Aussie traveller raves about the cost of living in Switzerland compared to Sydney – and you’ll never believe how cheap the rent is

An Australian mortgage broker has compared how much cheaper living in Switzerland would be compared to Sydney.

Quang Huynh claimed that Switzerland is a much more affordable place to live after learning about the costs during his trips there.

He said house prices, weekly rent, interest rates, groceries and public transport were much lower than in Sydney, but one thing was much more expensive: eating out.

Quang said property prices in Switzerland were “surprisingly” cheaper than in Sydney.

He saw an apartment for sale for just €210,000, equivalent to €345,800, and a two-storey house for €1.35 million or just over €2.2 million.

Sydney has the highest average property price of any Australian capital, valued at approximately $1.6 million in December 2023, an increase of 10.6 percent from a year earlier.

However, in the capital of New South Wales, it will rarely take $1.6 million to buy a detached home, let alone a two-storey house that often costs more than $2 million.

“Renting costs about $400 a week for a four-bedroom apartment and you can live close to the Swiss Alps, which is beautiful,” Quang added.

“Their transport is always on time, their trains are like Swiss watches.”

The financial guru took a 268 km train journey from Lucerne to Geneva, which cost him 50 Swiss francs or $83.

“As far as the lifestyle here goes, if you like hiking like I do, it’s relatively cheap to go to the Alps and see really pure snow,” Quang said.

Quang said house prices, weekly rent, interest rates, groceries and public transport were much lower than in Sydney, but eating in restaurants was much more expensive

“It’s like a winter wonderland here: the snow is fresh.”

One thing Quang found pricey in Switzerland was the cost of eating out. A dinner at a restaurant costs a whopping 50 Swiss francs, which is more than $250.

“However, if you decide to cook for yourself, food in Switzerland is relatively cheap compared to other European countries,” he said.

At the grocery store he found a large prepared salad for $13.40 and an entire Black Forest cake for just $5.

“Contrary to the common misconception that Switzerland is expensive, their McDonald’s is not that pricey… For 38 francs I got two children’s meals and two adult meals,” Quang said.

However, Quang’s order came to the equivalent of $63.75, while in Sydney CBD the same would only set guests back about $45.

‘Would I move from Sydney to Switzerland with a maximum of 12 percent tax on my gross income? It’s attractive, but I think it’s too cold,” he said.

He shared his findings in a TikTok video that divided viewers, some of whom were unconvinced that the cost of living in Switzerland is lower.

“I think the guy forgot to convert to Australian dollars,” one person joked, while another commented: “38 francs ($63AUD) for Maccas is a lot.”

“That’s similar once you do the conversion,” a third commented.

But others were impressed by prices in Switzerland, with one saying: ‘Time to move there’.

‘Very insightful! Thanks for sharing,” wrote a second.