Best Cities in Switzerland to Live In 2026
4 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Zurich
71/100Bern
69/100Basel
66/100Geneva
62/100Compare cities in Switzerland
❓ Living in Switzerland — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Switzerland?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Zurich ranks #1 in Switzerland with a score of 71/100, and city-centre rent from around $3006/month.
What is the cheapest city in Switzerland?▾
Bern has the most affordable city-centre rent in our Switzerland data, at around $1960/month for a 1-bedroom apartment.
What is the safest city in Switzerland?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Zurich is the safest city in Switzerland in our database, with a rate of 0.5 per 100,000 people.
Should I move to Zurich or Bern?▾
Zurich scores 71/100 on our Livability Score vs 69/100 for Bern. Rent is $3006/mo in Zurich vs $1960/mo in Bern. See the full comparison at the bottom of this page.
How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in Switzerland?▾
Switzerland offers the Switzerland Work Permit (L/B) (complex process). Duration: 1 year (non-EU) or 5 years (EU/EFTA), renewable. Key requirement: Non-EU nationals need employer sponsorship. EU/EFTA citizens can self-arrange. Switzerland is beautiful, process is not.. The process is complex. Check individual city pages for full details.