- Andrey Vasilyev
I was able to connect with other expats in Zurich who enjoy cycling as much as I do and organize weekly rides.
Join American expats in Lausanne
Are you an American moving to or already living in Lausanne? You’re not alone! Join our community and learn how other expats made this beautiful city their home. Experiencing other cultures is amazing and never gets old. But there are moments in life when it’s nice to spend some time with your fellow countrymen. Maybe you need a tax advisor who speaks English or perhaps you’d like a few buddies to watch the Super Bowl with.
In this guide, we’ll share the pros and cons and FAQs of living in Lausanne, as well as where to find a community of Americans.
Why you'll love InterNations in Lausanne
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!
The pros & cons of living in Lausanne
No city is perfect. There are always highs, lows, and everything in-between. Here’s what American expats adore about Lausanne, as well as the challenges they face in this Swiss city.
Pros:
Natural beauty: Lausanne is a real-life postcard. It’s situated between Lake Geneva and the Alps, offering breathtaking views, clean air, and endless outdoor activities. According to the Expat Insider 2023 survey, 94% of expats there appreciate the natural environment. You can consider Lausanne a refreshing escape from the urban sprawl of cities like Los Angeles or New York.
Strong economy & job security: The Swiss economy is robust, and 92% of expats there rate it positively. They also appreciate the fair pay and job security.
High quality of life: Compared to many cities in the US, Lausanne is cleaner, safer, and more efficient, ranking 9th globally in Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index. The healthcare system is top-notch, though affordability can be an issue.
Efficient admin & digital life: Navigating bureaucracy is relatively smooth compared to other countries, with Lausanne ranking 13th (out of 49 countries) for Admin Topics in the Expat Insider survey. The city also scores well for Digital Life (11th), making it easy to stay connected.
Outdoor lifestyle: From hiking and skiing to swimming in Lake Geneva, Lausanne is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.
Public transport: The majority of expats there (87%) appreciate the city’s infrastructure, which includes metro lines, buses, and trains that connect the city seamlessly. If you’re used to driving everywhere in cities like Dallas or Atlanta, you’ll love the convenience of Lausanne’s public transit.
Cons:
High cost of living: Lausanne is expensive, with 65% of expats there saying the cost of living is too high. And housing is particularly challenging, as 67% find it unaffordable while 59% struggle to find a place to live.
Healthcare affordability: Health insurance is mandatory and can be costly as Swizterland doesn’t have a government-run program, meaning options are limited to private health insurance. Although healthcare quality is excellent, about half of expats there (49%) find it unaffordable.
Challenges in settling in: Making friends and feeling at home can be tough. Only 49% of expats feel welcome in Lausanne. The city ranks 45th (out of 49) for Finding Friends, so building a social circle takes effort.
Language barrier: While many locals speak English, French is the primary language. Navigating daily life, bureaucracy, or making local friends can be challenging without French skills. Only 44% of expats find it easy to live there without speaking French.
No local airport: Lausanne doesn’t have its own commercial airport, so you’ll need to travel to Geneva (about an hour away) for international flights. If you’re used to the convenience of airports in your city, this might feel like a hassle.
Meet American expats at our weekly events
Making friends and building a network in a new city can be hard. At InterNations events in Lausanne, you’ll meet other expats who understand exactly what you’re going through. Our gatherings are designed to help you connect naturally — whether you’re looking for advice, friendships, or just a familiar face in your new home.
If you’ve just arrived, our Newcomers’ Events are the perfect place to start. Our friendly Ambassadors will introduce you to others and help you settle in with ease.
Want to meet other Americans at our events?
Most asked questions about life in Lausanne
Lakeside spots like Brasserie de Montbenon (for Sunday brunch) and the Dock café attract English speakers, while pubs like The Great Escape cater to homesick Americans with NFL viewings and burgers.
The American International Club in nearby Geneva, and our InterNations events are also a great opportunity to meet Americans and other English-speaking expats in Lausanne. Our Newcomers’ Events are geared towards introducing newcomers to the community, which makes finding friends a whole lot easier than trying your luck in a bar.
Coming from the 24/7 buzz of American cities, you may be surprised by the closed shops and empty streets on Sunday as it’s considered a nationwide pause button, so you should always plan your shopping beforehand.
There are some social codes as well; for example after 10 pm and Sundays are considered quite hours, which means no loud activities like playing loud music or vacuuming. Throwing the trash out is also more complicated than you might be used to because there are separate bins for glass, organic, paper, and plastic.
The average salary for jobs in Lausanne is around 6,700 Swiss Franc per month (gross). If you’re making at least this amount, you can live comfortably. However, if you have a family and kids to support, you might want to aim higher.
Here is an overview of the monthly cost of living in Lausanne:
| Expense | USD | Local currency |
1-bedroom apartment | 1,650–2,200 USD | 1,500–2,000 CHF |
Utilities (electricity, water, etc.) | 165–220 USD | 150–200 CHF |
Health insurance | 330–550 | 300–500 CHF |
Public transport | 77–110 USD | 70–100 CHF |
Groceries | 440–660 USD | 400–600 CHF |
Dining out (per meal) | 28–55 USD | 25–50 CHF |
Lausanne has a significant number of internationals; locals are also open to speaking English with foreigners. However, you’ll face the proverbial language barrier when it comes to renting an apartment, visiting the doctor, or dealing with Swiss bureaucracy.
If you plan to live there, you should attempt to learn some basic French, as according to our Expat Insider 2023 survey, only 44% of expats in the city find it easy to live there without speaking French.
Thankfully, Lausanne has a wide selection of language schools, such as Institut Polycours or Institut Fazel.
To make your time in Lausanne a bit easier, we’ve collected some services that cater to English speakers to help you with the most important aspects of life (these services are not affiliated with or endorsed by InterNations):
General practitioner (GP) |
A full-service clinic with different practitioners. |
Dentist | Saint-François Dental Center A dentist with multiple English speakers on staff. |
Urgent care | Lausanne University Hospital University hospital with a dedicated multilingual approach. |
Immigration assistance | Lodge Relocation
Relocation and visa services with a full-service approach. |
Tax advisor | US Tax Consultants |
Instant interpreting service | DayInterpreting Get connected to a native English speaker and use your phone’s loudspeaker to have an instant interpreter with you. |
Meet other Americans in Lausanne
Our Global Partners
Share your hobbies and passion with fellow expats
Living in Lausanne and want to hold on to your favorite hobbies or try new ones? You’re in the right place! Our InterNations Groups make it easy to connect with fellow expats who share the same passion.
Each group is led by dedicated Consuls with at least one activity each month. They organize everything from dinners to sightseeing to board game nights. Join the Hiking and Skiing and Mountain Sport Group for mountain excursions, mingle with fellow foodies at the DinnerNations Group, or have some laughs while singing with the Karaoke Group — to name a few.
Find other Americans to share your hobbies with
Enjoy the International Experience with InterNations
- Browse our network of members to get to know American expats in Lausanne and connect with others.
- Take part in our expat forums to get firsthand tips and information from fellow Americans in Lausanne.
- Meet other American expats and global minds at 600 monthly official events and share your interests at more than 4,600 monthly activities in Lausanne and across the globe.
InterNations doesn’t exist in Lausanne only, we offer communities in most Swiss cites. Considering moving to another city in Switzerland? Check out our American Communities in Geneva, Basel, Bern, or Zurich.
- Andrey Vasilyev
I was able to connect with other expats in Zurich who enjoy cycling as much as I do and organize weekly rides.
- Elin Gustavson
At the first InterNations event that I attended, I met my wonderful partner. We now live together in a flat next to the Limmat.
