Affordability and financial advantages
Cost of Living in Graubünden
Lower fixed costs, greater freedom
Housing market and finances
Housing is generally the largest item in a monthly budget. While owning a home or renting a spacious family apartment has become unaffordable for many skilled professionals in the urban centres of the Swiss lowlands, Graubünden offers fair value for money. Both rents and purchase prices per square metre are significantly lower than in Zurich or Basel. This advantage is complemented by an attractive tax burden.
In recent years, Graubünden has introduced targeted tax relief for families and the middle class. The combination of lower rents and moderate cantonal and municipal taxes provides direct and lasting relief for your household income.
Compare rents and taxes
Based on the example of a family of four with an annual income of CHF 100'000.
Relief on childcare costs and premiums
Family and health
For families, affordability often depends on the cost of supplementary childcare. Graubünden uses a transparent and fair system: thanks to cantonal funding models such as the Quint system and income-based fees, places in day-care centres and school-based day-care programmes remain fully affordable for middle-income households.
Another frequently underestimated item in the household budget is health-insurance premiums. Because Graubünden has a favourable healthcare cost structure compared with the metropolitan areas of German-speaking Switzerland, residents tend to benefit from lower premiums. Costs that weigh heavily on monthly budgets in the lowlands are noticeably reduced in Graubünden.
Compare health-insurance premiums
Based on the example of a family of four with an annual income of CHF 100'000.
Free playgrounds and fair energy prices
Quality of life and resources
The canton is easy on your wallet in your free time as well. In urban centres, sport, recreation and outdoor activities often require expensive memberships or high admission fees. In Graubünden, a first-class recreational landscape begins right outside your door. Whether mountain biking, hiking, cross-country skiing or trail running, Switzerland's largest and most beautiful playgrounds are free to use and offer families and sports enthusiasts a priceless quality of life.
As Switzerland's “water tower”, Graubünden is also located directly at the source of energy generation. This benefits the population: local energy providers, led by Repower AG, ensure a secure electricity supply at fair and stable prices. This protects households from unpredictable price spikes on international markets.
Budget check
Compare municipalities
The financial benefits of moving to another canton can be calculated in black and white. Use the comparison tool at wohnrechner.ch to compare housing and living costs in different municipalities across Graubünden. Calculate your personal savings potential – you may be surprised by how much more quality of life your budget can buy.
