Fleeing the housing shortage and high prices in the city: These are the most attractive agglomerations and suburbs in Switzerland

Rising rents and housing shortages are driving skilled workers from Swiss centers like Zurich or Geneva into the surrounding areas. A current municipal comparison analyzes attractive suburbs based on taxes, infrastructure, and public transport connections. The analysis provides guidance for choosing a residential location.

Fleeing housing shortages and high prices in the city: These are the most attractive agglomerations and suburbs in Switzerland

The persistently high level of immigration combined with stagnating construction activity has put massive pressure on the housing market in Swiss metropolises. A current municipal comparison, published at the end of October 2026, now highlights the most attractive alternatives to overheated centers such as Zurich, Geneva, or Basel. Since affordable living space is hardly available in city centers anymore, families and young professionals in particular are increasingly moving to the agglomerations and the wider surrounding areas. The study evaluates municipalities based on criteria such as tax burden, public transport connections, infrastructure, and quality of life to identify the best residential locations beyond the urban cores.

The background to this development is a gap between supply and demand that has continued to widen in recent years. While economic momentum in the major centers remains unbroken, regulatory hurdles and a lack of land reserves prevent necessary new construction. As a result, real estate prices and rents in cities have reached levels that are hardly sustainable even for middle incomes. The analysis shows that municipalities in the agglomeration belt are increasingly gaining attractiveness, as they offer a balance between urban proximity and rural tranquility. Locations that have invested heavily in rail connections and thus guarantee short commuting times are benefiting in particular.

Commuter flows and strategic location choice for academics

Choosing a place of residence plays a strategic role, especially for the target group of MBA students and young executives. Many of the renowned business schools and universities in Switzerland are located in immediate central locations. Those completing part-time studies rely on efficient mobility. The suburbs that performed well in the comparison often offer a decisive advantage here: the tax burden in many agglomeration municipalities is significantly lower than in the core cities, which increases the financial leeway for expensive further education such as an MBA. At the same time, the quieter location outside the center allows for better focus on studies without losing contact with the labor market in the economic centers.

The importance of infrastructure for work-life balance