Where can you still find affordable apartments in Switzerland? The best municipalities in 2026
Despite the housing shortage and rising asking rents, some Swiss municipalities still offer comparatively affordable rental apartments. Parts of the Jura, the Neuchâtel Jura, northern Ticino and selected regional centres often provide significantly more living space for the same budget.
In brief
In 2026, particularly affordable rental apartments can still be found in parts of the canton of Jura, the Neuchâtel Jura, northern Ticino and selected municipalities in Solothurn. Le Locle stands out for small apartments, Biasca for 3.5-room apartments and Mümliswil-Ramiswil for 4.5-room apartments.
How is the Swiss rental market developing in 2026?
Affordable rental apartments have become more difficult to find in Switzerland. The national vacancy rate fell to 1.0 percent in 2025. On 1 June 2025, 48,455 vacant homes were recorded, including 37,194 units offered for rent.
Prices for newly advertised and re-let apartments are also continuing to rise. The Homegate Rent Index reached 134 points in June 2026, 2.5 percent above June 2025.
What does “the best municipalities” mean?
There is no single municipality that is the best or cheapest for every household. Apartment size, workplace, language, schools, public transport and the need for a car all affect the real monthly cost.
The selection considers published median or average asking rents, prices by apartment size, visible supply, vacancy as an indication of availability and the infrastructure of regional centres.
How to read the indicators
Median: Half of the analysed listings are cheaper and half are more expensive.
Average: A small number of expensive homes may increase the result.
25th percentile: One quarter of the apartments are offered at this price or less.
Affordable apartments in Switzerland: municipalities compared
| Municipality | Current price indicator | Particularly suitable for | Points to consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Locle NE | Small apartments: median approx. CHF 785; current average approx. CHF 960 | Singles, couples and budget-conscious households | French-speaking region and longer journeys to major employment centres |
| Bonfol JU | 3-room apartments averaged approx. CHF 890 in the dataset | Remote workers and regional employees | Small listing volumes may strongly affect the statistics |
| Biasca TI | 3.5 rooms: median approx. CHF 1,000; current average approx. CHF 1,190 | Couples, small families and Ticino commuters | Consider mobility costs and the Italian-speaking region |
| Mümliswil-Ramiswil SO | 4.5 rooms: median approx. CHF 1,198 | Families seeking more living space | Limited supply and possible dependence on a car |
| Moutier JU | 25 percent of listings approx. CHF 825 or less | Families, couples and regional workers | Consider commuting and language region |
| Saint-Imier BE | 25 percent of listings approx. CHF 850 or less | Households in the Bernese Jura and watchmaking region | Smaller labour market than major centres |
| La Chaux-de-Fonds NE | 25 percent of listings approx. CHF 890 or less | Tenants seeking a larger urban market | Check climate, altitude and commuting |
| Delémont JU | District average approx. CHF 1,190 | Households requiring regional infrastructure | City apartments may cost more than the district average |
| St. Gallen SG | Current average approx. CHF 1,350 | Students, professionals and families | Neighbourhood, condition and university proximity affect prices |
| Reinach AG | 25 percent of listings approx. CHF 1,250 or less | Commuters between Aarau, Lenzburg and Lucerne | New developments may be considerably more expensive |
The figures are indicators derived from published asking-rent data and not guaranteed rental prices. Size, condition, ancillary costs and location may materially affect the actual rent.
1. Le Locle: particularly affordable small apartments
Le Locle in the canton of Neuchâtel is one of Switzerland’s most notable affordable locations for smaller rental apartments. Together with Le Prévoux, the published median was approximately CHF 785. Current listing data also indicate an average of around CHF 960 across different apartment sizes.
The municipality may suit singles, couples, remote workers and employees in regional industry. The same budget can often provide substantially more space than in Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne or Zug.
Advantages
- very low asking rents for small and medium-sized apartments,
- a comparatively large visible supply,
- basic urban services in a compact municipality,
- relevant to employees in watchmaking and precision industries.
Points to consider
Le Locle is in a French-speaking, higher-altitude region. Daily commuters should calculate journey time and mobility costs carefully.
2. Bonfol: very low rents but limited supply
In a nationwide municipal analysis, Bonfol in the canton of Jura recorded an average asking rent of approximately CHF 890 for a 3-room apartment.
The municipality may suit households working in the region, people with substantial remote work or those deliberately seeking a rural location.
3. Biasca: affordable 3.5-room apartments in northern Ticino
Biasca is among the most affordable published locations for 3.5-room apartments. The reported median was approximately CHF 1,000 per month. Current analyses indicate an average of around CHF 1,190, with one quarter of listings at approximately CHF 980 or less.
Biasca may be attractive to couples, smaller families and people working in northern Ticino. It offers more infrastructure than very small villages while generally remaining less expensive than well-known lakeside and tourist locations.
Other municipalities offering good value
Mümliswil-Ramiswil SO
A median of approximately CHF 1,198 was reported for 4.5-room apartments, making the municipality relevant to families seeking space.
Moutier JU
One quarter of analysed asking rents were approximately CHF 825 or less. A vacancy rate of around 6 percent suggests less pressure than in many major cities. Moutier has belonged to the canton of Jura since 1 January 2026.
Saint-Imier BE
The lowest quarter of asking rents was approximately CHF 850 or less. The municipality may suit employees in the Bernese Jura and regional watchmaking industry.
La Chaux-de-Fonds NE
One quarter of advertised rents were approximately CHF 890 or less. The reported vacancy rate was around 3.6 percent, supporting a broader choice than in small rural municipalities.
Delémont JU
The Delémont district showed an average of approximately CHF 1,190. The cantonal capital offers a practical combination of price, services and public transport.
St. Gallen SG
The current average asking rent was approximately CHF 1,350. The city is useful for households requiring a university, larger employers and extensive public transport.
Reinach AG
The lowest quarter of asking rents was approximately CHF 1,250 or less, making Reinach relevant to commuters in the Aarau, Lenzburg and Lucerne regions.
A low rent does not automatically mean low housing costs
A cheaper apartment may become more expensive overall because of commuting, parking or high heating costs.
Include the full monthly cost
- net rent and ancillary costs
- electricity, internet and heating system
- public transport, car, fuel and parking
- municipal taxes
- childcare and school travel
- deposit, moving and cleaning
Affordable village or regional centre?
The lowest rents are often found in smaller or peripheral municipalities, but supply may be limited and a car may be necessary. Regional centres such as La Chaux-de-Fonds, Delémont or St. Gallen are somewhat more expensive but offer more employment, schools, shops and public transport.
Small municipality
Often lower rent and more peace, but fewer listings and less infrastructure.
Regional centre
More listings and better infrastructure, but usually somewhat higher rents.
How to find an apartment in an affordable municipality
- Search several municipalities in the same region.
- Activate an alert for new listings.
- Remain flexible about room count and floor area.
- Add ancillary costs, parking and mobility to the rent.
- Prepare income evidence and a current debt-register extract.
- Check housing cooperatives and municipal listings separately.
- Verify unusually cheap listings before transferring any money.
Checklist: is the municipality suitable for me?
- Enough current listings in the required size
- Commute tested in both directions
- Public transport, car and parking costs calculated
- Ancillary costs and heating system checked
- Shopping, medical care, schools and childcare reviewed
- Language region and municipal taxes considered
- Deposit and moving costs budgeted
- Neighbouring municipalities compared
Sources and information date
Information date: 1 August 2026. Asking rents can change daily. The stated figures are not guaranteed rental prices.
Frequently asked questions about affordable apartments in Switzerland
Summary
Anyone looking for an affordable rental apartment in 2026 should compare more than the major centres. Le Locle, Biasca, Moutier, La Chaux-de-Fonds and other municipalities in the Jura, Neuchâtel Jura, northern Ticino and Solothurn can offer significantly lower asking rents. The decisive figure is the full cost including rent, ancillary costs, mobility and everyday expenses.
Search for an affordable apartment on UrbanHome
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