Zurich is home to ETH Zurich (consistently ranked top 5 globally, Einstein’s alma mater) and the University of Zurich (Switzerland’s largest university). It also has one of the world’s most expensive housing markets — but student housing is heavily subsidized, and the gap between student rents and market rents is enormous.
WOKO (The Student Housing Cooperative)
WOKO is Zurich’s main student housing provider — a cooperative with 2,500+ rooms across the city. WOKO rooms are furnished, cheap, and extremely competitive:
- Single room in shared flat: CHF 450–700/month (€460–720)
- Studio: CHF 600–900/month
The waiting list reality: 6–12 months is normal. International master’s students often get some priority. Apply the day your acceptance arrives. Exchange students sometimes get shorter queues.
Other Student Housing Providers
- JUWO (University of Zurich housing): Student residences in the Irchel campus area. CHF 400–650/month.
- LIV (ETH housing office): Helps place ETH students, with priority for first-semester master’s students.
Private Market Reality
If you can’t get student housing, the private market is brutal:
- Room in a WG (shared flat): CHF 800–1,400/month
- Studio: CHF 1,200–2,000/month
Many students use the “Zwischenmiete” (sublet) strategy — taking over a room from a student on exchange or internship. These are typically furnished, 3–6 months, and slightly cheaper than the open market. Find them on wgzimmer.ch and university housing boards.
The Swiss Budget Reality
Zurich is one of the world’s most expensive cities. ETH itself estimates CHF 1,600–2,000/month for student living:
- Housing (WOKO): CHF 500–700
- Health insurance (mandatory): CHF 100–150 (students get subsidized rates)
- Food (cooking + Mensa): CHF 400–550
- Transport: CHF 60–100 (student pass)
- Other: CHF 200–400
FAQ
Is Zurich worth the cost? For ETH Zurich — absolutely. It’s one of the world’s best universities, and the Swiss job market after graduation is extremely strong (Switzerland has the highest salaries in Europe). Can I work as a student? International students can work up to 15 hours/week during term, full-time during holidays — but only after living in Switzerland for 6 months. ETH and UZH have student job portals. Do I need German? The Zürich dialect (Züritüütsch) is particularly difficult, but all master’s programs at ETH are in English, and the city is highly English-functional. German helps for admin and off-campus life.