Moving to Lausanne? 2025 Living Costs & Relocation Tips

Lausanne is Switzerland’s fifth-largest city, and sits on the north shore of Lake Geneva, with magnificent views of the Alps. The city is home to 12th-century architecture in the form of a Gothic cathedral, as well as being home to the International Olympic Committee headquarters.

If you are considering moving to Lausanne, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in this beautiful spot of land.

Quick Lausanne Facts:

Population: 270,900 (2020). The entire metro area has approximately 420,000 (2015) inhabitants.
Official Language: French (de facto) with many other languages being spoken at home, including English, Swiss-German, German, French, Italian, Romansch, Polish, Russian and many others.
GDP Per Capita: $71,500 (2020 estimate)
Coco Chanel: Coco Chanel escaped to Lausanne during World War II. She went back to Paris after the war but requested that she be buried in Lausanne – which she is.
Currency: Swiss Franc or CHF. As of early 2023, $1 USD = 0.94 CHF, €1 EUR = 0.99 CHF, $1 CAD = 0.69 CHF, $1 AUD = 0.63 CHF

Sections

1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Lausanne

The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from some of the largest global cities, and shipping it to Lausanne:

Origin City	20FT	40FT
Beijing	$3,900 - $4,000	$7,000 - $7,200
Berlin	$2,600 - $2,700	$4,900 - $5,100
Chicago	$3,500 - $3,600	$6,300 - $6,500
Chongqing	$4,000 - $4,100	$7,100 - $7,300
Delhi	$3,650 - $3,750	$6,650 - $6,850
Dubai	$3,100 - $3,200	$5,700 - $5,900
Houston	$3,550 - $3,650	$6,350 - $6,550
Los Angeles	$3,550 - $3,650	$6,350 - $6,550
Madrid	$2,700 - $2,800	$4,900 - $5,100
New York City	$3,400 - $3,500	$6,200 - $6,400
Paris	$2,550 - $2,650	$4,800 - $5,000
Phoenix	$3,550 - $3,650	$6,350 - $6,550
Rome	$2,700 - $2,800	$4,900 - $5,100
Shanghai	$4,050 - $4,150	$7,100 - $7,300
Sydney Australia	$4,100 - $4,200	$7,200 - $7,400
Toronto	$3,500 - $3,600	$6,300 - $6,500
Vancouver	$3,550 - $3,650	$6,350 - $6,550
Vienna	$2,600 - $2,700	$4,850 - $5,050

All figures are in USD;
The rates above are estimates only and may have changed since the time this article was updated (October 2024). They are based on the lowest estimated rate from sites such as Freightos, Flexport, or Maersk;
To get a more accurate idea of the cost for you, please use the quote form at the top of this page;
Please also see our guide to international container shipping.

2. Lausanne Housing Costs

House and flat prices in Lausanne are cheaper than in Zurich and Geneva but they are still quite pricey compared with many other major cities around the world. Prices obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will indicate what’s available at what price.

Monthly Rental Prices in Lausanne:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: CHF 1,500+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: CHF 1,260+
3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: CHF 3,100+
3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: CHF 2,570+

Lausanne Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: CHF 13,750+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: CHF 10,100+

Lausanne Housing Cost Comparison:

This is how rents in Lausanne compare with other cities around the globe.

London is 23.2% more expensive
New York is 47.6% more expensive
Los Angeles is 28.4% more expensive
Toronto is 9.1% cheaper
Vancouver is 1.1% cheaper
Sydney is 7% more expensive
Melbourne is 31.2% cheaper
Paris is 19.9% cheaper
Dubai is 9.6% cheaper

Source: Numbeo

How to Save on Housing Costs:

Share a Flat or House: Like any city in the world with such high rental costs, flat and house sharing in Lausanne is very popular. With a house/flat share you will have your own room, or, for a cheaper option, you can share a room. The bathroom/s will be shared with other people in the house/flat. Have a look on RoomLaLa, Comparis, Just Landed and Erasmusu and find someone you can get on with to share the costs with you.
Different Areas – Different Prices: Like all cities, Lausanne has its expensive and cheaper areas, although nowhere is cheap. It’s a beautiful city, set in a hilly landscape with lakeside beach areas. The most popular expat neighbourhoods for housing/apartments are Sous Gare, Ouchy, the city centre or Old Town (Cité, Flon, Riponne/Tunnel, Chauderon), Montchoisi, Maupa and Chailly. Ouchy is expensive as it’s on the harbour with amazing views across the lake. Sous Gare is mainly a residential area with apartments and is more affordable.

3. Lausanne Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs

Lausanne has a wide selection of both traditional Swiss and international restaurants. If you are a dog owner, you will have the added bonus of being able to take your dog into many cafes and restaurants.

Inexpensive Restaurant: CHF 25.00 – CHF 30.00
Takeout Coffee: CHF 4.80 – CHF 5.00
Bottle of Coke: CHF 4.00 – CHF 5.00
1L of Milk: CHF 1.60 – CHF 2.00
Loaf of Bread: CHF 2.60 – CHF 3.40
12 Eggs: CHF 6.10 – CHF 8.00
1kg Chicken: CHF 25.00 – CHF 33.00
1kg Beef: CHF 50.00 – CHF 54.00
1kg Apples: CHF 4.00 – CHF 4.50
1kg White Rice: CHF 3.20 – CHF 3.50

This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other major cities in the world.

New York restaurants are 10.9% cheaper and groceries are 16.6% cheaper than Lausanne.
Los Angeles restaurants are 22.6% cheaper and groceries are 52.5% cheaper than Lausanne.
London restaurants are 37.2% cheaper and groceries are 107.7% cheaper than Lausanne.
Toronto restaurants are 49.5% cheaper and groceries are 72.9% cheaper than Lausanne.
Vancouver restaurants are 53.4% cheaper and groceries are 65.4% cheaper than Lausanne.
Sydney restaurants are 42.9% cheaper and groceries are 48.5% more expensive than Lausanne.
Melbourne restaurants are 48.5% cheaper and groceries are 47.3% cheaper than Lausanne.
Paris restaurants are 57.5% cheaper and groceries are 53.4% cheaper than Lausanne.
Dubai restaurants are 55.7% cheaper and groceries are 138.2% cheaper than Lausanne.

Source: Numbeo

Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries:

Know Your Supermarkets: Manor Supermarkets are generally the most expensive supermarkets, where you’ll find exclusive, luxury goods. Migros is Switzerland’s largest supermarket chain and, together with Coop and Volg forms the middle of the road when it comes to prices. Denner is Switzerland’s third-largest supermarket chain and is also reasonably priced. Aldi, Lidl and Spar are the cheapest supermarkets in Switzerland. Every Wednesday and Saturday, the centre of Lausanne is home to a tantalising farmers’ market. It sells local produce, speciality food, fresh fruit and veg and lots of organic produce.
Find Cheap Eats: Timeout has suggestions, but remember that eating out in Switzerland is never cheap.

4. Lausanne Alcohol Costs

Lausanne has a great selection of bars and nightclubs. The following is a list of basic prices of beer and wine from the supermarket and restaurants.

Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: CHF 8.00 – CHF 8.50
Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: CHF 6.20 – CHF 8.50
Pint (0.6L) domestic beer at a supermarket: CHF 2.70 – CHF 3.00
Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: CHF 3.20 – CHF 4.00
Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: CHF 14.00 – CHF 15.00

How To Drink For Less in Lausanne:

Keep an eye on the local papers and websites for specials over weekends and public holidays.
Yelp has a few suggestions for finding cheaper drinks in Lausanne. Unfortunately, Happy Hour isn’t a Swiss tradition.
Scour the areas around the university and other tertiary institutions to find the best alcohol deals.

5. Lausanne Transportation Fares

Lausanne is rightfully proud of its rapid transport system with its 28 stations. Other public transport in the city includes buses and trolleybuses, and commuter trains connecting the city with other cities within Switzerland and other countries. It is an efficient and well-run system, where trains, buses and trolleybuses always arrive on time.

Here are some example ticket costs.

Adult Single – CHF 3.70
Day Ticket – CHF 6.00
Monthly season ticket for bus, tram and train – CHF 75.00

How To Save Money on Public Transport:

Buy a bike. There is a good system of cycle lanes all around the city and many people cycle to work and school.
Walk. The city is not that big and exercise is always good.
If you are staying in a hotel, backpackers or even a campsite, you are entitled to a free transport pass for the duration of your stay.

6. Cost of Internet in Lausanne

Here are some sample broadband internet prices from early 2023 for unlimited downloads, based on a 12-month contract:

Sunrise: 49.90 CHF a month (Fiber broadband, up to 1GB of data)

7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure

Like most people in Switzerland, those living in Lausanne are constantly talking about the summer and it’s certainly worth waiting for. The hottest month is July with an average high of 24.4°C. January is the coldest month with an average high of 4.4°C and an average low of 0.3°C. The wettest month is September, with an average of 114mm falling during the month.

Like most places in Switzerland, rain is always a possibility, so it’s wise to carry an umbrella or a fold-up waterproof jacket.

Here are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.

Pair of Jeans: CHF 110.00 – CHF 150.00
Summer Dress: CHF 40.00 – CHF 60.00
Running Shoes (Trainers): CHF 120.00 – CHF 160.00
Business Shoes: CHF 180.00 – CHF 200.00
Short Doctor’s Visit (15 mins): CHF 100.00
Deodorant: CHF 6.00
Shampoo: CHF 6.50
Toilet Paper (4 rolls): CHF 4.50
Gym Membership: CHF 75.00 – CHF 125.00 per month
Movie (cinema) Ticket: CHF 17.00 – CHF 20.00

Source: Numbeo and Expatistan

8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Lausanne

Everyone in Switzerland drives on the right. Driving in Lausanne is not a problem as long as you avoid peak hours and obey the rules of the road. Fines are very high and the traffic police and parking attendants are very vigilant.

If you’re moving to Lausanne from within Switzerland, you’ll be able to keep your licence but need to update your address to your new Lausanne one. You can drive on a foreign licence for 12 months, after that you will need to obtain a Swiss license. Your foreign licence must be in either English, French, German or Italian. If it isn’t, then you either need a translation or an International Driver’s Licence. People from the EU/EEA don’t need to take a test to get their Swiss Licence.

Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Lausanne:

Volkswagen Golf: CHF 36,500+
1 litre (¼ gallon) of Gas (petrol): CHF 1.98
Registration Fee (if any): Varies from Canton to Canton and also depends on the vehicle
Motorway Fee: CHF 40.00 per annum
Other Fees (if any): MOT every four years. Price varies from Canton to Canton and vehicle to vehicle.

Source: Expatistan, CH

Ways To Save Money on Driving in Lausanne:

Car sharing or pooling is one way to save money. Try Mobility and eCarpooling.
Taxis can sometimes be a cheaper option, especially if you are going to have to park all day. Try Uber.

9. Taxes in Lausanne

No matter where you live in Switzerland, you will pay the same rate of tax. Sales Tax is 8% in Switzerland and is added to most goods and services throughout the country. Unlike in some countries, it is always included in the marked price.

Whether you own or rent your home, you will be subject to council tax based on the area in which you live and the size of the property you live in. Switzerland has a complex system where areas of a city with wealthy residents and commercial areas often pay lower taxes than areas whose residents earn an average income.

Finally, if you decide to buy a flat or house in Lausanne you should expect to pay 5% of the sale price to pay fees – 0.2 – 1% notary fees, 0.3 – 3% property transfer tax and 1 – 1.5% for registering the property deed.

10. Flight Costs from Lausanne

If you do make the move to Lausanne, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023. Please note that these flights are to Geneva:

New York: CHF 217
Los Angeles: CHF 336
London: CHF 27
Paris: CHF 31
Toronto: CHF 307
Vancouver: CHF 785
Dubai: CHF 231
Sydney: CHF 570
Melbourne: CHF 670
Cape Town: CHF 389
Hong Kong: CHF 480

Other Tips on Moving to Lausanne:

The costs and pricing above should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Lausanne but perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.

11. Moving to Lausanne Alone

Moving anywhere can be a lonely experience, but moving to a new city can be rather daunting. Here are a few tips about settling into Lausanne.

Meetups: Lausanne has lots of free meetup groups you can find on Meetup. Find groups that do what you love, such as Game Developers, Lausanne Yoga, Museomix, Toastmasters, Knitting in Lausanne and many more.
Attend Local Events: There are always events going on in Lausanne at any given time. Find out what’s happening from Lausanne Tourism and Glocals.

12. Moving to Lausanne with a Family

Lausanne is a fun city for families. It has a youthful population due to the high number of students in the city. Its history is long and interesting, with plenty of historic sites and museums to visit. The lake is the centre of entertainment during the summer months. Here’s some extra food for thought.

New Parents (or parents to be): Check out Expat Parent.
Live in a Family-friendly Area: Like all of Switzerland, Lausanne is a family-friendly city, with excellent public and private schools, both day and boarding. The majority of accommodation in the city is in apartments and houses are not only in short supply, but they are also very expensive. The most popular areas for expat families are Sous Gare, Ouchy, Montchoisi, Maupa and Chailly.
Find Things To Do With The Kids: Trip Hobo, Travel for Kids, Timeout and Lausanne for Families all have great ideas for activities and events your kids will love.

13. Moving to Lausanne for Work

Moving to Lausanne for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. Speaking another language, French or German, is a must for securing a job, as most Swiss nationals speak at least two languages. Most people already have a job when they move to Switzerland, as acquiring a residence permit is almost impossible without one. Lausanne, like all of Switzerland, has very high professional standards in all spheres of work. There are a lot of opportunities in the service industry, light manufacturing and publishing. The main employers in the city are those in the financial sector. International companies, such as KPMG, Siemens, PWC, Ernst and Young, all have their headquarters in Lausanne.

Here are a few things to consider when moving for work:

Salary: Salaries in Lausanne are high. The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea of how much more you’ll want to make to ensure your move is worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale.
How to Find Work: To find a job before you move to Lausanne, have a look on the following sites: Xpatjobs and Experis. You may also want to Google recruiters in your industry, as they can often help land you some initial interviews as well.

14. Moving to Lausanne from Australia

There are a number of Australians living in Lausanne. If you are considering joining them, here are a few added pointers.

Size Comparison: If you compare the population size of the city of Lausanne with a town in Australia, you’d be looking at Geelong. If you look at the population of the whole Lausanne metropolitan area, then you’d be looking at Newcastle.
Join Expat Groups: Both InterNations and Meetup offer ways of meeting up with other Australians in Lausanne.

15. Moving to Lausanne from Canada

Quite a few Canadians are living in Lausanne. If you’re considering making the move from Canada here are a few things to consider.

Size Comparison: Lausanne’s population in the city proper is around the same as St. John’s and its metro population is around the same as London.
Expat Groups: InterNations and Expat.com will give you a chance to meet other Canadians already living and working in Lausanne.

16. Moving to Lausanne from the United States

There’s a fairly large American contingent living in Lausanne. If you’re considering moving to Lausanne, here are a few bonus tips:

Size Comparison: Lausanne’s population is roughly the same as Mobile, Alabama, although the metro area has the same number of people as Colorado Springs.
Expat Groups: InterNations and Americans Welcome will introduce you to fellow Americans already living and working in Lausanne, helping you to settle in with ease.

17. Moving to Lausanne from the United Kingdom

Brits love Switzerland, so you’ll find a large group already living and working in the city. If you’re considering moving to Lausanne, here are a few bonus tips:

Size: If you compare the population size of Lausanne with a city in the UK, you’d be looking at Portsmouth. The population of the metropolitan area of Lausanne is the same as that of Edinburgh.
Expat Groups: InterNations and Expat.com offer opportunities for you to meet fellow Brits already living in Lausanne.

Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Lausanne you can start by comparing moving quotes here.