Living and working in Lucerne
- Population 2025
- 441,500 inhab.
- Capital
- Luzern
- Official language
- German
- Region
- Central Switzerland
- Area
- 1,494 km²
- Estimated net salary (100k)
- 76,577 CHF
- Borders
- No international border
On a gross salary of CHF 100,000 a year, the tax burden in Luzern is 12.81%: rank 10 of 26 (Swiss average: 13.82%).
See Lucerne on the interactive map →
Strengths
- Top 5 nationwide for Corporate tax (1/26)
- Top 5 nationwide for Median wage (region) (5/26)
Context
- Lowest corporate tax in Switzerland in 2026.
- Within commuting distance of Zurich.
- Industry and engineering with large employers.
Key figures
| Indicator | Value | Rank | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | |||
| Tax burden at CHF 100,000 gross | 12.81% | 10/26 | 13.82% |
| Top marginal income tax rate | 28.59% | 8/26 | 33.04% |
| Corporate tax | 11.66% | 1/26 | 14.43% |
| Wealth tax | 2.3‰ | 5/26 | |
| Jobs | |||
| Median wage (region) | 7,092 CHF/month | 5/26 | 7,024 CHF/month |
| Registered unemployment | 2.2% | 9/26 | 3.0% |
| GDP per capita | 75,544 CHF | 14/26 | |
| Cost of living | |||
| Fixed monthly cost (rent + insurance) | 1,876 CHF/month | 16/26 | 1,966 CHF/month |
| Average rent, 3-4 room flat | 1,457 CHF/month | 17/26 | 1,478 CHF/month |
| Average health premium 2027 | 354 CHF/month | 6/26 | 412 CHF/month |
| Vacant homes | 0.78% | 17/26 | 1.00% |
| Sectors | |||
| Pharma and life sciences | 4/10 | 13/26 | |
| Tech and software | 4/10 | 7/26 | |
| AI ecosystem | 3/10 | 10/26 | |
| Finance and insurance | 4/10 | 8/26 | |
| Engineering and industry | 6/10 | 9/26 | |
| Languages | |||
| Speak English | 4.6% | 6.7% | |
| Speak German | 88.0% | 62.3% | |
| Speak French | 1.6% | 22.6% | |
| Speak Italian | 3.3% | 8.3% | |
| Train | |||
| Train to Zurich | 41 min | 6/26 | |
| Train to Basel | 1 h 00 min | 8/26 | |
| Train to Bern | 1 h 00 min | 9/26 | |
| Train to Geneva | 2 h 40 min | 11/26 | |
| Population | |||
| Population | 441,500 inhab. | ||
| Population density | 296 people/km² | ||
| Foreign nationals | 21.5% | 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
- Schindler Engineering and industry · Ebikon · Headquarters
- Emmi Consumer and commodities · Luzern · Headquarters
Universities and institutes
- Universität Luzern University · Luzern
Main cities
- Luzern 83,840 inhab.
- Emmen 31,573 inhab.
- Kriens 28,983 inhab.
- Horw 15,043 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 · ≈