Skyline of Chur
Cost of Living: 100 37,000

Chur, Switzerland

Switzerland's oldest city and capital of the Graubünden canton, a gateway to the Alps with a well-preserved old town and the starting point of the Glacier Express.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 100

Below Average vs Switzerland Avg (100)

Housing Index 105

Above Average

Median Income CHF 75,000

Household income

Unemployment 2.0%

Job market health

Chur vs Switzerland Average

Cost of Living
Chur: 100
Switzerland Avg: 100
Housing Index
Chur: 105
Switzerland Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Chur: 10%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 10.0%
  • Sales Tax: 8.1%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: CHF 75,000
  • Unemployment: 2.0%
  • Population: 37,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 175/year
  • Summer High: 75°F
  • Winter Low: 24°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5a

Housing

  • Median Home: CHF500,000
  • 1BR Rent: CHF1100/mo

Cost of Living

Chur's cost of living index is 100 (Switzerland average = 100).

CategoryChurNational AverageDifference
Overall1001000.0%
Housing105100+5.0%

Data source: BFS / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceCHF500,000
Median Rent (1BR)CHF1100/mo
Median Rent (2BR)CHF1,375/mo
Price per Sq FtCHF333

Data source: Homegate / Comparis, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

CHF
%
$90,000 down
%
%
CHF

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Chur:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityCHF100
Heating & CoolingCHF142Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterCHF40Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)CHF50Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesCHF332Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: ElCom, Swissgrid, BFS 2025

Remote Work Score

Chur scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
100
Rent
CHF1100
Sunny Days
175
Tax
10%
Unemployment
2.0%
Climate
75°F / 24°F
Safety
0.5 homicides/100k
Population
37,000
Internet Speed
180 Mbps

Climate

Chur has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January44°F24°F2.5"
April60°F39°F2.8"
July75°F50°F1.5"
October55°F42°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5a

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Chur faces the following natural hazards:

Blizzard High Risk

Switzerland experiences severe winter storms in the Alps.

Avalanche High Risk

Alpine region with frequent avalanches.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding and flash floods.

Landslide Moderate Risk

Alpine region with landslides.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Switzerland experiences occasional tornadoes.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 10%
  • Sales Tax: 8.1%
  • Property Tax: ~0.3% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 2.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Chur per 100,000 residents:

35.6
Violent Crime
2,837.4
Property Crime
0.5
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Eurostat

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Academic Year August to July
Term System Semester — Herbst (Aug-Jan), Frühling (Feb-Jul)
Summer Break July to August (5-6 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break February/March (1-2 weeks)

Schedule varies significantly by canton. Each canton sets its own holidays.

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Chur, Switzerland?

The cost of living index in Chur is 100, which is Lower the Switzerland national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Chur?

The median home price in Chur is CHF500,000. The housing index is 105.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Chur is approximately CHF1100/mo.

Does Chur, GR have income tax?

Chur is in GR, which has an income tax rate of 10%.

What is the climate like in Chur?

Chur enjoys approximately 175 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 75°F, while winter lows can drop to around 24°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: BFS / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Homegate / Comparis, 2026
  • Income & Employment: BFS Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities ElCom, Swissgrid, BFS 2025

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.