Best cities to live in Switzerland (2026)
7 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Country at a Glance
Path to PR
Lugano
79/100Lausanne
78/100Lucerne
77/100Zurich
73/100Basel
71/100Bern
71/100Geneva
67/100Compare cities in Switzerland
❓ Living in Switzerland — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Switzerland?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Lugano ranks #1 in Switzerland with a score of 79/100, and city-centre rent from around $1813/month.
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 Lugano or Lausanne?▾
Lugano scores 79/100 on our Livability Score vs 78/100 for Lausanne. Rent is $1813/mo in Lugano vs $2058/mo in Lausanne. 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.
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