City of Zürich vs. City of Zug
Two municipalities compared directly — with the exact tax figures, not the cantonal average.
| Metric | ZürichZH | ZugZGcheaper |
|---|---|---|
| Tax at CHF 60'000 single, 35, no children, no confession | CHF 4'657/year | CHF 1'736/year |
| Tax at CHF 80'000 | CHF 7'945/year | CHF 3'339/year |
| Tax at CHF 100'000 | CHF 11'848/year | CHF 5'321/year |
| Tax at CHF 120'000 | CHF 16'346/year | CHF 7'927/year |
| Municipal tax multiplier | 119 % | 52 % |
| Rank within the canton | 142 / 160 | 3 / 11 |
| Rent, 3 rooms | CHF 1'538/mo. | CHF 1'686/mo. |
| Health insurance | CHF 442/mo. | CHF 253/mo. |
Rent and health insurance are cantonal values and identical for two municipalities of the same canton — the tax figures are municipality-exact. Method
Is the move from Zürich to Zug worth it?
Moving from Zürich to Zug saves CHF 4'606 in tax per year on a gross salary of CHF 80'000. Rent and health insurance together cost CHF 497 less per year in Zug (+1'776 rent, −2'273 insurance). On balance the move stays positive across the whole measured range: CHF +3'418 per year at a salary of 60'000, CHF +8'916 at 120'000.
| Gross salary | Tax gain Zug | Extra cost | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHF 60'000 | +2'921 | +497 | +3'418 |
| CHF 80'000 | +4'606 | +497 | +5'103 |
| CHF 100'000 | +6'527 | +497 | +7'024 |
| CHF 120'000 | +8'419 | +497 | +8'916 |
Moving: what to do, and when
The date that decides a whole tax year
When you move to another canton, the canton you live in on 31 December taxes the entire year (Art. 68 para. 1 StHG). Moving from Zürich to Zug on 20 December rather than 5 January therefore shifts a full year of tax — at a gross salary of CHF 80,000, about CHF 4'606.
Checklist and deadlines
- Deregistering and registeringusually 14 days
Deregister at the old municipality, register at the new one — with your certificate of origin and the tenancy agreement. The municipality sets the deadline; 14 days is common, some require 8.
- Health insuranceimmediately
Report the address: the basic-insurance premium depends on where you live, and it almost always changes when you change canton.
- Vehicle and driving licenceusually 14 days
Change of address at the road traffic office. Changing canton also means new number plates and a new vehicle registration document.
- Give notice on the flatusually 3 months
The local notice period, to the next local moving date. It is in the tenancy agreement — and the later you look, the more the double rent costs.
- Mail forwarding orderbefore the move
Covers the time it takes authorities, insurers and your employer to record the new address.
- Tax returnthe following year
After a change of canton it comes from the new canton — for the whole year, including the months spent in the old one.
What the move costs
Work out taxes, rent and health insurance for the destination before the moving date is fixed.
Calculate the move →Deadlines are guidance and are set by the municipality and canton. No warranty is given.
More municipality comparisons
Non-binding estimates. Not tax or financial advice. Without guarantee — no substitute for individual professional advice.