this post was submitted on 29 Jul 2024
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Keep in mind that these numbers are for above-average flats, ie in good locations, of good size (40-60m² or 60-80m², depending on the city) and for well-earning positions. Probably not the top 1%, but still generally well paid jobs. As such the presentation is inaccurate. Those are not "average prices in the city", but "average prices for good flats in good districts, comparable with Brussels".
source: 2023 CURRENT MARKET RENTS (pdf)
2500 is a shit flat in Geneva. Complete shit. A nice one would be 3600, and really nice one 8000.
Sauce: am Swiss
Well I guess in some countries people have way too much money...
Switzerland is wealthy but not that wealthy. A typical monthly net salary for a normal person might be in the 5000-7000 area. So you can see that a rent of 3600 is not sustainable and one of 8000 is impossible.
Normal people just don't live in the city centre unless they inherited ownership, share flats, or something like that.
I think a rent of 3600 with 5000-7000 income could be sustainable. Kinda depending on the price of living, but I think the best case of 3400 each month would be enough in most of Europe. Still paying over half your salary probably wouldn't make sense for most people unless you live there 24/7 and the place is in a really good location (eg short transits to work, family and other places people frequently visit) and you really like it and/or it's cheaper than comparable flats.
Spending 72% (3600 at 5000) is literally impossible if tax is 20% and mandatory health insurance is 7%. (Net income in Switzerland is before taxes and other mandatory expenses.)
In any case I'd seriously advise against spending more than 30% on living spaces.
Alright it wasn't clear whether or not this was after tax. Makes sense!
I'm glad I could shed some light on it. I get mildly annoyed every time a non-Swiss European - only having heard of typical Swiss incomes and nothing else - acts as if we were super rich.
I mean we're doing ok, but our prices more than match the incomes.
Yeah I guess that's normal, because having more money means you'll want a bigger income and for people to afford paying high personell costs they'll have to sell products and services at higher prices.
You didn't look annoyed. Your comment seemed neutral in tone.
Anyhow, with that much money compared to the rest of the world you are kinda "rich"-ish (depending on who you ask). Sure, you probably don't own ten mansions and yachts, but you're able to afford things inside and outside your country which some other people might not be able to afford (unless the product is price adjusted like eg Steam games which from what I understand are more expensive in Switcherland).
When I say "I guess in some countries people have way too much money" I don't mean to insult the inhabitants directly, rather I'm pointing out - in a perhaps mildly provocative manner - the unequal distribution of wealth around the globe.
I see what you did there.
And these are mostly capitals – prices there are usually far above prices in our cities and towns in the same countries. And differences between capital cities and other places may differ in different countries. So it is not very representative for Europe as whole.