✦ Cost of living
Switzerland
National taxes, visas and economy — plus every city we track in Switzerland.
The cost of living in Switzerland averages 169 on our index (a typical US city = 100) — about 69% more expensive. A one-bedroom rent runs roughly $2,500/mo and the top income-tax rate is 40%. The average net salary is about $6,000/mo.
- Currency
- Swiss franc (Fr. CHF)
- Languages
- German, French, Italian
- Capital
- Bern
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Power
- J · 230V
▤ Taxes
40%
Income tax
progressive
8.1%
VAT / sales
15%
Corporate
0%
Capital gains
$6,000
Avg net salary
per month
84.4 yr
Life expectancy
World Bank 2024
✈ Visas & residency
Quota system; easier for EU/EFTA than third-country nationals.
✈ Schengen 90/180 for many passports.
Work permit (B)work
Employer-sponsored, quota-limited.
Settlement permit (C)residence
❖ Cities in Switzerland
⚖ Compare Switzerland with other countries
Switzerland vs United StatesSwitzerland vs United KingdomSwitzerland vs FranceSwitzerland vs GermanySwitzerland vs NetherlandsSwitzerland vs IrelandSwitzerland vs SpainSwitzerland vs PortugalSwitzerland vs ItalySwitzerland vs CanadaSwitzerland vs United Arab EmiratesSwitzerland vs SingaporeSwitzerland vs JapanSwitzerland vs AustraliaSwitzerland vs ThailandSwitzerland vs MexicoSwitzerland vs ArgentinaSwitzerland vs IndiaSwitzerland vs TurkeySwitzerland vs IndonesiaSwitzerland vs ColombiaSwitzerland vs BrazilSwitzerland vs AustriaSwitzerland vs South Korea