Living and working in Obwalden
- Population 2025
- 39,879 inhab.
- Capital
- Sarnen
- Official language
- German
- Region
- Central Switzerland
- Area
- 491 km²
- Estimated net salary (100k)
- 77,877 CHF
- Borders
- No international border
On a gross salary of CHF 100,000 a year, the tax burden in Sarnen is 11.51%: rank 4 of 26 (Swiss average: 13.82%).
See Obwalden on the interactive map →
Strengths
- Top 5 nationwide for Registered unemployment (3/26)
- Top 5 nationwide for Tax burden at CHF 100,000 gross (4/26)
- Top 5 nationwide for Top marginal income tax rate (4/26)
- Top 5 nationwide for Average health premium 2027 (4/26)
Watch out
- Among the 5 least favourable for Vacant homes (23/26)
Context
- Flat rate for cantonal income tax.
- Among the lowest taxes in the country.
- Small and rural: few specialised jobs.
Key figures
| Indicator | Value | Rank | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | |||
| Tax burden at CHF 100,000 gross | 11.51% | 4/26 | 13.82% |
| Top marginal income tax rate | 24.30% | 4/26 | 33.04% |
| Corporate tax | 12.74% | 7/26 | 14.43% |
| Wealth tax | 1.6‰ | 2/26 | |
| Jobs | |||
| Median wage (region) | 7,092 CHF/month | 5/26 | 7,024 CHF/month |
| Registered unemployment | 1.2% | 3/26 | 3.0% |
| GDP per capita | 74,902 CHF | 18/26 | |
| Cost of living | |||
| Fixed monthly cost (rent + insurance) | 1,793 CHF/month | 12/26 | 1,966 CHF/month |
| Average rent, 3-4 room flat | 1,406 CHF/month | 15/26 | 1,478 CHF/month |
| Average health premium 2027 | 327 CHF/month | 4/26 | 412 CHF/month |
| Vacant homes | 0.50% | 23/26 | 1.00% |
| Sectors | |||
| Pharma and life sciences | 2/10 | 19/26 | |
| Tech and software | 2/10 | 18/26 | |
| AI ecosystem | 1/10 | 20/26 | |
| Finance and insurance | 2/10 | 12/26 | |
| Engineering and industry | 6/10 | 9/26 | |
| Languages | |||
| Speak English | 3.7% | 6.7% | |
| Speak German | 91.6% | 62.3% | |
| Speak French | 1.0% | 22.6% | |
| Speak Italian | 1.9% | 8.3% | |
| Train | |||
| Train to Zurich | 1 h 10 min | 17/26 | |
| Train to Basel | 1 h 30 min | 13/26 | |
| Train to Bern | 1 h 40 min | 17/26 | |
| Train to Geneva | 3 h 05 min | 16/26 | |
| Population | |||
| Population | 39,879 inhab. | ||
| Population density | 81 people/km² | ||
| Foreign nationals | n/a | 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
- maxon Engineering and industry · Sachseln · Headquarters
Main cities
- Sarnen 10,654 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 · ≈