Calculator
Baseline note:
Zurich is expensive. UZH publishes a minimum student living budget of CHF 2,200 per month, while ETH/UZH guidance commonly places total living costs around CHF 2,000–2,200 per month. ETH also notes shared-room rents of roughly CHF 800–1,000 per month, while WOKO Zurich listings show some student rooms in lower and higher ranges depending on building and location. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Monthly expenses
Room, studio, or shared flat.
Electricity, heating, internet, etc.
Groceries plus occasional cheap meals.
ZVV, SBB, or bike-related costs.
Monthly insurance premium.
SIM, mobile plan, or prepaid.
Textbooks, printing, supplies.
Fitness, drinks, outings, etc.
Clothes, emergencies, subscriptions.
Converted automatically into a monthly amount.
Usually 6 months for a standard estimate.
Permits, travel, deposits, or extra university costs.
Results
Monthly total
CHF 0
Yearly total
CHF 0
Housing share
Tuition share
Budget breakdown
| Category | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | CHF 0 | CHF 0 |
| Utilities | CHF 0 | CHF 0 |
| Food | CHF 0 | CHF 0 |
| Transport | CHF 0 | CHF 0 |
| Health insurance | CHF 0 | CHF 0 |
| Phone & data | CHF 0 | CHF 0 |
| Books & study | CHF 0 | CHF 0 |
| Leisure | CHF 0 | CHF 0 |
| Other | CHF 0 | CHF 0 |
| Tuition | CHF 0 | CHF 0 |
| One-off costs | CHF 0 | CHF 0 |
| Total | CHF 0 | CHF 0 |
Zurich student budget guidance
The calculator is set up around the budget levels published by UZH and ETH. UZH says students should have about CHF 2,200 per month at minimum, while ETH/UZH pages commonly describe total living costs around CHF 2,000–2,200 per month. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- Frugal: shared room, lower leisure spending, careful groceries.
- Standard: common student budget for Zurich.
- Comfortable: more private housing and extra flexibility.
Housing often dominates the budget.
ETH’s accommodation guidance notes shared-room costs around CHF 800–1,000 per month, and WOKO Zurich listings show student rooms can vary widely by property and location. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Tip: If your monthly total is below CHF 1,750, your estimate is very lean for Zurich; if it is around CHF 2,200, that matches UZH’s minimum benchmark; if it is above that, you are in a more comfortable zone. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Common ways to lower your costs
- Choose a shared flat instead of a studio.
- Look for WOKO or other student housing first.
- Cook at home and use student cafeterias when possible.
- Use ZVV/SBB passes instead of buying single tickets every day.
- Keep entertainment and subscriptions under control.
- Consider housing outside the city if commuting is practical.