Schaffhausen offers couples excellent value with affordable housing and moderate taxes in northern Switzerland. This assessment calculates combined living expenses for two adults. With easy access to Zürich and Germany, Schaffhausen provides career flexibility while keeping costs low. Calculate your expected monthly expenses to plan your joint relocation.
Real calculator output for a couple in Schaffhausen
Based on real Swiss cantonal tax logic, housing indices, and mandatory health insurance baselines.
| Category | Monthly Amount | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Monthly Salary | CHF 16’000 | Base salary input for couple |
| Taxes (cantonal & federal) | −CHF 4’000to−CHF 5’600 | Canton Schaffhausen: 25%–35% rate |
| Rent (city center) | −CHF 1’700 | Schaffhausen market rate (2-bedroom) |
| Health Insurance | −CHF 790 | Schaffhausen base premium |
| Food & Groceries | −CHF 720 | Local price index × 2 occupants |
| Transport | −CHF 68 | Schaffhausen public transport pass |
| Utilities | −CHF 173 | Adjusted for 2 occupants |
| Lifestyle | −CHF 713 | Medium tier × Schaffhausen multiplier |
| Estimated Monthly Savings | CHF 6’236toCHF 7’836 | 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 16’000/month in Schaffhausen retains approximately CHF 6’236–7’836 after all expenses. The same salary in Zürich would retain CHF 4’662–6’262 — Schaffhausen offers CHF 1’574/month more (CHF 18’888/year).
Understanding what makes Schaffhausen unique helps you evaluate if it's the right fit for your relocation.
Compared to Zürich, Schaffhausen offers approximately CHF 1’574 higher monthly savings at the same gross salary. Compared to Winterthur, housing is lower but overall savings remain stronger.
For professionals weighing Schaffhausen against Swiss Average, Swiss Average offers lower taxes by approximately CHF 760/month. However, Schaffhausen may compensate through other factors like housing or lifestyle costs.
Schaffhausen vs Swiss Average housing: Schaffhausen requires CHF 422/month more for housing than Swiss Average. Couples sharing costs may find this trade-off acceptable for career benefits.
Canton Schaffhausen vs Swiss Average: higher premiums than Swiss Average (CHF 395 vs CHF 383 base). Couples pay double premiums, amplifying canton differences. Choose cantons with lower base premiums to optimize household costs.
Schaffhausen 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.
Schaffhausen vs Swiss Average: slightly higher transport costs than Swiss Average (CHF 68 vs CHF 67). With excellent Swiss public transit, most professionals avoid car ownership—a decision that saves CHF 500–800/month versus driving.
Schaffhausen vs Swiss Average: lower entertainment costs than Swiss Average (0.95× vs 1.02× multiplier). Professionals choosing Schaffhausen for savings can reallocate CHF 2299/month toward lifestyle upgrades or accelerated wealth building.
See how changing city, salary, and household type impacts your real monthly savings.
Start Free Calculator