Free calculator
How much rent can you afford in Switzerland?
Swiss landlords want to see that you can pay. The usual yardstick is that the rent should take no more than a third of your net income. Enter your income to see your ceiling, or a rent to see the income it needs. Everything runs in your browser.
How much rent can you afford?
Maximum rent under the one-third rule
CHF 2’160/month
Including ancillary costs · based on CHF 6’500 net per month
Where the one-third rule comes from
It is a rule of thumb, not a law. Zurich’s courts state it when judging whether a replacement tenant can pay: for flats, the rent should not exceed one third of net income. A study for the Federal Office for Housing describes the same “one-third rule” as the common test of whether housing is affordable.
The same study adds the caveat: on a very low income even less than a third can be hard, while on a high income more can be fine. Use the result as a guide to which flats are realistic, not as a verdict.
Agencies check the same thing with documents: your last three payslips or an employment contract, and the debt register extract. If your income is new, irregular or below the line, a guarantor or a deposit guarantee can help — and a complete dossier matters more than ever.
Gerichte des Kantons Zürich — Vorzeitige Rückgabe der Mietsache · BWO — Preisgünstiger Wohnraum (2012), Kap. 2.2
Frequently asked questions
What share of income should rent be in Switzerland?
The usual rule of thumb is at most one third of net income. Zurich’s courts apply it to net income when judging a tenant’s ability to pay; it is not a legal requirement, and agencies may set their own thresholds.
Gross or net income?
Net: the amount paid out after social contributions, as on your payslip. Using gross income would let a higher rent pass the test, so the net figure is the safer basis.
Does the 13th salary count?
Yes, if it is part of your contract. Spread over the year it adds a twelfth to your monthly income; the calculator does this when you tick the box.
Can two incomes be combined?
When two people sign the lease and are jointly liable for the rent, it makes sense to count both incomes — confirm with the agency how they assess it. Add the second net income in the calculator.