Living and working in Aargau

Population 2025: 743,768 inhab.
Capital: Aarau
Official language: German
Region: Northwestern Switzerland
Area: 1,404 km²
Estimated net salary (100k): 76,387 CHF
Borders: Germany

On a gross salary of CHF 100,000 a year, the tax burden in Aarau is 13.00%: rank 12 of 26 (Swiss average: 13.82%).

Strengths

Top 5 nationwide for Engineering and industry (1/26)
Top 5 nationwide for Median wage (region) (2/26)
Top 5 nationwide for Pharma and life sciences (5/26)

Context

Within commuting distance of Zurich.
Within commuting distance of Basel.
Industry and engineering with large employers.
Top-tier universities and research institutes.

Key figures

Indicator	Value	Rank	Switzerland
Taxes
Tax burden at CHF 100,000 gross	13.00%	12/26	13.82%
Top marginal income tax rate	33.39%	14/26	33.04%
Corporate tax	14.71%	16/26	14.43%
Wealth tax	3.3‰	11/26
Jobs
Median wage (region)	7,156 CHF/month	2/26	7,024 CHF/month
Registered unemployment	3.4%	20/26	3.0%
GDP per capita	67,224 CHF	23/26
Cost of living
Fixed monthly cost (rent + insurance)	1,926 CHF/month	18/26	1,966 CHF/month
Average rent, 3-4 room flat	1,464 CHF/month	18/26	1,478 CHF/month
Average health premium 2027	391 CHF/month	15/26	412 CHF/month
Vacant homes	1.18%	7/26	1.00%
Sectors
Pharma and life sciences	6/10	5/26
Tech and software	4/10	7/26
AI ecosystem	4/10	7/26
Finance and insurance	2/10	12/26
Engineering and industry	8/10	1/26
Languages
Speak English	5.6%		6.7%
Speak German	85.8%		62.3%
Speak French	2.0%		22.6%
Speak Italian	5.3%		8.3%
Train
Train to Zurich	30 min	3/26
Train to Basel	35 min	3/26
Train to Bern	35 min	3/26
Train to Geneva	2 h 10 min	8/26
Population
Population	743,768 inhab.
Population density	530 people/km²
Foreign nationals	27.8%		27.4%
Population growth	+1.1%

Rank 1 of 26 = the most favourable situation for people living or working there. Our own estimate based on the major employers and institutes present. There is no comparable official share per canton.

Taxes

Rates for the cantonal capital, including federal, cantonal and municipal tax. Another municipality can differ by several points.
With an L or B permit, tax is withheld from your salary. Above CHF 120,000 a year you also file an ordinary return.
If you register as a member of a recognised church you also pay church tax.

The FSO publishes median wages by statistical region, not by canton. Sectors such as pharma or finance pay well above it. The average premium mixes all ages, deductibles and models; an adult pays more. Rents refer to existing leases: flats advertised today cost more.

Companies on the map

Roche Kaiseraugst Pharma and biotech · Kaiseraugst
Novartis Stein Pharma and biotech · Stein
Siegfried Pharma and biotech · Zofingen · Headquarters
ABB Baden Engineering and industry · Baden

Universities and institutes

Paul Scherrer Institut Research institute · Villigen

Main cities

Aarau 21,807 inhab.
Wettingen 21,094 inhab.
Baden 19,839 inhab.
Rheinfelden 13,624 inhab.