Thun offers couples Alpine lifestyle with Bern accessibility. This assessment calculates combined expenses for two adults in the Bernese Oberland gateway. With lakeside living and excellent outdoor recreation, Thun is ideal for active couples seeking value.
Real calculator output for a couple in Thun
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 4’320to−CHF 6’080 | Canton Bern: 27%–38% rate |
| Rent (city center) | −CHF 1’600 | Thun market rate (2-bedroom) |
| Health Insurance | −CHF 760 | Bern base premium |
| Food & Groceries | −CHF 713 | Local price index × 2 occupants |
| Transport | −CHF 72 | Thun public transport pass |
| Utilities | −CHF 173 | Adjusted for 2 occupants |
| Lifestyle | −CHF 735 | Medium tier × Thun multiplier |
| Estimated Monthly Savings | CHF 5’867toCHF 7’627 | 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 Thun retains approximately CHF 5’867–7’627 after all expenses. The same salary in Zürich would retain CHF 4’662–6’262 — Thun offers CHF 1’285/month more (CHF 15’420/year).
Understanding what makes Thun unique helps you evaluate if it's the right fit for your relocation.
Compared to Bern, Thun offers approximately CHF 579 higher monthly savings at the same gross salary. Compared to Lucerne, housing is lower but overall savings remain competitive.
For professionals weighing Thun against Swiss Average, Swiss Average offers lower taxes by approximately CHF 1160/month. However, Thun may compensate through other factors like housing or lifestyle costs.
Thun vs Swiss Average housing: Thun requires CHF 322/month more for housing than Swiss Average. Couples sharing costs may find this trade-off acceptable for career benefits.
Canton Bern vs Swiss Average: lower premiums than Swiss Average (CHF 380 vs CHF 383 base). Couples pay double premiums, amplifying canton differences. Choose cantons with lower base premiums to optimize household costs.
Thun vs Swiss average: lower food costs than Swiss Average (99% vs 101% of baseline). While individual purchases differ modestly, cumulative grocery and dining expenses add CHF 50–150/month variance between Swiss cities.
Thun vs Swiss Average: slightly higher transport costs than Swiss Average (CHF 72 vs CHF 67). With excellent Swiss public transit, most professionals avoid car ownership—a decision that saves CHF 500–800/month versus driving.
Thun vs Swiss Average: lower entertainment costs than Swiss Average (0.98× vs 1.02× multiplier). Professionals choosing Thun for savings can reallocate CHF 2010/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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