The canton of Zurich in numbers
The canton of Zurich in brief: a single person earning CHF 80,000 gross pays CHF 7'945 in taxes per year in the capital (rank 22 of 26), average rent is CHF 1'768 per month and the health-insurance premium CHF 532.73 per month — with around 1'799.5 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 7'945 per year | Rank 22 of 26 | ESTV · 2026 |
| Rent (avg) | CHF 1'768 per month | Rank 2 of 26 | BFS Strukturerhebung · 2024 |
| Health premium (adult) | CHF 532.73 per month | Rank 10 of 26 | BAG / priminfo · 2026 |
| Sunshine | 1'799.5 hours per year | Rank 11 of 24 | MeteoSwiss · 2025 |
| Jobs | 1'141'903 jobs | Rank 1 of 26 | BFS STATENT · 2023 |
| Net migration (per 1,000) | 7.69‰ | Rank 19 of 26 | BFS Demografische Bilanz · 2024 |
| Foreign residents | 29.01% | Rank 6 of 26 | BFS STATPOP · 2024 |
| Fiscal balance per capita | −CHF 283 per person | Rank 17 of 26 | EFV FS-Modell · 2024 |
| Hospital beds (per 1,000) | 3.68 per 1,000 residents | Rank 14 of 20 | BFS Krankenhausstatistik · 2024 |
Income tax (single, 80k)
CHF 7'945 per year — Rank 22 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 1'768 per month — Rank 2 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 532.73 per month — Rank 10 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
1'799.5 hours per year — Rank 11 of 24 (MeteoSwiss, 2025). Average hours of sunshine per year, measured at the canton’s weather stations. Higher means sunnier.
Jobs
1'141'903 jobs — Rank 1 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)
7.69‰ — Rank 19 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
29.01% — Rank 6 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 283 per person — Rank 17 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)
3.68 per 1,000 residents — Rank 14 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 Zurich?
A single person earning CHF 80,000 gross pays about CHF 7'945 in income and wealth tax per year in the capital of the canton of Zurich (ESTV, 2026) — rank 22 of 26 cantons.
How expensive is rent in the canton of Zurich?
The average monthly rent of a rented home in the canton of Zurich is CHF 1'768 (BFS, 2024) — rank 2 of 26 cantons.
How high is the health-insurance premium in the canton of Zurich?
The average monthly basic-insurance premium for an adult in the canton of Zurich is CHF 532.73 (BAG/priminfo, 2026) — rank 10 of 26 cantons.
How sunny is the canton of Zurich?
In the canton of Zurich the sun shines an average of 1'799.5 hours per year (MeteoSwiss, 2025) — rank 11 of 24 cantons.
What would moving to the canton of Zurich 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 Zurich — for your household, at commune level, from official data.
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