Living and working in Basel-Country
- Population 2025
- 303,872 inhab.
- Capital
- Liestal
- Official language
- German
- Region
- Northwestern Switzerland
- Area
- 518 km²
- Estimated net salary (100k)
- 72,497 CHF
- Borders
- Germany, France
On a gross salary of CHF 100,000 a year, the tax burden in Liestal is 16.89%: rank 23 of 26 (Swiss average: 13.82%).
See Basel-Country on the interactive map →
Strengths
- Top 5 nationwide for Median wage (region) (2/26)
- Top 5 nationwide for Pharma and life sciences (2/26)
Watch out
- Among the 5 least favourable for Top marginal income tax rate (25/26)
- Among the 5 least favourable for Tax burden at CHF 100,000 gross (23/26)
Context
- Notable pharma and life-sciences cluster.
- Within commuting distance of Basel.
Key figures
| Indicator | Value | Rank | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | |||
| Tax burden at CHF 100,000 gross | 16.89% | 23/26 | 13.82% |
| Top marginal income tax rate | 42.22% | 25/26 | 33.04% |
| Corporate tax | 13.45% | 11/26 | 14.43% |
| Wealth tax | 5.4‰ | 18/26 | |
| Jobs | |||
| Median wage (region) | 7,156 CHF/month | 2/26 | 7,024 CHF/month |
| Registered unemployment | 3.1% | 16/26 | 3.0% |
| GDP per capita | 77,693 CHF | 13/26 | |
| Cost of living | |||
| Fixed monthly cost (rent + insurance) | 2,056 CHF/month | 20/26 | 1,966 CHF/month |
| Average rent, 3-4 room flat | 1,509 CHF/month | 20/26 | 1,478 CHF/month |
| Average health premium 2027 | 462 CHF/month | 21/26 | 412 CHF/month |
| Vacant homes | 0.79% | 16/26 | 1.00% |
| Sectors | |||
| Pharma and life sciences | 8/10 | 2/26 | |
| Tech and software | 3/10 | 12/26 | |
| AI ecosystem | 3/10 | 10/26 | |
| Finance and insurance | 2/10 | 12/26 | |
| Engineering and industry | 6/10 | 9/26 | |
| Languages | |||
| Speak English | 7.1% | 6.7% | |
| Speak German | 86.4% | 62.3% | |
| Speak French | 3.2% | 22.6% | |
| Speak Italian | 5.4% | 8.3% | |
| Train | |||
| Train to Zurich | 45 min | 7/26 | |
| Train to Basel | 10 min | 2/26 | |
| Train to Bern | 50 min | 6/26 | |
| Train to Geneva | 2 h 35 min | 10/26 | |
| Population | |||
| Population | 303,872 inhab. | ||
| Population density | 587 people/km² | ||
| Foreign nationals | 25.5% | 27.4% | |
| Population growth | +0.8% | ||
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
- Bachem Pharma and biotech · Bubendorf · Headquarters
- Idorsia Pharma and biotech · Allschwil · Headquarters
Universities and institutes
- Swiss TPH Research institute · Allschwil
- FHNW University · Muttenz
Main cities
- Allschwil 21,654 inhab.
- Reinach 19,667 inhab.
- Muttenz 17,917 inhab.
- Liestal 15,420 inhab.
Other cantons
Sources
- BFS/OFS · STATPOP 2025
- KPMG · Clarity on Swiss Taxes 2026
- ESTV/AFC · Steuerbelastung Kantonshauptorte
- ESTV/Taxbooks · Vermögenssteuer 2025
- BFS/OFS · LSE 2024
- SECO · Arbeitsmarktstatistik 03/2026
- BFS/OFS · VGR 2022
- BFS/OFS · Strukturerhebung 2022
- BAG/OFSP · Prämien 2026/2027
- BFS/OFS · Leerwohnungszählung 2025
- BFS/OFS · Strukturerhebung 2020
- BFS/OFS · STATPOP 2024 (Statista)
- SBB CFF FFS · ≈