Buy & Rent Property in Zurich: Facts & Figures at a Glance
What is Zurich known for?
Zurich is located in the canton of Zurich. Zurich is Switzerland’s largest city and a major centre for finance, business, higher education and international organisations. It is also known for its combination of a dense urban core, the Lake Zurich shoreline, the Limmat riverfront and a strong cultural offer.
What does the Zurich property market look like?
Zurich has one of the country’s most tightly contested residential property markets, shaped by limited supply and consistently strong demand from both local and international buyers.
Price levels for buying and renting
Buy
The average purchase prices were:
- Apartment: 1,790,000 CHF
- This is 118,3 % higher than the Swiss average.
- Around 25 % of apartments are priced below 1,350,000 CHF.
- Around 75 % of apartments are priced at 2,370,000 CHF or below.
- House: 2,600,000 CHF
- This is 104,7 % higher than the Swiss average.
- Around 25 % of houses are priced below 1,990,000 CHF.
- Around 75 % of houses are priced at 3,595,000 CHF or below.
Rent
The average monthly rental prices were:
- Apartment: 2,300 CHF
- This is 38,3 % higher than the Swiss average.
- Around 25 % of rental listings are priced below 1,715 CHF.
- Around 75 % of rental listings cost 2,952 CHF or less.
For a detailed breakdown, visit:
https://www.immoscout24.ch/en/property-prices-m2/city-zurich
Price development
- Apartment (Buy):
- Since last quarter: 1,5 %
- Since last year: 4,7 %
- House (Buy):
- Since last quarter: 0,0 %
- Since last year: 4,0 %
- Apartment (Rent):
- Since last quarter: 0,8 %
- Since last year: 2,7 %
Tax rates
Zurich has a general tax charge of 10,3 %. This compares with 9,78 % for canton Zurich and 12,24 % nationally.
- Tax rates by household type:
- Single person without children: 14,78 %
- Married couple without children: 9,41 %
- Couple with children: 6,27 %
- Married pensioner: 13,57 %
- Example annual tax burden:
- Single (no children, 100,000 CHF income): 11,850 CHF
- Single (no children, 150,000 CHF income): 23,925 CHF
- Married couple (no children, 200,000 CHF income): 27,315 CHF
- Married couple (2 children, 125,000 CHF income): 6,660 CHF
- Married couple (2 children, 175,000 CHF income): 15,615 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: 0,11 % (Swiss average: 0,94 %)
- Total apartments: 239,623
- Housing growth over the last 5 years: 11,913 new apartments have been introduced to the market.
Demographics & economy
- Population: 440,935, with a foreigner rate of 34,18 %.
- Income: Average yearly income: 93,595 CHF. This is 14,3 % higher than the Swiss average (Swiss average: 81,875 CHF).
- Employment: Unemployment rate: 1,71 % (Swiss average: 1,45 %).
Connectivity
- It takes 19 minutes to get to the nearest major city using public transport.
- It takes 19 minutes to get to the nearest regional suburban hub using public transport.
- It takes 16 minutes to drive by car to the nearest major city.
- It takes 16 minutes to drive by car to the nearest regional suburban hub.
What is daily life like in Zurich?
Daily life in Zurich combines city convenience with easy access to water, green spaces and cultural venues. Residents make use of Lake Zurich, riverside walks, museums, theatres, cafés, restaurants and neighbourhood shopping, while the city’s public transport makes everyday movement straightforward.
Which neighbourhoods fit different lifestyles?
Different parts of Zurich suit different buyer profiles, from central urban living to quieter residential districts with more space and a more settled feel. Proximity to the lake, access to parks, commuting convenience and the type of housing stock all play a role in deciding which area fits best.
- Seefeld
- Popular with buyers who want a central location close to Lake Zurich, cafés and an established apartment market.
- Wiedikon
- A good fit for professionals and couples looking for an urban neighbourhood with good amenities and transport links.
- Unterstrass
- Often suited to families and long-term residents who value a residential setting with everyday services nearby.
- Oerlikon
- Attractive to commuters and buyers seeking a more modern urban district with a broad mix of housing options.
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.