Swiss Living Index

Zurich vs Geneva

In short: taxes are lower in Zurich, rent is cheaper in Geneva and the health premium is lower in Zurich. All metrics in detail:

MetricZurichGenevaSource
Income tax (single, 80k)CHF 7'945CHF 10'453ESTV · 2026
Rent (avg)CHF 1'768CHF 1'573BFS Strukturerhebung · 2024
Health premium (adult)CHF 532.73CHF 665.37BAG / priminfo · 2026
Sunshine1'799.5 h2'025 hMeteoSwiss · 2025
Jobs1'141'903396'090BFS STATENT · 2023
Net migration (per 1,000)7.69‰15.29‰BFS Demografische Bilanz · 2024
Foreign residents29.01%41.7%BFS STATPOP · 2024
Fiscal balance per capita−CHF 283CHF 670EFV FS-Modell · 2024
Hospital beds (per 1,000)3.684.61BFS Krankenhausstatistik · 2024

Frequently asked questions

Where are taxes lower: Zurich or Geneva?

In the canton of Zurich (CHF 7'945 per year).

Where is rent cheaper: Zurich or Geneva?

In the canton of Geneva (CHF 1'573 per month).

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