What is the average monthly rent for a studio in Zurich? Does it differ for international students?

Updated date: 9. February 2024 | Author: Leonora Jensen
What is the average monthly rent for a studio in Zurich? Does it differ for international students?
What is the average monthly rent for a studio in Zurich? Does it differ for international students?

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When moving to Switzerland, many expats and students prefer to live in the largest city Zurich to be close to the vibrant centre with famous cultural highlights. Zurich is generally known to be a very expensive city, both for living costs and for rental costs. If you are thinking about moving there, you might be wondering “What is the average monthly rent for a studio in Zurich? Does it differ for international students”?. Here we will provide you with some insights into what you should expect to pay when renting a small apartment or studio in Zurich. 

In the last year the vacancy rate for apartments has been below the national average, proving how strained the housing market is, and that demand is much higher than supply. The average price for a 1 bedroom apartment in Zurich City Centre is around 1,900 Fr. It can be very difficult to find housing in the bigger cities in Switzerland such as Zurich because of the high prices. Zurich is ranked as one of the top most expensive cities together with Geneva. To rent a one-bedroom apartment or studio you must be prepared to pay between 1,800 and 2,000 Fr. Outside the centre of the city in Zurich the prices are generally lower, the average price for a 1 bedroom apartment is around 1,400 Fr. If you are a student or on a tight budget it can be a good idea to explore living a bit outside the city to save some money on rent. 

For international students there are usually several options to find an apartment to rent. The first thing to do is contact the school or university where you are going to study and hear what they can offer in terms of student accommodations. Many faculties offer student apartments to cheaper prices, or have student dorms or halls of residence available to rent on campus. Another way is to use social media and your network to join housing groups on Facebook and share with your friends that you are searching for a place to live. You can also contact many of the professional housing agencies and pay for help to find a rental apartment. It is also a good idea to search on housing pages online such as housingtarget.com, where all available rentals are collected in one place to make it easier to get an overview of the market.