Two offers, side by side
A higher salary does not always mean more money each month. Enter two salaries and where you would live to compare your household’s disposable income after tax, rent and health insurance.
The result
Offer A, Aargau
Estimated disposable income per month*
CHF 5’423
▲ Higher disposable income
Offer B, Basel-Stadt
Estimated disposable income per month*
CHF 5’244
Difference
CHF 179 a month
Offer A, Aargau: CHF 179 more disposable income per month, CHF 2’154 per year.
Offer B pays the higher salary, but results in lower disposable income.
Where each salary goes
Both bars use the same scale: a longer bar is a higher gross salary.
Line by line
Offer A, Aargau, leftOffer B, Basel-Stadt, right
Gross salary per month
CHF 9’583CHF 10’000Offer B: CHF 417 more
Social insurance
CHF 881CHF 908Offer A: CHF 27 less
Income tax (estimate)*
CHF 648CHF 933Offer A: CHF 285 less
Typical rent, 3–4 rooms
CHF 1’554CHF 1’593Offer A: CHF 39 less
Health insurance (average)
CHF 1’051CHF 1’296Offer A: CHF 245 less
Disposable income per month*
CHF 5’423CHF 5’244Offer A: CHF 179 more
* Income tax is estimated with the official calculator of the Federal Tax Administration (ESTV) for each cantonal capital, tax year 2026, without church tax, for one income. In other communes it can be higher or lower; foreign employees without a C permit are taxed at source under separate tariffs.
Money is not the only factor: commuting time, schools and language matter too. Rent: the canton’s typical 3–4-room flat for every household size, which may understate the rent for larger families. Service charges and living expenses are not included. If you own your home, your costs and income tax differ (mortgage interest, imputed rental value); the Offer Decision Report includes them.
What you can do here
The calculators are open to everyone. A free account keeps your work on every device; the paid products look at your own case.
Without an account
- The difference in disposable income per month and per year
- Where each salary goes, line by line
Free account
- Up to 10 comparisons saved and reopened on any device
- Your household and canton filled in from your account
Offer Decision Report and Swiss Year Planner
- Your own rent and tax rate, with official wage statistics as reference points
- The salary needed to maintain today’s disposable income
- A Contract Clarity Check of the offer letter
Frequently asked questions
Why can a higher salary mean lower disposable income?
Income tax, rent and health insurance differ from canton to canton. A raise of a few thousand francs a year can be outweighed by higher rent or higher premiums where you would live, especially for families.
How exact is the income tax?
It is an estimate for the cantonal capital, made with the official ESTV calculator for the current tax year. In other communes the tax can be higher or lower, and church tax is added if you are a member. For an exact figure, use the ESTV calculator with your commune.
Can I compare more than two offers?
Here you compare two at a time, with average costs. The Offer Decision Report uses your own rent or, if you own your home, your mortgage and running costs and the imputed rental value, your tax rate and costs, and compares up to five municipalities.
Sources: Federal Statistical Office (rents, 2024), Federal Office of Public Health (premiums 2027), Federal Tax Administration (income tax 2026, cantonal capitals), DETEC (radio and television fee 2027), social insurance rates 2026. Reviewed in November 2026. These are estimates for guidance only and do not constitute tax or financial advice. How the figures are calculated