Living and working in Valais

Population 2025: 376,113 inhab.
Capital: Sion
Official language: German and French
Region: Lake Geneva region
Area: 5,224 km²
Estimated net salary (100k): 74,347 CHF
Borders: France, Italy

On a gross salary of CHF 100,000 a year, the tax burden in Sion is 15.04%: rank 17 of 26 (Swiss average: 13.82%).

Strengths

Top 5 nationwide for AI ecosystem (4/26)
Top 5 nationwide for Pharma and life sciences (5/26)

Context

One of the world's largest biomanufacturing sites (Lonza, Visp).
Bilingual German and French canton.
Leading AI research.
Economy closely tied to tourism, with seasonal jobs.

Key figures

Indicator	Value	Rank	Switzerland
Taxes
Tax burden at CHF 100,000 gross	15.04%	17/26	13.82%
Top marginal income tax rate	36.50%	17/26	33.04%
Corporate tax	17.12%	24/26	14.43%
Wealth tax	6.3‰	21/26
Jobs
Median wage (region)	6,998 CHF/month	11/26	7,024 CHF/month
Registered unemployment	3.4%	20/26	3.0%
GDP per capita	61,387 CHF	25/26
Cost of living
Fixed monthly cost (rent + insurance)	1,751 CHF/month	8/26	1,966 CHF/month
Average rent, 3-4 room flat	1,289 CHF/month	7/26	1,478 CHF/month
Average health premium 2027	390 CHF/month	14/26	412 CHF/month
Vacant homes	1.18%	7/26	1.00%
Sectors
Pharma and life sciences	6/10	5/26
Tech and software	3/10	12/26
AI ecosystem	5/10	4/26
Finance and insurance	2/10	12/26
Engineering and industry	5/10	15/26
Languages
Speak English	4.1%		6.7%
Speak German	25.0%		62.3%
Speak French	67.0%		22.6%
Speak Italian	4.4%		8.3%
Train
Train to Zurich	2 h 40 min	25/26
Train to Basel	2 h 35 min	23/26
Train to Bern	1 h 25 min	12/26
Train to Geneva	1 h 35 min	5/26
Population
Population	376,113 inhab.
Population density	72 people/km²
Foreign nationals	25.9%		27.4%
Population growth	+1.3%

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

Lonza Visp Pharma and biotech · Visp
Syngenta Monthey Pharma and biotech · Monthey

Universities and institutes

Idiap Research institute · Martigny

Main cities

Sion 35,650 inhab.
Martigny 20,974 inhab.
Monthey 18,446 inhab.
Sierre 17,295 inhab.
Visp ≈ 8,500 inhab.