Living and working in Glarus

Population 2025: 42,451 inhab.
Capital: Glarus
Official language: German
Region: Eastern Switzerland
Area: 685 km²
Estimated net salary (100k): 76,627 CHF
Borders: No international border

On a gross salary of CHF 100,000 a year, the tax burden in Glarus is 12.76%: rank 9 of 26 (Swiss average: 13.82%).

Strengths

Top 5 nationwide for Average rent, 3-4 room flat (3/26)
Top 5 nationwide for Corporate tax (4/26)
Top 5 nationwide for Fixed monthly cost (rent + insurance) (5/26)

Context

Small and rural: few specialised jobs.
Industry and engineering with large employers.

Key figures

Indicator	Value	Rank	Switzerland
Taxes
Tax burden at CHF 100,000 gross	12.76%	9/26	13.82%
Top marginal income tax rate	31.17%	10/26	33.04%
Corporate tax	12.50%	4/26	14.43%
Wealth tax	3.5‰	12/26
Jobs
Median wage (region)	6,623 CHF/month	19/26	7,024 CHF/month
Registered unemployment	2.0%	8/26	3.0%
GDP per capita	75,430 CHF	16/26
Cost of living
Fixed monthly cost (rent + insurance)	1,683 CHF/month	5/26	1,966 CHF/month
Average rent, 3-4 room flat	1,251 CHF/month	3/26	1,478 CHF/month
Average health premium 2027	365 CHF/month	12/26	412 CHF/month
Vacant homes	0.61%	20/26	1.00%
Sectors
Pharma and life sciences	2/10	19/26
Tech and software	1/10	24/26
AI ecosystem	1/10	20/26
Finance and insurance	1/10	21/26
Engineering and industry	6/10	9/26
Languages
Speak English	3.3%		6.7%
Speak German	85.0%		62.3%
Speak French	0.8%		22.6%
Speak Italian	6.3%		8.3%
Train
Train to Zurich	1 h 05 min	13/26
Train to Basel	2 h 00 min	19/26
Train to Bern	2 h 00 min	21/26
Train to Geneva	3 h 45 min	21/26
Population
Population	42,451 inhab.
Population density	62 people/km²
Foreign nationals	26.7%		27.4%
Population growth	+0.2%

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.

Main cities

Glarus 12,515 inhab.