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Cost of living + taxes in Geneva
May 13, 2010 @ 01:25

I've had a job interview in Geneva and received an offer yet there are some things I do not understand yet.


From a general point of view, someone not looking to lead a lavish lifestyle but just live comfortably in Geneva, what should the min. income be?


Also, I get a lot of different responses when it comes to taxes. From what I've been told it's about 13% for a salary of 60-80K CHF and another 6% for social securities. So I should count on about 20% total taxation of my income?


On the housing aspect, what can I expect? I'm looking to live in Geneva, preferably in the center, but not in a big apt, 50-60 square meter is good enough. What kind of rent am I looking at? Am I correct that no more than 30% of my net salary may be used for rent?


Thanks in advance for any help. This relocation option is new to me and I'm not sure if the offer I received is worth taking.

The text you are quoting:

I've had a job interview in Geneva and received an offer yet there are some things I do not understand yet.


From a general point of view, someone not looking to lead a lavish lifestyle but just live comfortably in Geneva, what should the min. income be?


Also, I get a lot of different responses when it comes to taxes. From what I've been told it's about 13% for a salary of 60-80K CHF and another 6% for social securities. So I should count on about 20% total taxation of my income?


On the housing aspect, what can I expect? I'm looking to live in Geneva, preferably in the center, but not in a big apt, 50-60 square meter is good enough. What kind of rent am I looking at? Am I correct that no more than 30% of my net salary may be used for rent?


Thanks in advance for any help. This relocation option is new to me and I'm not sure if the offer I received is worth taking.


Robert HMay 13, 2010 @ 01:25
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Re: Cost of living + taxes in Geneva
Post 1
May 13, 2010 @ 10:00

Hey RH,


Count on about 20% taxes and social charges, which includes your pension contributions. Rent - CHF 1'000 to 1'500, but your challenge will be to find something to rent.  Glocals has some apartments on shorterm rentals (around CHF 1'000) which is not a bad place to start.


Good luck!

The text you are quoting:

Hey RH,


Count on about 20% taxes and social charges, which includes your pension contributions. Rent - CHF 1'000 to 1'500, but your challenge will be to find something to rent.  Glocals has some apartments on shorterm rentals (around CHF 1'000) which is not a bad place to start.


Good luck!


Poster, May 13, 2010 @ 10:00
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Re: Cost of living + taxes in Geneva
Post 2
May 13, 2010 @ 11:23

I won't discuss what you need to live. However, according to the official stats, the median salary in Geneva is 6801 per month, but with huge variations depending on your line of business. (Not surprisingly, the banks top the list.)


More gory details on http://www.ge.ch/statistique/tel/publications/2010/resultats/dg-rs-2010-05.pdf


 


 

The text you are quoting:

I won't discuss what you need to live. However, according to the official stats, the median salary in Geneva is 6801 per month, but with huge variations depending on your line of business. (Not surprisingly, the banks top the list.)


More gory details on http://www.ge.ch/statistique/tel/publications/2010/resultats/dg-rs-2010-05.pdf


 


 


tawb, May 13, 2010 @ 11:23
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Re: Cost of living + taxes in Geneva
Post 3
May 13, 2010 @ 12:03

I won't discuss what you need to live. However, according to the official stats, the median salary in Geneva is 6801 per month, but with huge variations depending on your line of business. (Not surprisingly, the banks top the list.)

More gory details on http://www.ge.ch/statistique/tel/publications/2010/resultats/dg-rs-2010-05.pdf

 

 


May 13, 10 11:23

Thanks, that's useful information.


Of course it is hard to give a "hard" figure about what is really needed, it is a very general question. I'm more just trying to get a feel for what it's like to live and work in Geneva.


The offer I received looks good, by Dutch standards, seeing the price difference with Geneva on many, many things I'm starting to doubt it is really good enough to live in Geneva.

The text you are quoting:

Thanks, that's useful information.


Of course it is hard to give a "hard" figure about what is really needed, it is a very general question. I'm more just trying to get a feel for what it's like to live and work in Geneva.


The offer I received looks good, by Dutch standards, seeing the price difference with Geneva on many, many things I'm starting to doubt it is really good enough to live in Geneva.


Robert H, May 13, 2010 @ 12:03
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Re: Cost of living + taxes in Geneva
Post 4
May 13, 2010 @ 12:34

Hi


it's very very expensive country my friend

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Hi


it's very very expensive country my friend


Ayman B, May 13, 2010 @ 12:34
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Re: Cost of living + taxes in Geneva
Post 5
May 13, 2010 @ 15:06

Social charges are far more than 6%, it depends on your age and your company, but it would rather be 10-15%.


To know how much taxes you pay based on your income (10 to 14% in your case) : http://ge.ch/impots/article/afc/classement/publicationsformulaires/particulierimposessource/baremes/2010/Barem_IS_2010&cr=/publicationsformulaires/particulierimposessource/baremes


You should also take into consideration that health insurance is probably more expensive here, even if I don't know how it is in Holland; here, it's around 200-400 chf per month.


Rémy


 

The text you are quoting:

Social charges are far more than 6%, it depends on your age and your company, but it would rather be 10-15%.


To know how much taxes you pay based on your income (10 to 14% in your case) : http://ge.ch/impots/article/afc/classement/publicationsformulaires/particulierimposessource/baremes/2010/Barem_IS_2010&cr=/publicationsformulaires/particulierimposessource/baremes


You should also take into consideration that health insurance is probably more expensive here, even if I don't know how it is in Holland; here, it's around 200-400 chf per month.


Rémy


 


RemyS, May 13, 2010 @ 15:06
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Re: Cost of living + taxes in Geneva
Post 6
May 13, 2010 @ 18:32

Social charges are far more than 6%, it depends on your age and your company, but it would rather be 10-15%.

To know how much taxes you pay based on your income (10 to 14% in your case) : http://ge.ch/impots/article/afc/classement/publicationsformulaires/particulierimposessource/baremes/2010/Barem_IS_2010&cr=/publicationsformulaires/particulierimposessource/baremes

You should also take into consideration that health insurance is probably more expensive here, even if I don't know how it is in Holland; here, it's around 200-400 chf per month.

Rémy

 


May 13, 10 15:06

Thank you for the information Remy, that document made it very clear.


I did notice a big difference in health insurance cost. From what I've seen so far I'm beginning to doubt the salary they offered me is sufficient to live in Geneva.


Does anyone have more information on the 30% rent rule? Have I been misinformed?

The text you are quoting:

Thank you for the information Remy, that document made it very clear.


I did notice a big difference in health insurance cost. From what I've seen so far I'm beginning to doubt the salary they offered me is sufficient to live in Geneva.


Does anyone have more information on the 30% rent rule? Have I been misinformed?


Robert H, May 13, 2010 @ 18:32
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Re: Cost of living + taxes in Geneva
Post 7
May 13, 2010 @ 18:37

im only talking from my own experience but régies (the dark overlords who manage rental properties) wont consider you for their files unless you make at least three times the rent.


 


but dont let all this negative stuff put you off. geneva is a beautiful place to live, especially in the summer. i say come for the summer months and give it a try.  i've been here three years and i am very happy here.


 


good luck

The text you are quoting:

im only talking from my own experience but régies (the dark overlords who manage rental properties) wont consider you for their files unless you make at least three times the rent.


 


but dont let all this negative stuff put you off. geneva is a beautiful place to live, especially in the summer. i say come for the summer months and give it a try.  i've been here three years and i am very happy here.


 


good luck


manics1984, May 13, 2010 @ 18:37
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