St. Gallen vs Basel on CHF 80,000: take-home pay, rent and cost of living in 2026
On a gross salary of CHF 80,000 a year, a single employee takes home CHF 5,350 a month in St. Gallen (80% of gross) and CHF 5,166 a month in Basel (77%), after income tax and social security contributions.
Basel is 1% cheaper than St. Gallen overall (cost-of-living index 77.8 vs 78.2, New York = 100). A one-bedroom flat in the city centre rents for about CHF 1,654 a month in Basel and CHF 1,472 in St. Gallen, which leaves CHF 3,511 and CHF 3,878 of take-home pay after rent. Keeping the same standard of living and saving 15% of your pay would cost about CHF 4,524 a month in Basel — this salary leaves CHF 641 a month on top.
By category, groceries cost 7% less in Basel than in St. Gallen, eating out 1% more and rent 10% more.
| St. Gallen | Basel | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross salary per year | CHF 80,000 | CHF 80,000 |
| Take-home pay per month | CHF 5,350 | CHF 5,166 |
| One-bedroom rent, city centre | CHF 1,472 | CHF 1,654 |
| Left after rent | CHF 3,878 | CHF 3,511 |
| Cost-of-living index (New York = 100) | 78.2 | 77.8 |
How each figure is taxed: Switzerland tax calculator and Switzerland tax calculator. Single employee without children; rent and price data from Numbeo, refreshed monthly.
Questions about St. Gallen vs Basel
Is Basel, Switzerland more expensive than St. Gallen, Switzerland?
Basel, Switzerland is 1% cheaper than St. Gallen, Switzerland overall. On a gross salary of CHF 80,000 a year, you take home CHF 5,350 a month in St. Gallen, Switzerland and CHF 5,166 a month in Basel, Switzerland after income tax and social contributions.
How much can I save living in Basel, Switzerland vs St. Gallen, Switzerland?
Keeping the same standard of living as in St. Gallen, Switzerland, you could save about CHF 641 a month (CHF 7,696 a year) in Basel, Switzerland on this salary, after rent and living costs.
What taxes will I pay in Switzerland vs Switzerland?
On CHF 80,000 gross a year you take home CHF 5,350 a month in Switzerland and CHF 5,166 a month in Switzerland. The calculation applies each country's 2026 income tax and social security rules for a single employee.