Living and working in Schwyz
- Population 2025
- 170,072 inhab.
- Capital
- Schwyz
- Official language
- German
- Region
- Central Switzerland
- Area
- 908 km²
- Estimated net salary (100k)
- 79,837 CHF
- Borders
- No international border
On a gross salary of CHF 100,000 a year, the tax burden in Schwyz is 9.55%: rank 2 of 26 (Swiss average: 13.82%).
See Schwyz on the interactive map →
Strengths
- Top 5 nationwide for Tax burden at CHF 100,000 gross (2/26)
- Top 5 nationwide for Top marginal income tax rate (2/26)
- Top 5 nationwide for Registered unemployment (3/26)
- Top 5 nationwide for Median wage (region) (5/26)
Watch out
- Among the 5 least favourable for Average rent, 3-4 room flat (24/26)
- Among the 5 least favourable for Fixed monthly cost (rent + insurance) (23/26)
- Among the 5 least favourable for Vacant homes (22/26)
Context
- Among the lowest taxes in the country.
- Taxes vary a lot between municipalities: compare before choosing.
- Within commuting distance of Zurich.
Key figures
| Indicator | Value | Rank | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | |||
| Tax burden at CHF 100,000 gross | 9.55% | 2/26 | 13.82% |
| Top marginal income tax rate | 23.30% | 2/26 | 33.04% |
| Corporate tax | 13.30% | 10/26 | 14.43% |
| Wealth tax | 1.7‰ | 3/26 | |
| 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 | 70,739 CHF | 20/26 | |
| Cost of living | |||
| Fixed monthly cost (rent + insurance) | 2,091 CHF/month | 23/26 | 1,966 CHF/month |
| Average rent, 3-4 room flat | 1,671 CHF/month | 24/26 | 1,478 CHF/month |
| Average health premium 2027 | 355 CHF/month | 8/26 | 412 CHF/month |
| Vacant homes | 0.52% | 22/26 | 1.00% |
| Sectors | |||
| Pharma and life sciences | 2/10 | 19/26 | |
| Tech and software | 3/10 | 12/26 | |
| AI ecosystem | 2/10 | 15/26 | |
| Finance and insurance | 5/10 | 5/26 | |
| Engineering and industry | 4/10 | 20/26 | |
| Languages | |||
| Speak English | 6.5% | 6.7% | |
| Speak German | 87.8% | 62.3% | |
| Speak French | 2.0% | 22.6% | |
| Speak Italian | 3.1% | 8.3% | |
| Train | |||
| Train to Zurich | 50 min | 8/26 | |
| Train to Basel | 1 h 35 min | 15/26 | |
| Train to Bern | 1 h 45 min | 19/26 | |
| Train to Geneva | 3 h 10 min | 17/26 | |
| Population | |||
| Population | 170,072 inhab. | ||
| Population density | 187 people/km² | ||
| Foreign nationals | n/a | 27.4% | |
| Population growth | +0.7% | ||
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
- Victorinox Engineering and industry · Ibach · Headquarters
- Kuehne+Nagel Consumer and commodities · Schindellegi · Headquarters
Main cities
- Freienbach 16,711 inhab.
- Einsiedeln 16,310 inhab.
- Schwyz 15,685 inhab.
- Küssnacht 13,843 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 · ≈