Living and working in Vaud

Population 2025: 863,650 inhab.
Capital: Lausanne
Official language: French
Region: Lake Geneva region
Area: 3,212 km²
Estimated net salary (100k): 72,387 CHF
Borders: France

On a gross salary of CHF 100,000 a year, the tax burden in Lausanne is 17.00%: rank 24 of 26 (Swiss average: 13.82%).

See Vaud on the interactive map →

Strengths

Top 5 nationwide for Tech and software (2/26)
Top 5 nationwide for AI ecosystem (2/26)
Top 5 nationwide for Pharma and life sciences (3/26)

Watch out

Among the 5 least favourable for Tax burden at CHF 100,000 gross (24/26)
Among the 5 least favourable for Top marginal income tax rate (24/26)
Among the 5 least favourable for Registered unemployment (24/26)
Among the 5 least favourable for Average rent, 3-4 room flat (22/26)

Context

Top-tier universities and research institutes.
Startup ecosystem around the universities.
Notable pharma and life-sciences cluster.
French is essential in daily life.

Key figures

Indicator	Value	Rank	Switzerland
Taxes
Tax burden at CHF 100,000 gross	17.00%	24/26	13.82%
Top marginal income tax rate	41.50%	24/26	33.04%
Corporate tax	14.72%	17/26	14.43%
Wealth tax	7.9‰	24/26
Jobs
Median wage (region)	6,998 CHF/month	11/26	7,024 CHF/month
Registered unemployment	4.9%	24/26	3.0%
GDP per capita	78,021 CHF	12/26
Cost of living
Fixed monthly cost (rent + insurance)	2,073 CHF/month	21/26	1,966 CHF/month
Average rent, 3-4 room flat	1,535 CHF/month	22/26	1,478 CHF/month
Average health premium 2027	455 CHF/month	20/26	412 CHF/month
Vacant homes	0.89%	14/26	1.00%
Sectors
Pharma and life sciences	7/10	3/26
Tech and software	7/10	2/26
AI ecosystem	8/10	2/26
Finance and insurance	4/10	8/26
Engineering and industry	5/10	15/26
Languages
Speak English	9.1%		6.7%
Speak German	5.1%		62.3%
Speak French	82.4%		22.6%
Speak Italian	5.0%		8.3%
Train
Train to Zurich	2 h 10 min	24/26
Train to Basel	2 h 10 min	21/26
Train to Bern	1 h 05 min	10/26
Train to Geneva	35 min	2/26
Population
Population	863,650 inhab.
Population density	269 people/km²
Foreign nationals	34.0%		27.4%
Population growth	+1.0%

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

Medtronic Medtech and diagnostics · Tolochenaz
Ferring Pharma and biotech · Saint-Prex · Headquarters
Debiopharm Pharma and biotech · Lausanne · Headquarters
Logitech Tech and AI · Lausanne · Headquarters
Bobst Engineering and industry · Mex · Headquarters
Nestlé Consumer and commodities · Vevey · Headquarters
Philip Morris International Consumer and commodities · Lausanne

Universities and institutes

EPFL University · Lausanne
UNIL University · Lausanne

Main cities

Lausanne 141,418 inhab.
Yverdon-les-Bains 29,827 inhab.
Montreux 26,230 inhab.
Nyon 22,465 inhab.
Vevey 19,738 inhab.