Swiss Municipalities Ranking 2024: Central Switzerland Leads the Way

The best municipalities for living in Switzerland are in Central Switzerland, with Meggen (LU) in first place, followed by Hergiswil (NW) and Oberkirch (LU).

This ranking, compiled by Handelszeitung in cooperation with the Zurich-based consultancy firm IAZI, is based on 51 factors including taxes, property prices, security, infrastructure, location, educational offerings, shopping opportunities and other aspects. 954 municipalities with more than 2,000 inhabitants were analysed.

Meggen (LU) was voted the best municipality in Switzerland for 2024, due to factors such as low taxes and a strategic location.

Hergiswil (NW) and Oberkirch (LU) took second and third place, while Zug and Cham (ZG), last year’s winners, dropped to fourth and fifth respectively. The Top 10 is completed by Zollikon (Zurich), Freienbach (Schwyz), Küsnacht (Zurich), Hünenberg (Zug) and Kilchberg (Zurich).

The cow as ambassador of Switzerland

Large cities declined, with Zurich in 54th place, Basel in 486th and Berne in 491st, partly due to housing and employment difficulties.

Val-de-Travers (NE), a municipality in western Switzerland, ranked last: with a population of 10,550, it has the highest taxes in Switzerland and suffers from poor transport links and few jobs.