Cost of Living in Geneva for Students

Geneva is one of the most beautiful places in the world, located on the banks of the famous Geneva Lake. It has retained its touch with its tradition, giving you the experience to enjoy a blend of traditional and modern living. Due to its attractive outdoor lifestyle, it gained its 9th spot in the Mercer’s Quality of Living City Ranking. With its thriving economy and being a financial center of the country and home to many of the world’s businesses, you will get a lot of excellent job opportunities after completing your studies in Geneva.

Is Geneva a student city?

Geneva is an internationally diverse country in Europe, having students from across the globe. This means out of the 40% of the population, around 25 % comprises international students. There are three main languages spoken here, with French being the most used language in the country. It is home to the University of Geneva, which is considered to be in the top 100 universities in the world.

Is it expensive for international students to live in Geneva?

Geneva is expensive, so please be careful with your budget and spending. The cost of living in Geneva will come to CHF 1,600 – CHF 2,600 /month. This will include rent, food, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses, excluding your tuition fees.

The cost of living will vary and depend on your lifestyle.

For more personalized information, use our cost of living calculator to estimate your desired area’s average cost of living.

Before we list the details of the cost of living in Geneva, let’s summarize its cost.

Is it expensive to study in Geneva?

If you are an exchange student at the University of Geneva and their home university, you are exempted from the tuition fees but pay only administration fees. The cost of your tuition fees in Geneva will depend upon the course, university, and nationality. Please check in with your desired university for full information on the tuition fee of your university.

Is rent expensive in Switzerland?

The cost of rent in Geneva will depend on the location and type of accommodation you choose to stay in while studying in Geneva. The student accommodation in Geneva offers affordable rooms and apartments close to universities. They are listed below for your reference.

Student Housing

Student housing in Geneva provides students with safe, secure, and comfortable rooms ranging from studios to en-suites. They are all full-furnished, designed for comfort, and equipped with modern amenities for a relaxing and enjoyable time.

Most of the accommodations are at a distance of under 3 miles. While the ones outside of the city center are up to 20 miles.

Private Apartment

The student apartments in Geneva offer a different experience to a student from the on-campus residence. You can choose the location, occupancy, and other personal preferences in this accommodation type. It offers a more secure, independent, and happier living experience.

University Halls

These are residence halls provided by the university for students who opt to stay within or close to the university. They provide rooms with basic facilities with more restrictions and are limited to private life. 

Is food expensive in Geneva?

Geneva is already an expensive city, so it’s advisable to save money by cooking meals at home. The cost of groceries per month will cost CHF 500 as compared to eating a meal in a mid-range restaurant costs you CHF 55 per day. 

How much do utility bills cost in Geneva?

The cost of utility bills cost CHF 116 in Geneva/ month. The student accommodation takes care of your utility bills, including the rent. 

How to get around Geneva?

Geneva is a small and compact city that you can navigate on foot. A good public transportation network exists, such as trains, buses, and trams. You can purchase the Geneva Transport Card to travel in all modes of public transportation.