In a comparison of accommodation costs, Comparis, the Swiss consumer information agency, found that an average three to 3½-room apartment in Zurich rents for 2,432 francs a month.

This compares with 1,111 francs in watch-making town La Chaux-de-Fonds.

Apartments in Geneva are the second priciest at 2,029 francs.

But flats in Geneva are also the smallest on average in the country at 61 square metres for a 3½-room pad.

This compares with an average off 77 square metres across Switzerland and 82 square metres in Zurich, where apartments are rated the biggest in the country.

On a cost per square metre basis, apartments in Geneva are the most expensive at more than 33 francs, compared to 30 francs in Zurich.

In La Chaux-de-Fonds the cost per square metre is 14 francs.