Switzerland is 58.4% pricier, but purchasing power is 42.9% stronger. You pay more but earn proportionally more.
Compared to Austria. Green = cheaper or better in Switzerland. All indices relative to NYC = 100.
Every Category, Side by Side
Averaged across 13 cities. All indices relative to NYC = 100.
| Category | 🇦🇹 Austria | 🇨🇭 Switzerland | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living | 71.2 | 112.8 | +58.4% |
| Rent | 25.3 | 51.8 | +104.7% |
| Groceries | 70.7 | 111.2 | +57.3% |
| Restaurants | 72.9 | 120.1 | +64.7% |
| Purchasing Power | 122.8 | 175.5 | +42.9% |
What You Actually Keep After Taxes
Same gross salary, different tax systems. Annual take-home pay in Vienna vs Zurich.
| Gross | 🇦🇹 Net in Austria | 🇨🇭 Net in Switzerland | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| €40,000 | €28,251 | €33,574 | +€5,323 |
| €60,000 | €38,389 | €48,683 | +€10,294 |
| €80,000 | €48,502 | €63,201 | +€14,699 |
| €100,000 | €59,154 | €77,758 | +€18,604 |
Single person, no children. Tax rates for Vienna and Zurich (2026). Try the full calculator
Tax Calculators
Enter your exact numbers and see your real take-home pay in both countries.
Calculate Your Take-Home PayTop Cities in Each Country
National averages hide a lot. These are the cities most people actually move to.
| City | CoL | Rent | PP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vienna | 74.2 | 28.3 | 129.1 |
| Graz | 70.1 | 18.5 | 131.9 |
| Salzburg | 77.4 | 33.8 | 115.6 |
| Innsbruck | 75.4 | 32 | 104.1 |
| Linz | 68.3 | 21.3 | 123.8 |
| City | CoL | Rent | PP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zurich | 121 | 69.6 | 168.4 |
| Geneva | 115.7 | 62.7 | 162.9 |
| Basel | 112.2 | 46 | 187.2 |
| Bern | 106.3 | 42.7 | 186.3 |
| Lucerne | 112.9 | 47.6 | 167.3 |
City-to-City Comparisons
See exact take-home pay for specific cities between Austria and Switzerland.
FAQ
Enter your exact numbers and see your real take-home pay in both countries.