Locarno, Switzerland

Locarno sits at 200 m above sea level in the Swiss canton of Ticino, on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore, in the Europe/Zurich timezone. The climate is temperate, with warm summers and cold winters, and the lake helps moderate temperature extremes. Expats tend to settle in Muralto, Minusio, and the Ascona area, where the population of 16 thousand keeps daily life intimate and walkable.

Rents are steady across the city: a 1-bedroom apartment runs $1,022/mo both in the centre and outside it, while a 3-bedroom costs $2,375/mo in the centre and $2,195/mo outside. Beyond rent, a single person spends about $1,200/mo, with utilities at $481/mo, internet at $57/mo, and a mobile plan at $27/mo. A monthly public transport pass is $96/mo and a gym membership is $72/mo. Meals out range from $27 per person at an inexpensive restaurant to $120 for a three-course mid-range meal for two, and a cappuccino costs $5. Local net salaries average $5,833/mo, while budget, mid-range, and comfortable lifestyles total $1,595/mo, $2,352/mo, and $2,669/mo respectively.

Safety is a strong point, with a safety index of 90/100 and a crime index of 10/100. Air quality is good at an index of 25, and healthcare quality is rated excellent. Internet speeds average 110 Mbps, English is widely spoken, and the expat community is medium in size.

For residency, the Switzerland Lump Sum Taxation Residence program requires a minimum monthly income of $2,100/mo. The nearest airport is LUG, 7 km away. Locarno suits retirees and digital nomads especially, with expat and digital nomad scores of 72/100, a retiree score of 61/100, and a FIRE score of 56/100.