Living and working in Ticino
- Population 2025
- 359,783 inhab.
- Capital
- Bellinzona
- Official language
- Italian
- Region
- Ticino
- Area
- 2,812 km²
- Estimated net salary (100k)
- 74,687 CHF
- Borders
- Italy
On a gross salary of CHF 100,000 a year, the tax burden in Bellinzona is 14.70%: rank 15 of 26 (Swiss average: 13.82%).
See Ticino on the interactive map →
Strengths
- Top 5 nationwide for Vacant homes (3/26)
- Top 5 nationwide for AI ecosystem (3/26)
- Top 5 nationwide for Finance and insurance (4/26)
Watch out
- Among the 5 least favourable for Median wage (region) (26/26)
- Among the 5 least favourable for Average health premium 2027 (26/26)
Context
- Italian-speaking; wages below the Swiss median.
- Leading AI research.
- Many cross-border commuters; living across the border is an option.
Key figures
| Indicator | Value | Rank | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxes | |||
| Tax burden at CHF 100,000 gross | 14.70% | 15/26 | 13.82% |
| Top marginal income tax rate | 38.52% | 19/26 | 33.04% |
| Corporate tax | 16.05% | 23/26 | 14.43% |
| Wealth tax | 4.8‰ | 16/26 | |
| Jobs | |||
| Median wage (region) | 5,708 CHF/month | 26/26 | 7,024 CHF/month |
| Registered unemployment | 3.1% | 16/26 | 3.0% |
| GDP per capita | 102,190 CHF | 6/26 | |
| Cost of living | |||
| Fixed monthly cost (rent + insurance) | 1,922 CHF/month | 17/26 | 1,966 CHF/month |
| Average rent, 3-4 room flat | 1,307 CHF/month | 9/26 | 1,478 CHF/month |
| Average health premium 2027 | 520 CHF/month | 26/26 | 412 CHF/month |
| Vacant homes | 1.92% | 3/26 | 1.00% |
| Sectors | |||
| Pharma and life sciences | 4/10 | 13/26 | |
| Tech and software | 4/10 | 7/26 | |
| AI ecosystem | 6/10 | 3/26 | |
| Finance and insurance | 6/10 | 4/26 | |
| Engineering and industry | 4/10 | 20/26 | |
| Languages | |||
| Speak English | 4.3% | 6.7% | |
| Speak German | 10.3% | 62.3% | |
| Speak French | 4.7% | 22.6% | |
| Speak Italian | 88.2% | 8.3% | |
| Train | |||
| Train to Zurich | 1 h 55 min | 23/26 | |
| Train to Basel | 2 h 50 min | 26/26 | |
| Train to Bern | 2 h 50 min | 26/26 | |
| Train to Geneva | 4 h 15 min | 25/26 | |
| Population | |||
| Population | 359,783 inhab. | ||
| Population density | 128 people/km² | ||
| Foreign nationals | 29.4% | 27.4% | |
| Population growth | +0.2% | ||
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
- IBSA Pharma and biotech · Lugano · Headquarters
- Helsinn Pharma and biotech · Lugano · Headquarters
Universities and institutes
- USI · IDSIA University · Lugano
- CSCS Research institute · Lugano
Main cities
- Lugano ≈ 63,000 inhab.
- Bellinzona 44,270 inhab.
- Locarno 16,241 inhab.
- Mendrisio 14,909 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 · ≈