Living and working in Neuchâtel
- Population 2025
- 180,365 inhab.
- Capital
- Neuchâtel
- Official language
- French
- Region
- Espace Mittelland
- Area
- 802 km²
- Estimated net salary (100k)
- 71,177 CHF
- Borders
- France
On a gross salary of CHF 100,000 a year, the tax burden in Neuchâtel is 18.21%: rank 26 of 26 (Swiss average: 13.82%).
See Neuchâtel on the interactive map →
Strengths
- Top 5 nationwide for Average rent, 3-4 room flat (2/26)
- Top 5 nationwide for Engineering and industry (2/26)
- Top 5 nationwide for Fixed monthly cost (rent + insurance) (3/26)
- Top 5 nationwide for Vacant homes (4/26)
Watch out
- Among the 5 least favourable for Tax burden at CHF 100,000 gross (26/26)
- Among the 5 least favourable for Average health premium 2027 (23/26)
- Among the 5 least favourable for Registered unemployment (22/26)
Context
- Watchmaking and precision micro-engineering.
- Rents below average and more vacant homes.
- French is essential in daily life.
Key figures
| Indicator | Value | Rank | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | |||
| Tax burden at CHF 100,000 gross | 18.21% | 26/26 | 13.82% |
| Top marginal income tax rate | 37.96% | 18/26 | 33.04% |
| Corporate tax | 14.89% | 19/26 | 14.43% |
| Wealth tax | 6.8‰ | 23/26 | |
| Jobs | |||
| Median wage (region) | 6,964 CHF/month | 14/26 | 7,024 CHF/month |
| Registered unemployment | 4.6% | 22/26 | 3.0% |
| GDP per capita | 106,165 CHF | 4/26 | |
| Cost of living | |||
| Fixed monthly cost (rent + insurance) | 1,653 CHF/month | 3/26 | 1,966 CHF/month |
| Average rent, 3-4 room flat | 1,098 CHF/month | 2/26 | 1,478 CHF/month |
| Average health premium 2027 | 469 CHF/month | 23/26 | 412 CHF/month |
| Vacant homes | 1.82% | 4/26 | 1.00% |
| Sectors | |||
| Pharma and life sciences | 5/10 | 10/26 | |
| Tech and software | 4/10 | 7/26 | |
| AI ecosystem | 3/10 | 10/26 | |
| Finance and insurance | 2/10 | 12/26 | |
| Engineering and industry | 7/10 | 2/26 | |
| Languages | |||
| Speak English | 4.4% | 6.7% | |
| Speak German | 4.6% | 62.3% | |
| Speak French | 88.3% | 22.6% | |
| Speak Italian | 5.6% | 8.3% | |
| Train | |||
| Train to Zurich | 1 h 30 min | 21/26 | |
| Train to Basel | 1 h 40 min | 17/26 | |
| Train to Bern | 35 min | 3/26 | |
| Train to Geneva | 1 h 10 min | 3/26 | |
| Population | |||
| Population | 180,365 inhab. | ||
| Population density | 225 people/km² | ||
| Foreign nationals | 27.1% | 27.4% | |
| Population growth | +0.5% | ||
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
- Bristol Myers Squibb Pharma and biotech · Boudry
- TAG Heuer Engineering and industry · La Chaux-de-Fonds · Headquarters
Universities and institutes
- Université de Neuchâtel University · Neuchâtel
- CSEM Research institute · Neuchâtel
Main cities
- Neuchâtel 44,597 inhab.
- La Chaux-de-Fonds 36,527 inhab.
- Le Locle 10,746 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 · ≈