per Month |
FamilyAverage monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Bern
Housing29%
29% of total expenses on average (24% to 39%)
| LOW | $1,200 1,100 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $3,400 3,000 CHF |
| HIGH | $19,000 17,000 CHF |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 8%)
| LOW | $300 270 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $860 760 CHF |
| HIGH | $4,700 4,200 CHF |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries20%
20% of total expenses on average (13% to 26%)
| LOW | $680 600 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $1,900 1,700 CHF |
| HIGH | $11,000 9,400 CHF |
| Per Month |
Healthcare10%
10% of total expenses on average (6% to 15%)
| LOW | $300 270 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $860 760 CHF |
| HIGH | $4,700 4,200 CHF |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)
| LOW | $190 170 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $540 480 CHF |
| HIGH | $2,900 2,600 CHF |
| Per Month |
Education14%
14% of total expenses on average (7% to 22%)
| LOW | $530 470 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $1,500 1,300 CHF |
| HIGH | $8,300 7,300 CHF |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses14%
14% of total expenses on average (7% to 19%)
| LOW | $450 400 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $1,300 1,100 CHF |
| HIGH | $7,100 6,300 CHF |
| Per Month |
StudentCost of living and expenses break down for students living in Bern
Housing21%
21% of total expenses on average (16% to 27%)
| LOW | $330 290 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $830 730 CHF |
| HIGH | $1,500 1,300 CHF |
| Per Month |
Utilities, Electricity, Water5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 9%)
| LOW | $55 49 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $140 120 CHF |
| HIGH | $250 220 CHF |
| Per Month |
Transport, Fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $96 85 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $240 210 CHF |
| HIGH | $430 380 CHF |
| Per Month |
Food and Groceries22%
22% of total expenses on average (16% to 26%)
| LOW | $280 240 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $690 610 CHF |
| HIGH | $1,200 1,100 CHF |
| Per Month |
Healthcare8%
8% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
| LOW | $83 73 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $210 180 CHF |
| HIGH | $370 330 CHF |
| Per Month |
Leisure, Shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)
| LOW | $69 61 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $170 150 CHF |
| HIGH | $310 270 CHF |
| Per Month |
Education19%
19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
| LOW | $260 230 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $650 580 CHF |
| HIGH | $1,200 1,000 CHF |
| Per Month |
Other Expenses17%
17% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
| LOW | $210 180 CHF |
| AVERAGE | $520 460 CHF |
| HIGH | $930 820 CHF |
| Per Month |
