City Comparison · Updated Jul 2026
Switzerland
COL index —
Austria
COL index 66.8
Geneva vs Vienna — Cost of Living, Salary & Tax Compared (2026)
The verdict
Comparing Geneva and Vienna.
Based on Q1 2026 COL index and median single-person expenditure.
Side-by-side stats
| Geneva | Metric | Vienna | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | Cost of living index | 66.8 | — |
| €50,000 | Median gross salary | €50,000 | 0.0% |
| €44,757 | Net at €50,000 gross | €32,660 | -27.0% |
| — | Rent — 1BR centre | €1,480 | — |
| — | Monthly COL (single) | €2,165 | — |
| — | PPP — net / COL | €48,893 | — |
| 10.5% | Effective tax @ €50,000 | 34.7% | +230.7% |
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 (54.4%)
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 Vienna?+
Index data is incomplete for both cities.
What is the cost of living difference between Geneva and Vienna?+
Not enough COL data for both cities yet.
Is Geneva a good place to live compared to Vienna?+
It depends on priorities. Geneva delivers €44,757 net on a €50,000 gross salary at a 10.5% effective tax rate. Vienna delivers €32,660 at 34.7%.
How do salaries compare in Geneva vs Vienna?+
On a €50,000 gross salary, take-home is €44,757/year (€3,730/month) in Geneva and €32,660/year (€2,722/month) in Vienna.
Which city has lower taxes, Geneva or Vienna?+
Switzerland has the lower effective rate at €50,000: Switzerland 10.5%, Austria 34.7%.