Living and working in Vaud canton
Jobs · January 13, 2026 · 1 min read
Vaud, 825,000 inhabitants, is Romandy's most dynamic canton. Lausanne (EPFL, CHUV), Nestlé Vevey, Philip Morris, Riviera and Vaudois Alps. Excellent city/nature/cost compromise.
The canton
- Population: 825,000
- Capital: Lausanne (140,000)
- Median salary: CHF 7,200/month
- Language: French
Economy
- EPFL + startup ecosystem (Logitech, Nexthink, Beekeeper)
- Nestlé: Vevey HQ (global HQ)
- Pharma: Galderma, Debiopharm
- CHUV: 4,000 health jobs
- Tobacco: Philip Morris (Lausanne)
- Hospitality: Riviera, Vaudois Alps (Villars, Leysin)
Housing
- 3.5 rooms Lausanne: CHF 2,000-2,600/month
- Periphery (Renens, Pully): CHF 1,700-2,200
- Riviera (Vevey, Montreux): CHF 1,800-2,400
- Purchase: CHF 900K-1.8M
Schools
- University of Lausanne: HEC, law, medicine
- EPFL: world top polytechnic
- International schools: ISL, ESL
Transport
- Geneva 35 min train
- Bern 1h05
- Geneva airport 35 min
Practical life
- Lake Geneva: swimming, sailing
- Vaudois Alps: skiing (Villars, Leysin)
- UNESCO Lavaux vineyards
- Montreux Jazz Festival globally renowned
Tips
- EPFL alumni: premium tech network
- Combo: work Geneva, live Vaud (cheaper)
- Impeccable standard French expected
- Quality of life: world top 3
