The canton of Vaud in numbers
The canton of Vaud in brief: a single person earning CHF 80,000 gross pays CHF 11'839 in taxes per year in the capital (rank 2 of 26), average rent is CHF 1'465 per month and the health-insurance premium CHF 606.66 per month — with around 1'993.3 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 11'839 per year | Rank 2 of 26 | ESTV · 2026 |
| Rent (avg) | CHF 1'465 per month | Rank 9 of 26 | BFS Strukturerhebung · 2024 |
| Health premium (adult) | CHF 606.66 per month | Rank 6 of 26 | BAG / priminfo · 2026 |
| Sunshine | 1'993.3 hours per year | Rank 4 of 24 | MeteoSwiss · 2025 |
| Jobs | 494'645 jobs | Rank 3 of 26 | BFS STATENT · 2023 |
| Net migration (per 1,000) | 8.79‰ | Rank 12 of 26 | BFS Demografische Bilanz · 2024 |
| Foreign residents | 33.98% | Rank 3 of 26 | BFS STATPOP · 2024 |
| Fiscal balance per capita | −CHF 480 per person | Rank 19 of 26 | EFV FS-Modell · 2024 |
| Hospital beds (per 1,000) | 4.23 per 1,000 residents | Rank 11 of 20 | BFS Krankenhausstatistik · 2024 |
Income tax (single, 80k)
CHF 11'839 per year — Rank 2 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 1'465 per month — Rank 9 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 606.66 per month — Rank 6 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
1'993.3 hours per year — Rank 4 of 24 (MeteoSwiss, 2025). Average hours of sunshine per year, measured at the canton’s weather stations. Higher means sunnier.
Jobs
494'645 jobs — Rank 3 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)
8.79‰ — Rank 12 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
33.98% — Rank 3 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 480 per person — Rank 19 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)
4.23 per 1,000 residents — Rank 11 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 Vaud?
A single person earning CHF 80,000 gross pays about CHF 11'839 in income and wealth tax per year in the capital of the canton of Vaud (ESTV, 2026) — rank 2 of 26 cantons.
How expensive is rent in the canton of Vaud?
The average monthly rent of a rented home in the canton of Vaud is CHF 1'465 (BFS, 2024) — rank 9 of 26 cantons.
How high is the health-insurance premium in the canton of Vaud?
The average monthly basic-insurance premium for an adult in the canton of Vaud is CHF 606.66 (BAG/priminfo, 2026) — rank 6 of 26 cantons.
How sunny is the canton of Vaud?
In the canton of Vaud the sun shines an average of 1'993.3 hours per year (MeteoSwiss, 2025) — rank 4 of 24 cantons.
What would moving to the canton of Vaud 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 Vaud — for your household, at commune level, from official data.
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