How expensive is Switzerland?
Switzerland is very expensive compared to other European countries. Just to give you an example: a meal at McDonald’s in Zurich, Switzerland is currently (in 2011) about 11 francs, which is equivalent to $11.00, whereas something similar in America would be only $5 or $6.
This does mean, however, that salaries and wages are higher in Switzerland. When talking to a waiter who works at an Indian restaurant in Switzerland, I discovered that he earns 20 francs per hour, or about $20 per hour, not including tips. This considerably higher than what waiters earn in the USA, since they typically earn about $8.00 per hour starting out (excluding tips, of course).