Complete Expat Guide to Cham

Lakefront commune in canton Zug with low taxes, a beautiful shoreline, and a slower pace than Zug city.

Quick facts

  • Population: 17,400
  • Cantons: Zug
  • Nearest Airport: Zurich Airport (ZUR)
  • Airport Distance: 40 minutes by train
  • Average Rent1 Bedroom: CHF 1,600-2,300/month
  • Average Rent3 Bedroom: CHF 3,000-4,600/month
  • Tax Rate: 10-14% (among Switzerland's lowest)
  • Safety Rating: 9.7/10 (Extremely Safe)
  • Public Transport Rating: 8.7/10 (Very Good)
  • Language Spoken: Swiss German, High German, English
  • Average Salary: CHF 90,000-135,000
  • Unemployment Rate: 1.6%

Complete Expat Guide to Cham

Cham sits on the northern shore of Lake Zug and gives you the same tax advantage as Zug city with a more relaxed, village feel:

  • Lakefront living: Long public shoreline, swimming spots and a lake promenade
  • Zug tax regime: Combined effective rates typically 10 to 14 percent
  • Family scale: Small enough to feel like a village, big enough for proper services
  • Commuter friendly: Zug in 6 minutes, Zurich in about 35

Living & Housing

Housing in Cham is split between older lakefront villas, mid-market apartments around the station, and newer developments in Hagendorn. Rentals tend to be 10 to 15 percent below Zug city. Lakefront properties command a premium and rarely stay on the market.

Getting Around

Cham has two S-Bahn stations (Cham and Cham Alpenblick) on the Zurich to Lucerne route. Bikes are the local default for short trips, the lake path is flat and continuous.