City Comparison · Updated Jul 2026
Switzerland
COL index —
Italy
COL index 70.4
Geneva vs Milan — Cost of Living, Salary & Tax Compared (2026)
The verdict
Comparing Geneva and Milan.
Based on Q1 2026 COL index and median single-person expenditure.
Side-by-side stats
| Geneva | Metric | Milan | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | Cost of living index | 70.4 | — |
| €50,000 | Median gross salary | €50,000 | 0.0% |
| €44,757 | Net at €50,000 gross | €32,873 | -26.6% |
| — | Rent — 1BR centre | €1,920 | — |
| — | Monthly COL (single) | €2,640 | — |
| — | PPP — net / COL | €46,695 | — |
| 10.5% | Effective tax @ €50,000 | 34.3% | +226.7% |
Monthly expenses — paired
Salary equivalence
€50,000 gross in Switzerland = €3,730 net monthly.
Purchasing-power equivalence requires COL data for both cities.
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Pros & cons
- +Favourable tax rate (10.5%)
- −High rent-to-income ratio (70.1%)
The verdict
Across the data, Geneva delivers a higher take-home on a €50,000 gross salary; Geneva has the lighter effective tax burden. Weighing it all, neither city dominates outright.
Frequently asked
Is Geneva cheaper than Milan?+
Index data is incomplete for both cities.
What is the cost of living difference between Geneva and Milan?+
Not enough COL data for both cities yet.
Is Geneva a good place to live compared to Milan?+
It depends on priorities. Geneva delivers €44,757 net on a €50,000 gross salary at a 10.5% effective tax rate. Milan delivers €32,873 at 34.3%.
How do salaries compare in Geneva vs Milan?+
On a €50,000 gross salary, take-home is €44,757/year (€3,730/month) in Geneva and €32,873/year (€2,739/month) in Milan.
Which city has lower taxes, Geneva or Milan?+
Switzerland has the lower effective rate at €50,000: Switzerland 10.5%, Italy 34.3%.