The canton of St. Gallen in numbers
The canton of St. Gallen in brief: a single person earning CHF 80,000 gross pays CHF 10'365 in taxes per year in the capital (rank 9 of 26), average rent is CHF 1'343 per month and the health-insurance premium CHF 494.98 per month — with around 1'701.4 hours of sunshine per year. Every figure below comes from an official source and is dated.
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| Metric | Value | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income tax (single, 80k) | CHF 10'365 per year | Rank 9 of 26 | ESTV · 2026 |
| Rent (avg) | CHF 1'343 per month | Rank 15 of 26 | BFS Strukturerhebung · 2024 |
| Health premium (adult) | CHF 494.98 per month | Rank 15 of 26 | BAG / priminfo · 2026 |
| Sunshine | 1'701.4 hours per year | Rank 21 of 24 | MeteoSwiss · 2025 |
| Jobs | 318'271 jobs | Rank 6 of 26 | BFS STATENT · 2023 |
| Net migration (per 1,000) | 8.65‰ | Rank 13 of 26 | BFS Demografische Bilanz · 2024 |
| Foreign residents | 26.96% | Rank 11 of 26 | BFS STATPOP · 2024 |
| Fiscal balance per capita | −CHF 341 per person | Rank 18 of 26 | EFV FS-Modell · 2024 |
| Hospital beds (per 1,000) | 3.91 per 1,000 residents | Rank 12 of 20 | BFS Krankenhausstatistik · 2024 |
Income tax (single, 80k)
CHF 10'365 per year — Rank 9 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 1'343 per month — Rank 15 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 494.98 per month — Rank 15 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
1'701.4 hours per year — Rank 21 of 24 (MeteoSwiss, 2025). Average hours of sunshine per year, measured at the canton’s weather stations. Higher means sunnier.
Jobs
318'271 jobs — Rank 6 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)
8.65‰ — Rank 13 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
26.96% — Rank 11 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 341 per person — Rank 18 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)
3.91 per 1,000 residents — Rank 12 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 St. Gallen?
A single person earning CHF 80,000 gross pays about CHF 10'365 in income and wealth tax per year in the capital of the canton of St. Gallen (ESTV, 2026) — rank 9 of 26 cantons.
How expensive is rent in the canton of St. Gallen?
The average monthly rent of a rented home in the canton of St. Gallen is CHF 1'343 (BFS, 2024) — rank 15 of 26 cantons.
How high is the health-insurance premium in the canton of St. Gallen?
The average monthly basic-insurance premium for an adult in the canton of St. Gallen is CHF 494.98 (BAG/priminfo, 2026) — rank 15 of 26 cantons.
How sunny is the canton of St. Gallen?
In the canton of St. Gallen the sun shines an average of 1'701.4 hours per year (MeteoSwiss, 2025) — rank 21 of 24 cantons.
What would moving to the canton of St. Gallen 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 St. Gallen — for your household, at commune level, from official data.