How much will you actually save in Switzerland?

Understand your savings estimate

Use the calculator to explore how your monthly income and expenses affect the money you have left. Change the figures to compare a different rent, location or spending plan.

How the calculation works

1. Monthly gross income × assumed deduction rate = estimated deductions.
2. Gross income − estimated deductions = estimated remaining income.
3. Estimated remaining income − entered monthly expenses = estimated savings or shortfall.
4. The annual figure is the monthly result × 12. It assumes the same income and costs each month.

Bonuses, a thirteenth salary, irregular bills and one-off moving costs are not automatically included. If you want to model annual income, divide your total annual gross amount by 12 and enter that monthly equivalent.

Deduction assumptions used by this tool

The model adds five percentage points for self-employment, subtracts two for the married selection, and subtracts one per child up to three. These are illustrative adjustments inherited from this tool’s model, not statutory deductions or official contribution rates. They cannot establish which location is cheapest for your household. The Basel preset does not distinguish Basel-Stadt from Basel-Landschaft.

For a tax estimate based on your actual circumstances, use the Swiss Federal Tax Administration’s calculator or consult your cantonal tax authority. Use your payslip or employer’s payroll estimate to check social insurance and pension deductions.

How to use the calculator

• 1
  Enter your monthly gross income. Use CHF and include only the income you intend to model. The supported input range is CHF 0–99,999.
• 2
  Choose the available presets. Employment, location and family selections change the simplified deduction assumption. They do not reproduce your tax return.
• 3
  Enter your own expenses. Use the sliders or number fields for rent, health insurance, transport, food, utilities and miscellaneous costs. Include dining in one category only.
• 4
  Try example expenses if you need a starting point. The example button loads illustrative values for the selected location and city type. These are not verified statistical averages. Editing an expense switches the example mode off so later preset changes do not replace your custom budget.
• 5
  Review the result and its limits. Green indicates an estimated surplus and red a shortfall. The chart shows expenses plus positive savings; when there is a shortfall, it shows the expense mix only.

Expenses as a percentage of remaining income are shown without a 150% cap. When estimated remaining income is zero, the percentage is shown as “N/A” rather than a misleading zero.

Build a budget that reflects your household

Replace the examples with actual bills, quotations or a researched budget. Family selections change only the deduction assumption; they do not automatically add childcare, larger housing or insurance for additional family members.

For more context, read the cost-of-living guide, compare Zurich and Geneva living costs, or review the apartment search guide.

A worked example using the starting values

With CHF 7,000 gross monthly income, the Zurich preset, employed status, single status and no children, the model uses an 18% deduction assumption.

This example demonstrates the arithmetic. It is not a forecast of what someone earning CHF 7,000 will actually save after all Swiss deductions.

Review the costs that matter most

• Compare housing and commuting together. A lower rent may come with higher transport costs or a longer journey.
• Check health insurance using your own details. The federal Priminfo comparison service can help you compare premiums.
• Price the transport you will actually use. Compare relevant tickets and travelcards using SBB. Do not assume a nationwide pass is always the best choice.
• Keep a separate allowance for irregular expenses. Moving deposits, holidays, healthcare bills and repairs can change how much of a monthly surplus is genuinely available.
• Check pension rules before budgeting a contribution. Eligibility and limits vary. Use the current official third-pillar guidance. This calculator does not model Pillar 3a tax relief.

Frequently asked questions