The canton of Neuchâtel in numbers
The canton of Neuchâtel in brief: a single person earning CHF 80,000 gross pays CHF 12'866 in taxes per year in the capital (rank 1 of 26), average rent is CHF 1'091 per month and the health-insurance premium CHF 627.03 per month — with around 1'945.4 hours of sunshine per year. Every figure below comes from an official source and is dated.
Calculate your move — free, at commune level →
| Metric | Value | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income tax (single, 80k) | CHF 12'866 per year | Rank 1 of 26 | ESTV · 2026 |
| Rent (avg) | CHF 1'091 per month | Rank 25 of 26 | BFS Strukturerhebung · 2024 |
| Health premium (adult) | CHF 627.03 per month | Rank 4 of 26 | BAG / priminfo · 2026 |
| Sunshine | 1'945.4 hours per year | Rank 5 of 24 | MeteoSwiss · 2025 |
| Jobs | 114'700 jobs | Rank 17 of 26 | BFS STATENT · 2023 |
| Net migration (per 1,000) | 8.04‰ | Rank 15 of 26 | BFS Demografische Bilanz · 2024 |
| Foreign residents | 27.07% | Rank 10 of 26 | BFS STATPOP · 2024 |
| Fiscal balance per capita | CHF 167 per person | Rank 12 of 26 | EFV FS-Modell · 2024 |
| Hospital beds (per 1,000) | 3.4 per 1,000 residents | Rank 16 of 20 | BFS Krankenhausstatistik · 2024 |
Income tax (single, 80k)
CHF 12'866 per year — Rank 1 of 26 (ESTV, 2026). Total income+wealth tax (federal+cantonal+communal) for a single person earning CHF 80,000, at the canton capital, 2026 (ESTV). Lower is cheaper. The single biggest location lever — e.g. Zug ~3,300 vs Neuchâtel ~12,900/yr. Note: at the cantonal capital; varies by commune.
Rent (avg)
CHF 1'091 per month — Rank 25 of 26 (BFS Strukturerhebung, 2024). Average monthly rent of a tenant-occupied dwelling in the canton, all sizes (2024). Lower is cheaper. The biggest offset to tax savings — e.g. Zug has low taxes but the highest rents. Caveat: canton average; city vs rural varies widely.
Health premium (adult)
CHF 627.03 per month — Rank 4 of 26 (BAG / priminfo, 2026). Average monthly mandatory health-insurance premium for an adult — standard model, CHF 300 deductible, accident included (2026). Lower is cheaper. A major household cost that varies a lot by canton (≈CHF 380–665/month), and a key offset to any tax saving when you move.
Sunshine
1'945.4 hours per year — Rank 5 of 24 (MeteoSwiss, 2025). Average hours of sunshine per year, measured at the canton’s weather stations. Higher means sunnier.
Jobs
114'700 jobs — Rank 17 of 26 (BFS STATENT, 2023). Total jobs located in the canton (full- and part-time). A measure of the size of the local job market.
Net migration (per 1,000)
8.04‰ — Rank 15 of 26 (BFS Demografische Bilanz, 2024). People moving in minus those moving out, per 1,000 residents (international plus between cantons). Positive means the canton is growing through migration.
Foreign residents
27.07% — Rank 10 of 26 (BFS STATPOP, 2024). Share of residents who are foreign nationals (not Swiss citizens). A higher value means a more international population.
Fiscal balance per capita
CHF 167 per person — Rank 12 of 26 (EFV FS-Modell, 2024). The canton’s yearly budget result per resident — revenue minus spending. Positive is a surplus (earns more than it spends); negative is a deficit, which can signal future tax pressure.
Hospital beds (per 1,000)
3.4 per 1,000 residents — Rank 16 of 20 (BFS Krankenhausstatistik, 2024). Hospital beds available per 1,000 residents. Higher means more hospital capacity in the canton.
Frequently asked questions
How high are taxes in the canton of Neuchâtel?
A single person earning CHF 80,000 gross pays about CHF 12'866 in income and wealth tax per year in the capital of the canton of Neuchâtel (ESTV, 2026) — rank 1 of 26 cantons.
How expensive is rent in the canton of Neuchâtel?
The average monthly rent of a rented home in the canton of Neuchâtel is CHF 1'091 (BFS, 2024) — rank 25 of 26 cantons.
How high is the health-insurance premium in the canton of Neuchâtel?
The average monthly basic-insurance premium for an adult in the canton of Neuchâtel is CHF 627.03 (BAG/priminfo, 2026) — rank 4 of 26 cantons.
How sunny is the canton of Neuchâtel?
In the canton of Neuchâtel the sun shines an average of 1'945.4 hours per year (MeteoSwiss, 2025) — rank 5 of 24 cantons.
What would moving to the canton of Neuchâtel cost?
With the free Swiss Living Index move calculator you can compare taxes, rent and health premiums between your commune and one in the canton of Neuchâtel — for your household, at commune level, from official data.