Skyline of Montreux
Cost of Living: 115 26,000

Montreux, Switzerland

A glamorous resort town on Lake Geneva's shores, famous for the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Chillon Castle, and its stunning Alpine and lake views.

Updated August 11, 2026
Cost of Living 115

Above Average vs Switzerland Avg (100)

Housing Index 130

Above Average

Median Income CHF 80,000

Household income

Unemployment 3.0%

Job market health

Montreux vs Switzerland Average

Cost of Living
Montreux: 115
Switzerland Avg: 100
Housing Index
Montreux: 130
Switzerland Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Montreux: 13%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 13.0%
  • Sales Tax: 8.1%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: CHF 80,000
  • Unemployment: 3.0%
  • Population: 26,000

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 185/year
  • Summer High: 79°F
  • Winter Low: 31°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 5b

Housing

  • Median Home: CHF750,000
  • 1BR Rent: CHF1500/mo

Cost of Living

Montreux's cost of living index is 115 (Switzerland average = 100).

CategoryMontreuxNational AverageDifference
Overall115100+15.0%
Housing130100+30.0%

Data source: BFS / Numbeo, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceCHF750,000
Median Rent (1BR)CHF1500/mo
Median Rent (2BR)CHF1,875/mo
Price per Sq FtCHF500

Data source: Homegate / Comparis, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

CHF
%
$90,000 down
%
%
CHF

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Montreux:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityCHF100
Heating & CoolingCHF94Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterCHF40Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)CHF50Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesCHF284Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: ElCom, Swissgrid, BFS 2025

Remote Work Score

Montreux scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
115
Rent
CHF1500
Sunny Days
185
Tax
13%
Unemployment
3.0%
Climate
79°F / 31°F
Safety
0.5 homicides/100k
Population
26,000
Internet Speed
180 Mbps

Climate

Montreux has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January51°F31°F2.5"
April64°F46°F2.8"
July79°F54°F1.5"
October59°F49°F2.2"
USDA Zone 5b

Cool — many vegetables, some fruit trees

Natural Hazards

Montreux faces the following natural hazards:

Blizzard High Risk

Switzerland experiences severe winter storms in the Alps.

Avalanche High Risk

Alpine region with frequent avalanches.

Earthquake Moderate Risk

Moderate seismic activity with occasional earthquakes.

Flood Moderate Risk

River flooding and flash floods.

Landslide Moderate Risk

Alpine region with landslides.

Tornado Moderate Risk

Switzerland experiences occasional tornadoes.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 13%
  • Sales Tax: 8.1%
  • Property Tax: ~0.3% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 3.0%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Montreux per 100,000 residents:

35.6
Violent Crime
2,837.4
Property Crime
0.5
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: Eurostat

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Academic Year August to July
Term System Semester — Herbst (Aug-Jan), Frühling (Feb-Jul)
Summer Break July to August (5-6 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (2 weeks)
Spring Break February/March (1-2 weeks)

Schedule varies significantly by canton. Each canton sets its own holidays.

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Montreux, Switzerland?

The cost of living index in Montreux is 115, which is Higher the Switzerland national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Montreux?

The median home price in Montreux is CHF750,000. The housing index is 130.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Montreux is approximately CHF1500/mo.

Does Montreux, VD have income tax?

Montreux is in VD, which has an income tax rate of 13%.

What is the climate like in Montreux?

Montreux enjoys approximately 185 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 79°F, while winter lows can drop to around 31°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: BFS / Numbeo, 2026
  • Housing Data: Homegate / Comparis, 2026
  • Income & Employment: BFS Labour Force Survey, 2024
  • Utilities ElCom, Swissgrid, BFS 2025

Data last updated: August 12, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.