Study on income: What regions have the most favorable costs of living?

(Swiss Issues Regionen study)
What already became apparent in a first study published by Credit Suisse in 2006 was confirmed in the new Credit Suisse study of November 2008: Winterthur is the only major Swiss city with above-average values in terms of disposable income. Differences in taxation are frequently highlighted. Yet it is the disposable income that remains the key financial criterion for the selection of a place of residence. The Regional Disposable Income (RDI) indicator summarizes the related values covering a broad bandwidth of households.

Winterthur is the only major city in Switzerland with above-average RDI values, which underscores its attractiveness  as a place of residence. Switzerland’s sixth-largest city stands out among its peers for its affordable real estate prices, comparatively low tax rates, below-average electricity costs and health insurance premiums on a lower level than other cities. 
The study underlines that Winterthur is a location where quality of life and living can be had at more favorable price than in other urban centers.
 
Source: Credit Suisse, 2008: Swiss Issues Regionen – Wo lebt es sich am günstigsten?
(Swiss issues, regions - what regions have the most favorable cost of living?)
Das verfügbare Einkommen in der Schweiz (Disposable income in Switzerland)
Issued by: Credit Suisse Economic Research
The complete study can be accessed here (PDF, 1.8 MB) (only in german available).  

Taxation

Winterthur is well positioned in comparison with other major Swiss cities as far as tax is concerned. Together with Zurich, it figures among those with the most favorable rates. In an international comparison, too, tax rates are highly competitive both for natural persons and for legal entities. 
 
Moderate tax rates for natural persons too
Winterthur has moderate tax rates for natural persons in comparison with other cities, cantons and countries. In Switzerland, federal tax is calculated on the same basis throughout the country. In addition, cantonal, municipal and church tax is levied.
 
The 2011 tax multipliers for Winterthur amount to:
• Cantonal tax (Canton of Zurich): 100%
• Municipal tax: 122%
• Protestant church tax: 13%
• Roman Catholic church tax: 16%
• Old Catholic church tax: 14%

For further information from the Winterthur tax office (Steueramt der Stadt Winterthur) click here (öffnet neues Fenster).
 
Online tax calculation:
Steueramt der Stadt Winterthur (öffnet neues Fenster) (Municipal tax office)
Steueramt des Kantons Zürich (öffnet neues Fenster) (Cantonal tax office)
Eidgenössische Steuerverwaltung - Steuerrechner (öffnet neues Fenster) (Federal tax office)
 
Tax comparison

A family with two children and a gross annual income of CHF 100,000 pays around CHF 6,260 in tax, made up of cantonal, municipal and church tax (married couple, single income, two children). A gross annual income of CHF 200,000 entails a tax bill of about CHF 23,500.
Source: Eidgenössische Steuerverwaltung, 2010.

Rent and purchase prices

* Room numbers include living room, but exclude bathroom and kitchen.
**Source: Immo-Monitoring 2013/2, Wüest & Partner, (0.5 quantile), as of 4nd quarter 2012

* Room numbers include living room, but exclude bathroom and kitchen.
**Source: Immo-Monitoring 2013/2, Wüest & Partner, (0.5 quantile), as of 4nd quarter 2012

Healthcare

Winterthur has a highly advanced healthcare system. A large number of doctors, various family doctor programs, home care services and pharmacies in every neighbourhood guarantee excellent medical care. The local cantonal hospital (Kantonsspital Winterthur) and the private hospital (Lindberg Klinik) with their specialized wards and 24 hour emergency rooms complete the wide array of health services. There are also several health insurance companies domiciled in Winterthur.

Downloads

CS-Studie Swiss Issues Regions(PDF, 1.1 MB) (only in german available)