Buy & Rent Property in La Chaux-de-Fonds: Facts & Figures at a Glance
What is La Chaux-de-Fonds known for?
La Chaux-de-Fonds is located in the canton of Neuchatel. La Chaux-de-Fonds is known for its watchmaking heritage and its distinctive urban layout, shaped by the reconstruction after the fire of 1794. It is also closely associated with Le Corbusier, who was born there, and with a strong industrial identity that still influences the city today. For buyers, it stands out as a practical Jura town with a clear local character and long-standing ties to precision manufacturing.
What does the La Chaux-de-Fonds property market look like?
La Chaux-de-Fonds has a generally more accessible residential property market than the major Swiss urban centres, with demand shaped by local households, commuters and buyers linked to the watchmaking economy.
Price levels for buying and renting
Buy
The average purchase prices were:
- Apartment: 495,000 CHF
- This is 39,6 % lower than the Swiss average.
- Around 25 % of apartments are priced below 366,827 CHF.
- Around 75 % of apartments are priced at 635,681 CHF or below.
- House: 985,000 CHF
- This is 22,4 % lower than the Swiss average.
- Around 25 % of houses are priced below 780,000 CHF.
- Around 75 % of houses are priced at 1,196,212 CHF or below.
Rent
The average monthly rental prices were:
- Apartment: 1,066 CHF
- This is 35,9 % lower than the Swiss average.
- Around 25 % of rental listings are priced below 890 CHF.
- Around 75 % of rental listings cost 1,290 CHF or less.
For a detailed breakdown, visit:
https://www.immoscout24.ch/en/property-prices-m2/city-la-chaux-de-fonds
Price development
- Apartment (Buy):
- Since last quarter: 1,0 %
- Since last year: 5,3 %
- House (Buy):
- Since last quarter: -0,5 %
- Since last year: -3,3 %
- Apartment (Rent):
- Since last quarter: 0,2 %
- Since last year: 1,5 %
Tax rates
La Chaux-de-Fonds has a general tax charge of 16 %. This compares with 15,73 % for canton Neuchatel and 12,24 % nationally.
- Tax rates by household type:
- Single person without children: 21,94 %
- Married couple without children: 15,06 %
- Couple with children: 11,02 %
- Married pensioner: 20,09 %
- Example annual tax burden:
- Single (no children, 100,000 CHF income): 18,935 CHF
- Single (no children, 150,000 CHF income): 34,915 CHF
- Married couple (no children, 200,000 CHF income): 40,485 CHF
- Married couple (2 children, 125,000 CHF income): 13,690 CHF
- Married couple (2 children, 175,000 CHF income): 26,630 CHF
Note: Tax rates shown are indicative only and may be inaccurate; consult a qualified tax advisor for advice specific to your situation.
Availability
- Housing supply
- Vacancy rate: 2,92 % (Swiss average: 0,94 %)
- Total apartments: 22,339
- Housing growth over the last 5 years: 315 new apartments have been introduced to the market.
Demographics & economy
- Population: 37,858, with a foreigner rate of 33,49 %.
- Income: Average yearly income: 61,095 CHF. This is 25,4 % lower than the Swiss average (Swiss average: 81,875 CHF).
- Employment: Unemployment rate: 2,92 % (Swiss average: 1,45 %).
Connectivity
- It takes 85 minutes to get to the nearest major city using public transport.
- It takes 13 minutes to get to the nearest regional suburban hub using public transport.
- It takes 64 minutes to drive by car to the nearest major city.
- It takes 10 minutes to drive by car to the nearest regional suburban hub.
What is daily life like in La Chaux-de-Fonds?
Daily life in La Chaux-de-Fonds is centred on practical urban living, local services and access to the surrounding Jura landscape. Residents have museums, shops, cafés and everyday amenities close at hand, while walking routes, forests and open countryside are within easy reach. The city also offers a strong cultural identity, especially around watchmaking and architecture.
Which neighbourhoods fit different lifestyles?
Different parts of La Chaux-de-Fonds suit different buyer profiles, depending on whether they prefer central convenience, quieter residential streets or homes with easier access to the edge of town. The city’s residential areas are generally defined by a mix of historic housing, practical apartment stock and neighbourhoods that feel more suburban in character.
- Centre-ville
- A good fit for buyers who want everyday services, shops and cultural facilities within walking distance.
- Les Forges
- Popular with residents looking for a more residential setting while staying close to the city centre.
- Brot-Plamboz
- Better suited to buyers who value a quieter environment and easier access to the surrounding countryside.
- Boulevard des Éplatures
- Often of interest to commuters and households who want practical access routes and a more functional residential setting.
Data from: September 2026
Note: The market for apartments for sale can change rapidly, so it is always advisable to check with local real estate experts/agents for the latest developments.