Monthly canton-by-canton data on the gap between what Swiss housing costs at market rates and what the bank's affordability test requires.
The median household in Geneva would need to save for 19.9 years just to accumulate the 10% cash deposit for a 3.5-room flat. Even with two incomes, a couple still fails the bank affordability test for an entry-level 2.5-room flat in 4 of 26 cantons. Across all 26 cantons, a dual-income couple needs an average of 7 years to save the cash deposit for a 3.5-room flat at a 10% savings rate. Even in Glarus, the most affordable canton where single earners still fail, the income gap is 4.3%.
The full report includes affordability tables for all 26 cantons, 3.5-room and 2.5-room data, required income thresholds, and rental market context.
Download (PDF)The Affordability Pressure Index quantifies the gap between the actual cost of homeownership at market rates and the income required by the Swiss bank affordability test (5% imputed rate, 1% amortisation, 1% maintenance, 33% gross income cap). It covers all 26 cantons, two apartment sizes (2.5-room and 3.5-room), and two household types (single and dual income).
The index uses transaction prices (SNB / Wuest Partner), cantonal median incomes (BFS Earnings Structure Survey), market asking rents (Homegate / ImmoScout24), and current mortgage rates. Data is updated monthly as new sources are published.