If you’ve ever daydreamed about moving to Europe, one of your first questions is probably: “But how much would my day-to-day life cost?” Sure, we hear about $10 cappuccinos in Paris or overpriced pasta in Venice, but what about the basics—the groceries you actually need to live?

Last summer, I put it to the test. I spent almost three months in Europe, traveling through 11 countries: the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Monaco, Italy, San Marino, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Germany. Instead of splurging at restaurants every day, I cooked in my Airbnb kitchens and kept my receipts.

What I found? Europe is often cheaper than the U.S. when it comes to groceries, with one very big exception: Switzerland.

If you live in the U.S., you might know Aldi or Lidl as budget grocery chains. What most Americans don’t realize is that these are German brands, and in Europe, they’re everywhere. And here’s the kicker: the quality is often better, and the prices are lower than their U.S. counterparts.

On top of that, Europe has countless other discount grocery chains—Mercadona in Spain, Eurospin in Italy, Penny in Germany, Carrefour across multiple countries. If you shop smart, you can eat incredibly well for a fraction of what you’d pay back home.

Paris is famously expensive… unless you know where to look. I stayed just outside the city, in Alfortville, where my Airbnb cost $69 per night in peak July season. My groceries? Shockingly affordable.

Here’s what I picked up in one trip:

Total: $21.34.

That’s dinner for days, plus wine for less than the price of a single entrée in a U.S. restaurant.

Further south, outside Aix-en-Provence, I grabbed:

Total: $32.25.

France’s regional grocery gems—especially the goat yogurts and cheeses—were both affordable and unlike anything I could easily find back in the States.

Italy is a foodie’s paradise, and the receipts prove it:

Total: €28.17 ($30.77).

In Sicily, it got even cheaper—feta for €1.99, chicken for €1.99, provolone for €1.19, and tomatoes for €0.22 (yes, cents) for a third of a pound.

Then, there’s Switzerland. Gorgeous, jaw-dropping, postcard-perfect Switzerland. Also known as: the place where your grocery budget explodes.

The same salads I bought for €1.99 in Italy? 6.99 Swiss francs ($7.43) in Switzerland. Tomatoes? Triple the price. Wine? Don’t even get me started.

And eating out? I caved once and bought a McDonald’s “Big & Tasty” combo in Bern. Smaller than the U.S. version, but the price? 18.83 francs ($21.28). For fast food.

Switzerland may be the most beautiful country I’ve ever visited, but it’s also one of the most expensive.

One reason groceries and restaurants feel cheaper in Europe is tipping culture. In the U.S., we automatically add 20% to every meal, plus taxes at the register. In Europe, prices already include taxes, and waiters earn regular salaries. Tipping is optional and minimal—usually rounding up a euro or two.

So that €20 restaurant bill in Italy really is €20. No hidden math required.

Not everything was about food. In Rome, I wandered into Porta Portese, the city’s largest flea market. I walked out with a brand-new linen shirt for $10—something that would’ve easily cost $50 in the U.S. These little finds remind you: Europe isn’t just about saving money, it’s about finding value in the everyday.

After 20+ years of traveling Europe, I’ve learned that groceries here aren’t just affordable—they’re part of the culture. From €2 bottles of wine to goat-cheese yogurts, shopping in Europe is an adventure in itself.

Sure, Switzerland will test your wallet. But in France, Spain, Italy, and Germany, you’ll often eat better and cheaper than in the U.S. or Canada.

And that’s the kind of travel math I’ll gladly do again.