Obwalden offers families affordable Alpine living with excellent schools and year-round outdoor activities. This assessment calculates family expenses in this picturesque Central Swiss canton. Safe communities and strong schools make Obwalden ideal for nature-loving families.
Real calculator output for a family in Obwalden
Based on real Swiss cantonal tax logic, housing indices, and mandatory health insurance baselines.
| Category | Monthly Amount | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Monthly Salary | CHF 18’000 | Base salary input for family |
| Taxes (cantonal & federal) | −CHF 3’330to−CHF 4’950 | Canton Obwalden: 19%–28% rate |
| Rent (city center) | −CHF 2’210 | Obwalden market rate (3+ bedroom) |
| Health Insurance | −CHF 760 | Obwalden base premium (includes child premiums) |
| Food & Groceries | −CHF 917 | Local price index × 3 occupants |
| Transport | −CHF 58 | Obwalden public transport pass |
| Utilities | −CHF 195 | Adjusted for 3 occupants |
| Lifestyle | −CHF 989 | Medium tier × Obwalden multiplier |
| Estimated Monthly Savings | CHF 7’921toCHF 9’541 | Net after all deductions |
Small changes in rent or tax canton can shift monthly savings by several hundred CHF.
Example Scenario: A professional earning CHF 18’000/month in Obwalden retains approximately CHF 7’921–9’541 after all expenses. The same salary in Zürich would retain CHF 4’614–6’414 — Obwalden offers CHF 3’217/month more (CHF 38’604/year).
Understanding what makes Obwalden unique helps you evaluate if it's the right fit for your relocation.
Compared to Zürich, Obwalden offers approximately CHF 3’217 higher monthly savings at the same gross salary. Compared to Genève, housing is lower but overall savings remain stronger.
For professionals weighing Obwalden against Swiss Average, Obwalden delivers a stronger after-tax position—up to CHF 405 less in monthly taxes. This makes Obwalden the rational choice for income-focused relocators.
Obwalden vs Swiss Average housing: Obwalden requires CHF 932/month more for housing than Swiss Average. Families should weigh this against school quality and neighborhood amenities.
Canton Obwalden vs Swiss Average: lower premiums than Swiss Average (CHF 335 vs CHF 383 base). Families pay adult premiums plus reduced child rates, multiplying the impact. Choose cantons with lower base premiums to optimize household costs.
Obwalden vs Swiss average: lower food costs than Swiss Average (100% vs 101% of baseline). While individual purchases differ modestly, cumulative grocery and dining expenses add CHF 50–150/month variance between Swiss cities.
Obwalden vs Swiss Average: lower transport costs than Swiss Average (CHF 58 vs CHF 67). With excellent Swiss public transit, most professionals avoid car ownership—a decision that saves CHF 500–800/month versus driving.
Obwalden vs Swiss Average: lower entertainment costs than Swiss Average (1.00× vs 1.02× multiplier). Professionals choosing Obwalden for savings can reallocate CHF 3994/month toward lifestyle upgrades or accelerated wealth building.
See how changing city, salary, and household type impacts your real monthly savings.
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