Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Switzerland Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Zurich's property market is included in our pack
If you're a foreign individual thinking about buying an apartment in Zurich, you probably want a straight answer to one question: what will it actually cost me?
This guide breaks down everything from apartment prices by size and neighborhood to closing costs, down payments, and ongoing expenses, all based on the latest data available in January 2026.
We constantly update this blog post to reflect current market conditions and regulatory changes.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Zurich.
Insights
- Zurich has a vacancy rate of just 0.07%, making it one of the tightest apartment markets in Europe and meaning buyers face intense competition for any available unit.
- The price gap between Zurich's cheapest neighborhood (Affoltern at around CHF 13,400 per square meter) and its priciest (Seefeld at around CHF 20,300 per square meter) reaches nearly 50%, so location choice within the city dramatically affects your budget.
- Swiss banks require that at least 10% of your property's value comes from non-pension savings, which means for a typical CHF 1.4 million Zurich apartment, you need at least CHF 140,000 in cash, not pension funds.
- Zurich is one of the few Swiss cantons with no property transfer tax since 2005, which keeps buyer closing costs to around 0.5% to 1% of the purchase price, much lower than Geneva or Vaud.
- New-build apartments in Zurich command a premium of 10% to 20% over resale units, mainly because modern energy standards mean lower utility bills and no immediate renovation costs.
- Banks in Switzerland calculate your mortgage eligibility using a theoretical 5% interest rate (not the actual 1.5% to 2% you might pay), so you need a household income of roughly CHF 150,000 to qualify for a typical Zurich apartment.
- Foreign non-residents face restrictions under Lex Koller and may require cantonal authorization before purchasing, so checking your legal eligibility should be your very first step before spending money on valuations or mortgage pre-approvals.
- Apartment prices in Zurich have risen about 4% over the past year, while the national average is closer to 3%, reflecting the city's status as Switzerland's most in-demand real estate market.
How much do apartments really cost in Zurich in 2026?
What's the average and median apartment price in Zurich in 2026?
As of January 2026, the median apartment price in Zurich is around CHF 1,350,000 (approximately $1,690,000 or €1,260,000) for a standard 80 square meter unit, while the average price runs higher at roughly CHF 1,500,000 ($1,875,000 or €1,400,000) because luxury lakefront properties pull up the numbers.
Looking at price per square meter gives you a clearer picture: apartments in Zurich currently average around CHF 17,000 to CHF 18,300 per square meter ($21,250 to $22,900 or €15,900 to €17,100 per square meter), which translates to about CHF 1,580 to CHF 1,700 per square foot ($1,975 to $2,125 or €1,475 to €1,590 per square foot).
For most buyers looking at apartments in Zurich in 2026, the realistic price range that covers roughly 80% of purchases stretches from CHF 1,000,000 to CHF 3,360,000 ($1,250,000 to $4,200,000 or €935,000 to €3,140,000), with the lower end representing smaller apartments in outer districts like Affoltern and the upper end covering family-sized units in desirable lake-adjacent neighborhoods.
How much is a studio apartment in Zurich in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical studio apartment in Zurich costs around CHF 550,000 to CHF 650,000 ($690,000 to $810,000 or €515,000 to €610,000), though prices vary significantly depending on location and building age.
For entry-level to mid-range studio apartments in Zurich, expect to pay CHF 400,000 to CHF 600,000 ($500,000 to $750,000 or €375,000 to €560,000) in outer districts like Oerlikon or Affoltern, while high-end or luxury studios in prime areas like Seefeld or Kreis 1 can reach CHF 700,000 to CHF 900,000 ($875,000 to $1,125,000 or €655,000 to €840,000).
Studios in Zurich typically measure between 25 and 40 square meters, with 30 to 35 square meters being the most common size for this apartment type in the city.
How much is a one-bedroom apartment in Zurich in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical one-bedroom apartment (often listed as 2.5 rooms in Swiss terminology) in Zurich costs around CHF 850,000 to CHF 1,000,000 ($1,060,000 to $1,250,000 or €795,000 to €935,000).
Entry-level to mid-range one-bedroom apartments in Zurich range from CHF 700,000 to CHF 950,000 ($875,000 to $1,190,000 or €655,000 to €890,000) in average neighborhoods, while high-end or luxury one-bedroom units in prime locations like Enge or Hottingen can reach CHF 1,100,000 to CHF 1,400,000 ($1,375,000 to $1,750,000 or €1,030,000 to €1,310,000).
One-bedroom apartments in Zurich typically measure between 45 and 60 square meters, with around 50 to 55 square meters being the most common size for this category.
How much is a two-bedroom apartment in Zurich in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical two-bedroom apartment (often listed as 3.5 rooms in Swiss terminology) in Zurich costs around CHF 1,200,000 to CHF 1,500,000 ($1,500,000 to $1,875,000 or €1,120,000 to €1,400,000).
Entry-level to mid-range two-bedroom apartments in Zurich range from CHF 1,000,000 to CHF 1,400,000 ($1,250,000 to $1,750,000 or €935,000 to €1,310,000) in neighborhoods like Wiedikon or Altstetten, while high-end or luxury two-bedroom units in premium areas like Seefeld or Hirslanden can reach CHF 1,800,000 to CHF 2,500,000 ($2,250,000 to $3,125,000 or €1,680,000 to €2,340,000).
By the way, you will find much more detailed price ranges for apartments in our property pack covering the property market in Zurich.
How much is a three-bedroom apartment in Zurich in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical three-bedroom apartment (often listed as 4.5 rooms in Swiss terminology) in Zurich costs around CHF 1,800,000 to CHF 2,200,000 ($2,250,000 to $2,750,000 or €1,680,000 to €2,060,000).
Entry-level to mid-range three-bedroom apartments in Zurich range from CHF 1,500,000 to CHF 2,000,000 ($1,875,000 to $2,500,000 or €1,400,000 to €1,870,000), while high-end or luxury three-bedroom apartments in prime locations can reach CHF 2,500,000 to CHF 4,000,000 ($3,125,000 to $5,000,000 or €2,340,000 to €3,740,000) or more.
Three-bedroom apartments in Zurich typically measure between 100 and 130 square meters, with around 105 to 115 square meters being the most common size for family-oriented units in the city.
What's the price gap between new and resale apartments in Zurich in 2026?
As of January 2026, new-build apartments in Zurich typically cost 10% to 20% more than comparable resale apartments in the same neighborhood, mainly because modern buildings meet stricter energy standards and require no immediate renovations.
New-build apartments in Zurich currently average around CHF 19,000 to CHF 22,000 per square meter ($23,750 to $27,500 or €17,750 to €20,560 per square meter), depending on location and building specifications.
Resale apartments in Zurich average around CHF 16,500 to CHF 18,500 per square meter ($20,625 to $23,125 or €15,420 to €17,290 per square meter), though older buildings in need of renovation may fall below this range while well-maintained properties in prime areas can exceed it.
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Can I afford to buy in Zurich in 2026?
What's the typical total budget (all-in) to buy an apartment in Zurich in 2026?
As of January 2026, the typical all-in budget needed to buy a standard two-bedroom apartment in Zurich ranges from CHF 1,250,000 to CHF 1,600,000 ($1,560,000 to $2,000,000 or €1,170,000 to €1,500,000), including the purchase price plus all additional costs.
Beyond the purchase price, your all-in budget for a Zurich apartment must cover buyer closing costs (notary fees, land registry fees, and mortgage note fees at around 0.5% to 1% of the price), plus a cash reserve of at least CHF 20,000 to CHF 50,000 for unexpected expenses, moving costs, and minor repairs.
We go deeper and try to understand what costs can be avoided or minimized (and how) in our Zurich property pack.
You can also read our dedicated blog article to understand what you can at different budget levels in Zurich.
What down payment is typical to buy in Zurich in 2026?
As of January 2026, the typical down payment to buy an apartment in Zurich is 20% of the purchase price, which for a CHF 1,400,000 apartment means around CHF 280,000 ($350,000 or €260,000) in equity.
Swiss banks require a minimum of 20% equity for owner-occupied residential property, and this rule applies across all lenders without exception.
However, to secure favorable mortgage terms and meet affordability requirements in Zurich, at least 10% of the property value (so CHF 140,000 for a CHF 1,400,000 apartment) must come from sources other than your second pillar pension fund, meaning you need real cash, savings, or third pillar funds for half of your down payment.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Switzerland.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Switzerland compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
Which neighborhoods are cheapest or priciest in Zurich in 2026?
How much does the price per m² for apartments vary by neighborhood in Zurich in 2026?
As of January 2026, apartment prices in Zurich range from around CHF 13,000 per square meter ($16,250 or €12,150 per square meter) in the most affordable neighborhoods to over CHF 25,000 per square meter ($31,250 or €23,350 per square meter) in the most prestigious areas near the lake and old town.
The most affordable neighborhoods in Zurich for apartments include Affoltern at around CHF 13,400 per square meter ($16,750 or €12,520 per square meter), Schwamendingen (Kreis 12) at around CHF 14,000 per square meter ($17,500 or €13,080 per square meter), and Oerlikon at around CHF 15,700 per square meter ($19,625 or €14,670 per square meter).
The most expensive neighborhoods in Zurich for apartments include Seefeld (Kreis 8) at around CHF 20,300 per square meter ($25,375 or €18,970 per square meter), Hirslanden at around CHF 20,000 per square meter ($25,000 or €18,690 per square meter), and Kreis 1 (Altstadt) where prime listings can exceed CHF 25,000 per square meter ($31,250 or €23,350 per square meter).
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Zurich.
What neighborhoods are best for first-time buyers on a budget in Zurich in 2026?
As of January 2026, the three best neighborhoods for first-time buyers on a budget in Zurich are Altstetten (Kreis 9), Oerlikon (Kreis 11), and Schwamendingen (Kreis 12), all offering prices 20% to 30% below citywide averages.
In these budget-friendly Zurich neighborhoods, typical apartment prices range from CHF 800,000 to CHF 1,200,000 ($1,000,000 to $1,500,000 or €750,000 to €1,120,000) for a two-bedroom unit, compared to CHF 1,400,000 or more in central areas.
These neighborhoods offer excellent S-Bahn and tram connections, modern housing stock from post-2000 developments, good local amenities, and reasonable commute times to the city center of 15 to 25 minutes.
The main trade-off is that these areas lack the prestige and lake views of central Zurich, and some blocks may feel more suburban than urban, which may matter if you value walkability and nightlife.
Which neighborhoods have the fastest-rising apartment prices in Zurich in 2026?
As of January 2026, the three neighborhoods with the fastest-rising apartment prices in Zurich are Kreis 5 (Zurich West around Hardbrücke), Kreis 4 (Aussersihl and Langstrasse area), and Kreis 11 (Oerlikon), all driven by ongoing redevelopment and infrastructure improvements.
These fast-appreciating Zurich neighborhoods have seen estimated year-over-year price increases of 5% to 8%, compared to the citywide average of around 4%.
The main driver behind rapid price growth in these areas is the combination of new housing developments, improved transit connections, lifestyle amenities like restaurants and cultural venues, and proximity to employment centers, especially in the tech and finance sectors.
You can also read our latest update about property price forecasts in Zurich.
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What extra costs will I pay on top of the apartment price in Zurich in 2026?
What are all the buyer closing costs when you buy an apartment in Zurich?
For a typical CHF 1,400,000 apartment purchase in Zurich, estimated total buyer closing costs range from CHF 7,000 to CHF 14,000 ($8,750 to $17,500 or €6,540 to €13,080).
The main categories of closing costs for buyers in Zurich include notary fees (for preparing and certifying the purchase deed), land registry fees (for registering ownership), and mortgage note fees if you are financing (for creating or transferring the Schuldbrief that secures your loan).
The largest single expense for buyers is typically the notary and land registry package, though this is relatively modest in Zurich at around 0.1% to 0.2% of the purchase price because the canton eliminated property transfer tax in 2005.
Some costs are slightly negotiable or variable: for example, if you can take over an existing mortgage note (Schuldbrief) from the seller instead of creating a new one, you can save on mortgage registration fees.
On average, how much are buyer closing costs as a percentage of the purchase price for an apartment in Zurich?
Buyers in Zurich should budget approximately 0.5% to 1.0% of the purchase price for closing costs, which is notably lower than many other Swiss cantons because Zurich does not charge a property transfer tax.
The realistic low-to-high range that covers most standard apartment transactions in Zurich runs from about 0.4% (if you can take over an existing mortgage note) to around 1.2% (if you need a new mortgage note and encounter some additional administrative fees).
We actually cover all these costs and strategies to minimize them in our pack about the real estate market in Zurich.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Switzerland versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What are the ongoing monthly and yearly costs of an apartment in Zurich in 2026?
What are typical HOA fees in Zurich right now?
In Zurich, apartment ownership typically involves paying monthly building charges (often called Stockwerkeigentümergemeinschaft or condominium fees), which cover shared costs like cleaning, elevator maintenance, common electricity, administration, and contributions to a renovation reserve fund.
For a standard Zurich apartment, typical monthly HOA-style fees range from CHF 300 to CHF 650 ($375 to $810 or €280 to €610), depending on building age, amenities, and size, which translates to roughly CHF 4 to CHF 8 per square meter per month.
What utilities should I budget monthly in Zurich right now?
For a typical apartment in Zurich, total monthly utility costs average around CHF 200 to CHF 350 ($250 to $440 or €185 to €325), depending on apartment size, heating type, and personal consumption habits.
The realistic range of monthly utility costs in Zurich runs from CHF 150 ($190 or €140) for a small, energy-efficient studio to CHF 450 ($560 or €420) or more for a larger family apartment with higher consumption.
The typical monthly utility budget in Zurich includes electricity (around CHF 60 to CHF 120), water (around CHF 20 to CHF 40 based on the city tariff of CHF 1.75 per cubic meter), heating (often included in building charges for apartments), and waste/wastewater fees.
Electricity tends to be the most variable cost for apartment owners in Zurich, since ewz (the city's utility provider) charges different rates for high and low tariff periods, and your usage depends heavily on appliances and heating supplements.
How much is property tax on apartments in Zurich?
In Zurich, there is no standalone annual property tax bill like in many other countries; instead, the tax impact of owning an apartment flows through your income tax (via imputed rental value, called Eigenmietwert) and your wealth tax (since the property counts toward taxable assets).
Imputed rental value in Switzerland works by adding a notional rental income to your taxable income, typically calculated at 60% to 70% of what your apartment could theoretically rent for, even though you live in it yourself; this increases your income tax but can be offset partially by deducting mortgage interest and maintenance costs.
The effective annual tax cost varies widely based on your income bracket, mortgage size, and cantonal/communal tax rates, but for a CHF 1,400,000 Zurich apartment, the combined wealth and imputed rental value impact might add CHF 5,000 to CHF 15,000 ($6,250 to $18,750 or €4,675 to €14,020) to your annual tax bill compared to renting.
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Zurich.
What's the yearly building maintenance cost in Zurich?
For apartment owners in Zurich, the estimated typical yearly building maintenance cost is around 1% of the property value, which for a CHF 1,400,000 apartment means approximately CHF 14,000 per year ($17,500 or €13,080 per year) as a planning envelope.
The realistic range of yearly maintenance costs in Zurich runs from around CHF 8,000 ($10,000 or €7,475) for a newer building with minimal issues to CHF 20,000 ($25,000 or €18,690) or more for older buildings facing major renovations like facade work or heating system replacement.
Typical expenses included in building maintenance costs cover common area repairs, elevator servicing, roof upkeep, facade cleaning, heating system maintenance, and contributions to the renovation reserve fund for future major works.
In Zurich apartments, most maintenance costs are embedded in your monthly HOA charges (Nebenkosten), though special assessments for major renovations are billed separately when the building association votes to undertake significant projects.
How much does home insurance cost in Zurich?
For an apartment in Zurich, the estimated typical annual home insurance cost for contents and personal liability coverage is around CHF 300 to CHF 700 ($375 to $875 or €280 to €655), depending on coverage level and the value of your belongings.
The realistic range of annual home insurance costs in Zurich runs from CHF 200 ($250 or €185) for basic coverage to CHF 1,000 ($1,250 or €935) or more for comprehensive policies with high coverage limits and additional riders.
Building insurance (Gebäudeversicherung) is mandatory in Zurich canton and is handled at the building level through GVZ (Gebäudeversicherung Kanton Zürich), so individual apartment owners typically pay their share through monthly HOA charges rather than arranging it separately.
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What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Zurich, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO) | Switzerland's official statistics agency publishing the national residential property price index. | We used it to anchor our discussion in official transaction-based price trends. We also used it to separate price levels from price changes. |
| Homegate | One of Switzerland's largest property portals with transparent listing data updated regularly. | We used it as our primary Zurich price-level anchor for asking prices. We treated it as market-facing reality that buyers actually see when shopping. |
| RealAdvisor | Swiss property data platform providing neighborhood-level price analysis and valuation tools. | We used it to cross-check median and average prices across Zurich neighborhoods. We also used their postal code breakdowns for geographic analysis. |
| Neho | Swiss real estate platform providing current price-per-square-meter data for Zurich. | We used it to validate price trends and compare asking versus transaction estimates. We also referenced their market statistics. |
| ImmoScout24 | Major Swiss property portal useful for checking real listing examples in specific neighborhoods. | We used it to validate that prime central Zurich can exceed CHF 25,000 per square meter. We used it as a reality check on upper-end prices. |
| FINMA | Switzerland's national financial markets regulator with official statements on mortgage standards. | We used it to ground our mortgage and down payment discussion in the actual Swiss supervisory framework. |
| UBS | One of Switzerland's largest banks providing practical guidance on mortgage requirements. | We used it to support the 20% equity rule and maintenance cost estimates. We used it as bank-side confirmation of lending norms. |
| Swiss Life | Major Swiss insurer and financial institution providing standard mortgage guidance. | We used it to corroborate the 80/20 loan-to-value structure. We used it as independent confirmation of equity requirements. |
| Notariate Kanton Zürich | Official Zurich notary and land registry portal for fee information. | We used it to confirm Zurich-specific closing costs and that no transfer tax has applied since 2005. |
| ewz (City of Zurich utility) | Zurich's official electricity provider publishing current tariffs. | We used it to estimate electricity costs using real 2026 tariff components. |
| City of Zurich (water tariff) | Official city source with water tariff rates directly stated. | We used it to build a realistic utilities budget for water costs in Zurich. |
| GVZ (Buildings Insurance Canton Zurich) | Cantonal public building insurer explaining mandatory coverage requirements. | We used it to explain what insurance is mandatory versus optional in Zurich. |
| Swiss government portal (ch.ch) | Official information portal of the Confederation, cantons, and communes. | We used it to explain how property taxation works in Switzerland, including imputed rental value. |
| Federal Office of Justice (Lex Koller) | Federal authority page describing the controlling law for foreign property purchases. | We used it to clarify whether foreign buyers can legally purchase a Zurich apartment and when authorization is required. |
| Comparis | Major Swiss comparison platform providing practical guidance on purchase costs. | We used it to cross-check closing cost breakdowns and mortgage note fees across cantons. |
| Houzy | Swiss property platform with detailed explanations of purchase and sale costs. | We used it to validate cantonal differences in notary fees, land registry fees, and transfer taxes. |
| SWI swissinfo.ch | Swiss public broadcasting service providing accessible explanations of Swiss systems. | We used it to explain mortgage affordability calculations and the 5% theoretical interest rate rule. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Switzerland. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
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