T&H price index: housing and mobility costs
The Comparis T&H price index measures price developments in the areas of housing and mobility. A month-on-month comparison with the previous year shows that prices are rising.
26.03.2026
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1. How have housing and mobility prices changed?
According to the T&H price index, housing and mobility prices in February 2026 were somewhat more expensive, with an increase of 0.2%.As a comparison, the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) prices rose by an average of 0.1%.
Most significant price increases compared to the previous year
Prices for motor vehicle insurance have risen sharply: they are 7.4% more expensive than in February 2025.
The prices for taxi journeys rose by 3.6% compared with the previous year.
For apartment cleaning services you pay 2.0% more than 12 months ago.
Rent, as the largest item of expenditure has risen by 1.4% in the last 12 months.
Most significant price decreases compared to the previous year
The prices of fuel have fallen by 5.3% over the past 12 months.
Prices for other household consumer goods also became cheaper – by 5.0%.
The prices of energy for heating have fallen by 4.9%.
The T&H price index measures inflation especially in the areas of housing and mobility – including the costs of a car, public transport usage, rent and electricity.
Why does the T&H price index matter?
For an average family in Switzerland, housing and transport costs make up around 40% of their budget for daily consumption.
The problem: the costs for an apartment, public transport or a car are what are known as sluggish consumption expenses. These costs tend to be fixed and cannot be easily influenced by your consumption habits. Price increases in housing and mobility can therefore hit the budget particularly hard for many people.
Other statistics take too little account of these important expenses. The T&H price index provides transparency here and examines these figures in detail.
How is the T&H price index calculated?
It’s calculated in collaboration with the KOF Institute at ETH Zurich. The index complements the Comparis consumer price index and the Comparis leisure index.
Recommended by our subject-matter experts: How much would you have paid in the past?
Use the calculator and find out how much you would have paid a few years ago for various goods in the housing and transport sectors would have paid.
2. T&H price index: the current level of the index
A look at price developments in housing and transport shows that prices fluctuate and that in February 2026 they were slightly higher than last year. However, unlike in previous years, inflation has stabilised somewhat.
3. Housing and transport: changes over the past five years
Over the past five years, the T&H index has risen by a total of 10.3%. The NCPI rose by just 7.3% over the same period. The following costs have risen the most:
Energy for heating: up 41.2%
Electricity: +34.1%
Motor vehicle insurance: +18.9%
The increase in motor vehicle insurance premiums is primarily due to the higher costs for spare parts and repairs. This is because spare parts now cost 19.1% more than five years ago. The cost of servicing and repair work has risen by 8.1%.
Motor vehicle insurance increased by 7.4% compared to the same month last year. Premiums are adjusted with a time lag in response to the increased costs of spare parts and repairs. The increased use of more expensive electronics in new cars in recent years has led to more complex repairs and more expensive spare parts – and thus to a sharp rise in premiums. In addition, the rise in claims, such as for hail damage, has led to higher costs. As new cars become more technologically advanced, vehicle owners of older models are also increasingly being asked to pay more.
However, for some goods and services, costs have also fallen over the past five years. These include:
Small household appliances: down 8.7%
Power tools for home and garden: down 7.9%
Bicycles and electric bikes: down 3.1%
Large electrical household appliances: down 1.4%
Money-saving tips for consumers
These tips will help you reduce the impact of inflation on you personally mitigate your personal inflation somewhat:
Check the premium increase: If you receive a higher bill, you should not simply accept it. Check whether the increase is lawful – or whether you can switch provider if necessary.
Exercise your special right of termination: With insurance, you often have a special right of termination if your premium increases through no fault of your own. This is true, for example, of car insurance.
Compare value for money: Compare different providers for a product. Why? Because, depending on the provider, you may pay different amounts for the same service or receive different coverage for the same price. A comparison like this often only takes a few minutes – but it can save you a lot of money.
Question long-term contracts: The insurance market does not always reward loyalty. For this reason, it’s particularly worthwhile to check the market after a year in which there have been widespread premium increases. Often, in addition to premiums, the aim is also to find an insurance policy that better suits your needs.
4. Who is most affected by inflation?
Not all Swiss households are equally affected by inflation. Consumption behaviour differs, among other things, depending on age, income and region.
T&H price index by income
The lowest income bracket feels the most inflation, with an increase of 0.4% compared to the previous year. Compared with November 2025, the inflation rate for this group was +0.2%.
Less affected by inflation was the highest income bracket. Compared to the previous year, prices for them have risen by 0.1%. In the last three months, consumption for this bracket has become 0.3% more expensive.
The above-average rise in rents continues unabated. This is particularly tough for low-income households, as rent is the largest item in their budget. There is an urgent need to create additional, affordable housing.
T&H price index by age and living situation
Single-person households aged 65 and over experienced the highest inflation compared to the previous year, with an increase of 0.5%. Compared with November 2025, prices for them rose by 0.2%.
Couples aged 65 and over without children felt the lowest inflation. For them, perceived inflation has remained the same as the previous year. Over a 3-month period, prices rose by 0.1%.
This article was first published on 27.03.2024
