Living and working in Zug

Population 2025: 135,018 inhab.
Capital: Zug
Official language: German
Region: Central Switzerland
Area: 239 km²
Estimated net salary (100k): 83,757 CHF
Borders: No international border

On a gross salary of CHF 100,000 a year, the tax burden in Zug is 5.63%: rank 1 of 26 (Swiss average: 13.82%).

See Zug on the interactive map →

Strengths

Top 5 nationwide for Tax burden at CHF 100,000 gross (1/26)
Top 5 nationwide for Top marginal income tax rate (1/26)
Top 5 nationwide for Average health premium 2027 (1/26)
Top 5 nationwide for Corporate tax (2/26)

Watch out

Among the 5 least favourable for Fixed monthly cost (rent + insurance) (26/26)
Among the 5 least favourable for Average rent, 3-4 room flat (26/26)
Among the 5 least favourable for Vacant homes (25/26)

Context

Among the lowest taxes in the country.
Notable pharma and life-sciences cluster.
Crypto Valley: blockchain and fintech.
Global hub for commodity trading.
Very tight housing market: expect competition for every flat.
Health premium cut in 2026-2027: the canton pays 99% of hospital costs.

Key figures

Indicator	Value	Rank	Switzerland
Taxes
Tax burden at CHF 100,000 gross	5.63%	1/26	13.82%
Top marginal income tax rate	21.90%	1/26	33.04%
Corporate tax	11.71%	2/26	14.43%
Wealth tax	2.3‰	5/26
Jobs
Median wage (region)	7,092 CHF/month	5/26	7,024 CHF/month
Registered unemployment	2.8%	13/26	3.0%
GDP per capita	192,958 CHF	2/26
Cost of living
Fixed monthly cost (rent + insurance)	2,235 CHF/month	26/26	1,966 CHF/month
Average rent, 3-4 room flat	1,908 CHF/month	26/26	1,478 CHF/month
Average health premium 2027	276 CHF/month	1/26	412 CHF/month
Vacant homes	0.42%	25/26	1.00%
Sectors
Pharma and life sciences	7/10	3/26
Tech and software	6/10	3/26
AI ecosystem	4/10	7/26
Finance and insurance	7/10	3/26
Engineering and industry	5/10	15/26
Languages
Speak English	13.0%		6.7%
Speak German	79.4%		62.3%
Speak French	3.3%		22.6%
Speak Italian	4.3%		8.3%
Train
Train to Zurich	25 min	2/26
Train to Basel	1 h 20 min	10/26
Train to Bern	1 h 25 min	12/26
Train to Geneva	2 h 55 min	14/26
Population
Population	135,018 inhab.
Population density	565 people/km²
Foreign nationals	30.5%		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

Roche Diagnostics Medtech and diagnostics · Rotkreuz
Biogen Pharma and biotech · Baar
Johnson & Johnson Pharma and biotech · Zug
Galderma Pharma and biotech · Zug · Headquarters
Crypto Valley Tech and AI · Zug
Sika Engineering and industry · Baar · Headquarters
Holcim Engineering and industry · Zug · Headquarters
Siemens Smart Infrastructure Engineering and industry · Zug · Headquarters
Landis+Gyr Engineering and industry · Cham · Headquarters
Partners Group Finance and insurance · Baar · Headquarters
Glencore Consumer and commodities · Baar · Headquarters

Living and working in Zug

Strengths

Watch out

Context

Key figures

Taxes

Companies on the map

Universities and institutes

Main cities

Other cantons

Sources