The canton of Obwalden in numbers

Income tax (single, 80k)

CHF 8'329 per year — Rank 18 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 1'449 per month — Rank 11 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 450.22 per month — Rank 23 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

1'733.6 hours per year — Rank 17 of 24 (MeteoSwiss, 2025). Average hours of sunshine per year, measured at the canton’s weather stations. Higher means sunnier.

Jobs

23'646 jobs — Rank 23 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)

9.06‰ — Rank 10 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

17.04% — Rank 23 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 562 per person — Rank 21 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.

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