Ranking of Swiss cantons by rental costs
According to the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, the average monthly rent in the country was 1,412 francs, which is 1.3% more than the previous year. However, given ongoing inflation and changes in demand in the real estate market, these figures could still rise.
Despite the overall high price level, the spread of rental costs between individual cantons of Switzerland is quite significant. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive region reaches 900 francs per month.
Top 5 most affordable cantons of Switzerland for renting housing
- The canton of Jura is a confident leader in the ranking of the most budget-friendly regions of Switzerland for renters. In 2022, the average monthly rate here was only 961 francs — more than 400 francs below the national average. Jura is located in northwestern Switzerland, on the border with France. It is a predominantly rural and forested region with a low population density. The economy is based on agriculture, watchmaking and mechanical engineering. Relatively low wages and remoteness from large cities result in affordable rental prices.
- The canton of Neuchâtel is adjacent to the Jura, with an average rent of about 1,056 francs per month. This is already noticeably closer to the national average, but compared to the leaders of the opposite rating, it is still very inexpensive. Neuchâtel is located south of the Jura and has access to Lake Neuchâtel. The region's economy is more diversified — in addition to agriculture, precision engineering, pharmaceuticals, electronics and watchmaking are well developed. The canton is home to several campuses of the University of Neuchâtel.
- The canton of Valais — the canton of Valais closes the top three in terms of affordable housing rentals with an average of 1,177 francs per month. This is an Alpine region in the southwest of Switzerland, famous for its ski resorts, picturesque landscapes and vineyards. Despite its developed tourism, Valais remains one of the most affordable cantons. It also has the highest home ownership rate in the country — more than half of the residents (53.8%) live in their own houses or apartments. This makes Valais especially attractive for families.
- Canton Ticino — In fourth place in the ranking is the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino, where the average rent in 2022 was 1,211 francs per month. The region is located in the south of Switzerland and borders Italy. Ticino is famous for its mild Mediterranean climate, picturesque lakes Lugano and Maggiore, as well as mountain scenery. The canton's economy is based on tourism, banking and trade. Relatively low rental prices are due to the distance from the largest economic centers of Switzerland.
- The canton of Glarus is in fifth place in the list of the most affordable cantons with an average rent of 1,215 francs per month. This small region is located in the eastern part of Switzerland. Glarus' economy is based on textiles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and hydroelectric power. The canton has low taxes and low cost of living, making it an attractive place for renters.
Top 5 Most Expensive Cantons of Switzerland for Renting Housing
- The canton of Zug is the undisputed leader in the cost of renting housing in Switzerland. In 2022, the average monthly rate here was an impressive 1,850 francs — more than 400 francs higher than the national average. Zug is located in the central part of Switzerland and is famous for its picturesque lake of the same name. The canton is an important center of international business and trade, with many large companies registered here. High wages and the prestige of the region determine record prices for renting real estate.
- The canton of Zurich is the second most expensive canton with an average rent of 1,654 francs per month. It is the largest city in Switzerland and one of the world's leading financial centers. Zurich has a high standard of living, a developed economy and infrastructure. The city is home to the headquarters of many international corporations, banks and insurance companies. Active business and cultural life attracts a large number of highly paid professionals and wealthy people to Zurich, which fuels the demand for expensive real estate.
- The canton of Schwyz is located in the central part of Switzerland and ranks third in the ranking. The average rent here is 1,616 francs per month — slightly lower than in Zurich, but still significantly higher than the national average. Schwyz is known for its ski resorts, picturesque nature and high quality of life. The canton attracts wealthy residents and tourists, which is reflected in the cost of renting housing.
- The canton of Geneva is in fourth place in the ranking with an average rent of 1,504 francs per month. It is the second largest city in Switzerland, located in the southwest of the country on the shores of Lake Geneva. Geneva is an important political and financial center, the headquarters of many international organizations are located here, including the European branch of the UN. High salaries, the prestige of the city and the influx of wealthy foreigners determine the high cost of renting real estate.
- The canton of Nidwalden is the fifth most expensive canton with an average rental rate of 1,495 francs per month. This small region is located in central Switzerland and is part of the historical region of Unterwalden. Nidwalden has picturesque mountain landscapes, a high quality of life and low taxes, which attracts wealthy residents. Real estate in the canton is in high demand, which is reflected in the cost of rent.
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Rate of property ownership in Switzerland
Switzerland is known not only for its high property prices, but also for its low rate of home ownership. As of 2022, only 36% of Swiss households lived in their own homes or apartments — this is one of the lowest rates in Europe. The lowest rates of property ownership are observed in large cities — Basel (15.5%) and Geneva (18.9%). In rural and mountainous cantons, this figure is significantly higher — for example, in Valais, more than half of households own their own home (53.8%).
The Impact of Regional Differences on Cost of Living
The differences in rental costs and living standards between Swiss cantons are due to a number of factors – economic, geographical, demographic. The presence of international companies, banks and organizations stimulates demand for expensive real estate in prestigious regions such as Zug, Zurich and Geneva. On the other hand, in the central and eastern parts of Switzerland there are cantons with lower taxes and affordable rental prices, such as Appenzell Innerrhoden, Uri and Glarus. These regions attract families and people looking for a more relaxed pace of life and closeness to nature.
Tourism also has a significant impact on rental prices in Switzerland. Popular ski resorts in the cantons of Graubünden, Valais and Bern are in high demand among wealthy tourists, which fuels real estate prices. At the same time, in less popular tourist regions such as Jura or Ticino, rental housing remains relatively affordable.
Prospects for the Swiss Rental Market
Despite significant differences in rental prices between cantons, the overall level of housing prices in Switzerland remains one of the highest in the world. And although the rate of growth of rental rates has slowed somewhat in recent years, experts do not predict a significant decrease in prices in the foreseeable future. The high demand for real estate in Switzerland is due to a number of factors — a stable economy, high quality of life, an influx of wealthy foreigners and a limited supply of new housing. In the context of ongoing inflation and low interest rates, investing in Swiss real estate remains attractive to investors. At the same time, high rental prices can become a serious barrier for young families and professionals starting a career in Switzerland. The country's government is taking certain steps to address this problem, stimulating the construction of affordable housing and providing subsidies to low-income tenants.
In conclusion, we note that the cost of renting housing in Switzerland varies significantly depending on the region. The most affordable for renters are the cantons of Jura, Neuchâtel and Valais, and the most expensive are Zug, Zurich and Schwyz. The difference in rental rates is influenced by such factors as the economic development of the region, its tourist attractiveness, wages and taxes. In general, the cost of renting housing in Switzerland remains one of the highest in the world, which creates certain challenges for renters and requires attention from the authorities. When choosing a region to live in Switzerland, it is worth considering not only the cost of rent, but also the general standard of living, economic prospects, infrastructure and personal preferences. Each Swiss canton has its own unique features and can be a great place to live and work.
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