Average rents (3–4 rooms)
Most expensive cantons
- Zug: CHF 2,800–4,200/month
- Zurich: CHF 2,500–3,800
- Geneva: CHF 2,400–3,500
- Vaud (Lausanne): CHF 2,100–3,200
- Basel-City: CHF 2,200–3,300
- Schwyz / Nidwalden: CHF 2,400–3,400
Median cantons
- Bern: CHF 1,700–2,500
- Lucerne: CHF 1,800–2,700
- Aargau: CHF 1,700–2,500
- Fribourg: CHF 1,700–2,500
- Ticino: CHF 1,800–2,800
- Schaffhausen: CHF 1,700–2,400
Cheapest cantons
- Jura: CHF 1,300–1,900
- Valais (outside resorts): CHF 1,400–2,100
- Neuchâtel: CHF 1,400–2,100
- Glarus, Uri, Appenzell: CHF 1,200–1,900
Most expensive communes (rental)
- Zollikon (ZH): CHF 4,200+ for 4 rooms
- Cologny (GE): CHF 4,000–5,500
- Küsnacht (ZH): CHF 4,000+
- Vandoeuvres (GE): CHF 3,800–5,000
- St. Moritz, Verbier: varies by season
Purchase prices (CHF/m²)
Most expensive cantons
- Zurich centre: CHF 14,000–25,000
- Geneva centre: CHF 14,000–22,000
- Zug: CHF 12,000–18,000
- Vaud Lake Geneva arc: CHF 10,000–15,000
- Basel-City: CHF 11,000–15,000
- Lugano: CHF 8,000–14,000
Median cantons
- Lausanne outside centre: CHF 8,000–12,000
- Lucerne: CHF 9,000–13,000
- Bern: CHF 7,000–10,000
- Aargau, Fribourg: CHF 6,500–9,500
Cheapest cantons
- Jura, Glarus, Uri: CHF 4,500–7,000
- Neuchâtel: CHF 5,500–8,500
- Valais rural: CHF 5,500–9,000
Budget per type
Rental 3–4 rooms (~80–100m²)
- Top tier (Zurich, Geneva, Zug): CHF 30–45k/yr
- Median (Bern, Lucerne): CHF 20–32k/yr
- Affordable (Jura, rural Valais): CHF 15–22k/yr
PPE 3–4 rooms purchase
- Top tier: CHF 1.1–2M
- Median: CHF 700k–1.1M
- Affordable: CHF 400k–700k
Recent trends
- Rents up +2–4% per year in urban areas since 2022
- Purchase prices broadly flat to +2% in 2024–2025
- Growing pressure on tourist zones (Verbier, Zermatt, St. Moritz)
- Rising vacancies in some cantons (rural Ticino, Jura)
Tips
- Rent = 1/3 of salary is the strict rule
- For purchase: need 20% equity (10% non-pension) + repayment < 1/3 of income
- Compare rent + charges + parking in full
- For family: schools, transport, shops, green space
