Living and working in Solothurn
- Population 2025
- 291,583 inhab.
- Capital
- Solothurn
- Official language
- German
- Region
- Espace Mittelland
- Area
- 790 km²
- Estimated net salary (100k)
- 73,337 CHF
- Borders
- France
On a gross salary of CHF 100,000 a year, the tax burden in Solothurn is 16.05%: rank 20 of 26 (Swiss average: 13.82%).
See Solothurn on the interactive map →
Strengths
- Top 5 nationwide for Vacant homes (2/26)
- Top 5 nationwide for Engineering and industry (2/26)
- Top 5 nationwide for Average rent, 3-4 room flat (4/26)
Context
- Major rail hub: Olten links quickly to Basel, Zurich, Bern and Lucerne.
- Rents below average and more vacant homes.
- Notable pharma and life-sciences cluster.
Key figures
| Indicator | Value | Rank | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | |||
| Tax burden at CHF 100,000 gross | 16.05% | 20/26 | 13.82% |
| Top marginal income tax rate | 33.65% | 15/26 | 33.04% |
| Corporate tax | 15.45% | 21/26 | 14.43% |
| Wealth tax | 2.7‰ | 8/26 | |
| Jobs | |||
| Median wage (region) | 6,964 CHF/month | 14/26 | 7,024 CHF/month |
| Registered unemployment | 3.3% | 18/26 | 3.0% |
| GDP per capita | 73,803 CHF | 19/26 | |
| Cost of living | |||
| Fixed monthly cost (rent + insurance) | 1,748 CHF/month | 7/26 | 1,966 CHF/month |
| Average rent, 3-4 room flat | 1,254 CHF/month | 4/26 | 1,478 CHF/month |
| Average health premium 2027 | 418 CHF/month | 18/26 | 412 CHF/month |
| Vacant homes | 2.05% | 2/26 | 1.00% |
| Sectors | |||
| Pharma and life sciences | 5/10 | 10/26 | |
| Tech and software | 3/10 | 12/26 | |
| AI ecosystem | 2/10 | 15/26 | |
| Finance and insurance | 2/10 | 12/26 | |
| Engineering and industry | 7/10 | 2/26 | |
| Languages | |||
| Speak English | 4.3% | 6.7% | |
| Speak German | 86.5% | 62.3% | |
| Speak French | 2.6% | 22.6% | |
| Speak Italian | 4.6% | 8.3% | |
| Train | |||
| Train to Zurich | 55 min | 10/26 | |
| Train to Basel | 55 min | 6/26 | |
| Train to Bern | 35 min | 3/26 | |
| Train to Geneva | 1 h 55 min | 7/26 | |
| Population | |||
| Population | 291,583 inhab. | ||
| Population density | 369 people/km² | ||
| Foreign nationals | n/a | 27.4% | |
| Population growth | +0.6% | ||
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
- Biogen Luterbach Pharma and biotech · Luterbach
- DePuy Synthes (J&J) Medtech and diagnostics · Zuchwil
Main cities
- Olten 18,339 inhab.
- Grenchen 17,939 inhab.
- Solothurn 16,633 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 · ≈