📅 Last updated: 2026-02-24

Cost of Living in Thun for a Family (2026) – Salary, Rent, Taxes & Savings

Thun offers families Alpine lifestyle with excellent value. This assessment calculates family expenses including children's health insurance, larger apartments, and outdoor activities. With safe neighborhoods and nature access, Thun is ideal for families seeking active Swiss living.

With a gross salary of CHF 18’000, a family in Thun can expect to save CHF 6’239–CHF 8’219 per month, placing them above the Swiss urban comfort threshold.
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Real calculator output for a family in Thun

Based on real Swiss cantonal tax logic, housing indices, and mandatory health insurance baselines.

📍 Thun 👤 Family 💰 CHF 18’000/month
In Thun, fixed costs consume approximately 29% of a family's gross income, which is 2% higher than the Swiss average of ~27% (using Swiss Average as a reference baseline).
Gross Salary
CHF 18’000
Monthly income
Base salary input
Estimated Taxes
CHF 4’590 – CHF 6’570
26% – 37% rate
Derived from Bern cantonal logic
Housing
CHF 2’080
City center rent
Based on Thun rental index
Health Insurance
CHF 863
Mandatory coverage
Bern cantonal premium baseline
Living Costs
CHF 2’248
Food, transport, lifestyle
Weighted by local indices
Monthly Savings
CHF 6’239 – CHF 8’219
After all expenses
Net of taxes and costs
Taxes and Housing together account for approximately 71% of total costs in Thun.
For a family in Thun, taxes represents the largest monthly expense at CHF 5’580, followed by housing at CHF 2’080. Canton Bern's high tax rates and competitive housing market create this cost structure.
Category Monthly Amount Context
Gross Monthly Salary CHF 18’000 Base salary input for family
Taxes (cantonal & federal) −CHF 4’590to−CHF 6’570 Canton Bern: 26%–37% rate
Rent (city center) −CHF 2’080 Thun market rate (3+ bedroom)
Health Insurance −CHF 863 Bern base premium (includes child premiums)
Food & Groceries −CHF 927 Local price index × 3 occupants
Transport −CHF 72 Thun public transport pass
Utilities −CHF 195 Adjusted for 3 occupants
Lifestyle −CHF 1’054 Medium tier × Thun multiplier
Estimated Monthly Savings CHF 6’239toCHF 8’219 Net after all deductions

Small changes in rent or tax canton can shift monthly savings by several hundred CHF.

⚠️ Note: These estimates are derived from cantonal tax logic, local housing indices, and health insurance baseline models. Your actual costs depend on specific deductions, insurance choices, and lifestyle. Use our calculator for a personalized assessment with your exact inputs.

Example Scenario: A professional earning CHF 18’000/month in Thun retains approximately CHF 6’239–8’219 after all expenses. The same salary in Zürich would retain CHF 4’614–6’414 — Thun offers CHF 1’715/month more (CHF 20’580/year).

Why Thun Is More or Less Expensive Than Other Swiss Cities

Understanding what makes Thun unique helps you evaluate if it's the right fit for your relocation.

Compared to Bern, Thun offers approximately CHF 758 higher monthly savings at the same gross salary. Compared to Lucerne, housing is lower but overall savings remain competitive.

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Tax Rates

For professionals weighing Thun against Swiss Average, Swiss Average offers lower taxes by approximately CHF 1035/month. However, Thun may compensate through other factors like housing or lifestyle costs.

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Housing Market

Thun vs Swiss Average housing: Thun requires CHF 802/month more for housing than Swiss Average. Families should weigh this against school quality and neighborhood amenities.

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Health Insurance

Canton Bern vs Swiss Average: lower premiums than Swiss Average (CHF 380 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.

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Living 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.

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Transport

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.

Lifestyle & Entertainment

Thun vs Swiss Average: lower entertainment costs than Swiss Average (0.98× vs 1.02× multiplier). Professionals choosing Thun for savings can reallocate CHF 2492/month toward lifestyle upgrades or accelerated wealth building.

Frequently Asked Questions

Thun is affordable by Swiss standards. A 4-room apartment costs CHF 1,700-2,100.
Families earning CHF 18,000 combined spend approximately CHF 8,500-10,500 monthly, leaving CHF 7,500-9,500 in savings.
A combined gross of CHF 14,000-18,000 provides savings of CHF 6,000-9,000 monthly.
Schools teach in German with integration support. Bern international schools are accessible.
Excellent. Lake swimming, hiking, skiing—Thun is paradise for active families.

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