Europe: the dream trip of many Americans is a continent full of beautiful cities, history, culture and high levels of quality of life. But all of this comes at a price, and in some places, it can be quite salty. So if you are thinking of traveling or living on the old continent and want to know which cities are the most expensive in Europe , read on.
Discover the 12 most expensive cities in Europe
The European continent is immense, with 50 countries and many differences between them. And if you thought that Switzerland is one of the most expensive places in this desired part of the world, you were right. The country has 5 out of the 12 cities with the highest cost of living in the ranking. But there are still other places that can be very expensive to live.
Check out the 12 most expensive cities in Europe below according to the Expatistan cost of living index .
1. Zurich, Switzerland
As we have already said, Switzerland reigns supreme, so it would be no different to expect Zurich, one of the main cities in the country, to be in first place as the most expensive city in Europe. With a rich history and many museums, in addition to its centrality in Europe and its proximity to the famous Swiss Alps , Zurich is often a popular stop on a European adventure. However, this adventure is unlikely to come cheap. Despite its high prices, the country is one of the most beautiful in the world and worth visiting, even if only for a few days.
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business corner | €19 |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 furnished studio in the normal area | €1055 |
| Monthly public transport | €58 |
2. Geneva, Switzerland
There is no doubt that Geneva is beautiful, but there is also no doubt that it is incredibly expensive, even by European standards.
Gateway to the Alps, Geneva, the second Swiss city on the list, is considered a peaceful paradise by the lake. Cradle of watchmaking and home to the largest Swiss chocolate makers, the city promises an original stay and a wide variety of experiences that make your pockets hurt.
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business corner | €22 |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 furnished studio in the normal area | €990 |
| Monthly public transport | €44 |
3. Basel, Switzerland
Basel is the third largest city in Switzerland and is known for its high quality of life. It is an extremely multicultural, peaceful and pleasant place to live, with great infrastructure, transport, education and health. Its main characteristics, in addition to the beauty of the natural landscapes, are the cultural scene, with the Basel Symphony Orchestra and the Basel Chamber Orchestra.
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business corner | €17 |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 furnished studio in the normal area | €692 |
| Monthly public transport | €59 |
4. Lausanne, Switzerland
Located in French Switzerland, the city of Lausanne, divided between Upper and Lower City, is pure elegance and quality of life. It is there that the largest Gothic building in the country is located, the Lausanne Cathedral and green gardens that become an unmissable attraction in the spring, along with the tour of its main lake, Léman.
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business corner | €16 |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 furnished studio in the normal area | €823 |
| Monthly public transport | €54 |
If you are thinking of living in Switzerland , stay up to date with more detailed information about the cost of living and the best cities to live.
5. London, United Kingdom
Going north and moving a little away from Switzerland, London carries the reputation of an expensive, extremely expensive city, and this is not just speculation. With one of the most valued currencies in the world, the pound sterling, the land of Big Ben does in fact have a higher cost of living, especially for Brazilians. This is mainly due to housing costs, which surpass several other capitals in the world, such as New York, Paris and Sydney.
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business corner | €12 |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 furnished studio in the normal area | €1063 |
| Monthly public transport | €126 |
6. Reykjavik, Iceland
As one of the most exclusive and remote travel destinations, the city of Reykjavik, the capital and heart of Iceland, is known not only for its spectacular views, but also for always being on the list of the most expensive cities in Europe.
Due to its location and Nordic climate, many products have to be imported, which makes food more expensive. In addition, the value of housing also tends to be quite high.
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business corner | €15 |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 furnished studio in the normal area | €848 |
| Monthly public transport | €70 |
7. Lugano, Switzerland
Located on the Italian border, the elegant city of Lugano is in the area of the lake of the same name and has wonderful architecture, picturesque parks and many (luxury) shops, restaurants and hotels. Lugano also stands out as one of the main shopping and banking centers in Switzerland. But all this pomp comes at a genuinely Swiss price.
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business corner | €17 |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 furnished studio in the normal area | €752 |
| Monthly public transport | €38 |
8. Oslo, Norway
The Norway and Oslo, specifically, are praised for their quality of extremely high life, constantly on top of European cities. But generally, high quality of life equates to general inflated costs, and in Oslo this is no exception.
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business corner | €16 |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 furnished studio in the normal area | €964 |
| Monthly public transport | €57 |
9. Dublin, Ireland
Dublin , the capital of Ireland is one of the most popular destinations among Brazilians looking for Europe for an exchange. Also known for its lively nightlife and proximity to Ireland’s stunning natural landscapes, the city has its captive place among the most expensive in Europe, largely due to the above average accommodation prices.
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business corner | €10 |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 furnished studio in the normal area | €901 |
| Monthly public transport | €94 |
10. Copenhagen, Denmark
The capital of Denmark has been a popular tourist destination for several years. Unfortunately for budget-conscious travelers, however, visits are short-lived. Copenhagen ranks first in the quality of life index for northern Europe and, as a direct correlation, there is a very high cost of living.
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business corner | €14 |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 furnished studio in the normal area | €869 |
| Monthly public transport | €48 |
11. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam has many things to be proud of, from its world-class museums to its nightlife and intertwined canals. But one of the disadvantages of this incredible Dutch city, however, is its ability to accommodate budget travelers – even the city’s hostels and hostels are notoriously expensive.
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business corner | €10 |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 furnished studio in the normal area | €940 |
| Monthly public transport | €74 |
12. Paris, France
The famous city of lights is a few places below the most expensive cities in Europe, but this does not even mean that its cost of living is low. That’s because the years of history, monuments, neighborhoods, glamor and romanticism that surround the Parisian atmosphere make prices in the city soar out of sight.
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business corner | €12 |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 furnished studio in the normal area | €924 |
| Monthly public transport | €57 |
Stay informed of the cost of living in France and monthly expenses.
Comparison of the cost of living between Zurich and São Paulo
To get an idea of how much the cost of living in the most expensive city in Europe is in relation to for example Lisbon, we made a comparison on the Expatistan website .
The platform points out that the cost of living in Zurich (Switzerland) is 135% more expensive than in Lisbon. See some comparative indexes:
| food | 195% |
| Housing | 199% |
| Transport | 59% |
| Personal cares | 126% |
If you are planning to live in Europe , it is always necessary to keep in mind and consider the cost of living and the benefits of living in the most expensive cities in Europe.
On the one hand, you will have a very high cost of living and you will not have an easy life, but you will be able to enjoy clean, safe, organized cities that generally offer a wonderful quality of life.
If your destination, whether to live or to stroll, is one of the cities listed above, it is good to be aware and do not give up travel insurance. In addition to being mandatory in most of them, protection guarantees medical care covered by the plan, at no extra cost.