With the 2025 tax deadline looming ever larger, a new study from Watson has revealed which communities have the highest and lowest rates. They found that even those on comparatively low incomes can save thousands by moving towns.

Which Swiss towns have the highest and lowest taxes?

To create the study, Watson used the latest data from the Federal Tax Administration to see which towns and cities have the highest and lowest rates for tax returns this year. The study only focused on pure federal, cantonal and local income taxes - contributions to social security, wealth, fire brigade and church taxes, and tax deductions were not included.

Generally speaking, the lowest taxes across incomes can be found in central Switzerland, while the highest rates are in western Switzerland. Here’s what the findings mean for different income groups:

Low to middle-income earners have the least to pay in Zug

For single people with a salary of 50.000 francs a year, Canton Zug offers the lowest taxes in Switzerland. In the town of Baar, those with this income can expect to pay 1.173 francs for the 2024 tax year. It was followed by Zug itself (1.182 francs), Walchwil (1.189 francs), Steinhausen (1.196) and Risch (1.203), all of which are in the region.

Though Zug is often highly regarded for its high quality of life and extremely low taxes, the high demand and low supply of housing make it one of the least affordable places to live. In December 2024, the Federal Statistical Office found that a quarter of Zug’s local population had left the canton since 2014, mainly due to high rental costs.

Middle incomes could save 10.000 francs in taxes by moving towns

By contrast, the most expensive place for 50.000-franc earners is Canton Bern, specifically the town of Schelten where they are expected to pay 6.582 francs in taxes. The Bernese towns of Courtelary (6.509 francs), Hasliberg (6.460 francs), Schangnau (6.460 francs) and Sonvilier (6.424 francs) rounded out the top five.

Interestingly, the five towns with the cheapest taxes for those who earn 80.000 francs are the same as for 50.000 francs. Those in Baar in this wage category were found to have a tax burden of 3.519 francs.

This means that those who earn the median wage in Switzerland could save more than 10.000 francs in tax if they moved to Baar from Enges or Les Verrières in Canton Neuchâtel. There, 80.000-franc wage workers have to pay 13.801 francs in taxes. The Neuchâteloise villages of Les Planchettes (13.738 francs), Cressier and Lignières (both 13.674 francs) followed.

Canton Schwyz the best tax region for high earners

The tax picture only starts to change among the very high earners. For singles earning 200.000 francs a year, the Schwyz community of Freienbach is the cheapest at 21.082 francs. The Schwyz towns of Feusisberg and Wollerau took joint second (21.379 francs), with Baar (23.671 francs) and Zug (23.799 francs) completing the top five.

In fact, the same high earners would pay double the amount of tax in Valais, with Leukerbad taking first place with 55.926 francs. Other communities in the mountains followed, namely Blatten and Kippel (both 55.537 francs).

Zug offers the best taxes for families, Neuchâtel the worst

Finally, for families with two children and a combined annual income of 150.000 francs, Canton Zug is the place to go. The cheapest place for taxes is Baar once again, coming in at 2.250 francs, with Zug (2.261) and Walchwil (2.269 francs) rounding out the podium.

By contrast, the same family would have to pay nine times more in taxes in the Neuchâtel communities of Enges and Les Verrières. There, they would expect to pay 20.366 francs in taxes this year. The nearby town of Les Planchettes completed the top three with a tax burden of 20.269 francs.

Discover how much you will pay in tax this year

For more information about the data, and to see how your tax rates compare, check out the official tax calculator offered by the Federal Tax Administration.