Zurich, Switzerland 🇨🇭
#970
,
Nomad Score:
63%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
12%
Weight: 150
One of the most expensive cities globally, with high prices across all sectors.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
8%
Weight: 80
Extremely high rental prices, especially in central areas favored by expats and nomads.
🍎 Food & Groceries
21%
Weight: 40
Food prices are significantly above average, with groceries and dining out being costly.
🚌 Transportation Cost
35%
Weight: 20
Public transport is efficient but relatively expensive compared to other cities.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
20%
Weight: 15
Leisure activities and entertainment venues tend to be pricey.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
30%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately expensive but offer high-quality facilities.
💱 Currency Stability
97%
Weight: 30
Swiss Franc is one of the most stable currencies worldwide.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
89%
Weight: 100
High-speed fiber internet widely available with reliable connectivity.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
78%
Weight: 40
Several high-quality coworking spaces catering to professionals and nomads.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
75%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, though some have limited seating.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
70%
Weight: 30
Good selection of cafes suitable for remote work, though not as abundant as in some other cities.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
54%
Weight: 100
Moderate popularity among nomads, more favored by business travelers and expats.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
90%
Weight: 25
Easy to obtain prepaid SIM cards with good data plans.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
86%
Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on work-life balance with generous vacation policies and cultural norms.
🌳 Environmental Quality
92%
Weight: 15
Excellent air and water quality, with strict environmental regulations.
🧼 Cleanliness
98%
Weight: 10
Exceptionally clean city with well-maintained public spaces.
🗨️ Language Barrier
63%
Weight: 30
German is predominant; English widely spoken but some language barriers remain.
💨 Air Quality
95%
Weight: 15
Very good air quality due to strict environmental controls and low pollution.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
84%
Weight: 25
Excellent education, healthcare, and recreational facilities for families.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
99%
Weight: 20
World-class healthcare system with excellent facilities and professionals.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
25%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is expensive without insurance; mandatory insurance adds to costs.
🏥 Healthcare
99%
Weight: 20
Top-tier healthcare services with easy access for residents and expats.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
41%
Weight: 80
Temperate climate with cold winters and moderate summers; frequent rain and overcast days.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
87%
Weight: 10
Low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods.
🏞️ Green Spaces
84%
Weight: 10
Numerous parks and green areas within the city and nearby nature.
❄️ Air Conditioning
32%
Weight: 15
Limited use of air conditioning due to cooler climate; some buildings may lack it.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
76%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with snowy winters and warm summers.
🔊 Noise Pollution
87%
Weight: 10
Low noise pollution due to strict regulations and urban planning.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
83%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural scene with museums, theaters, and festivals.
🌃 Nightlife
61%
Weight: 15
Moderate nightlife options; more subdued compared to larger metropolitan cities.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
90%
Weight: 15
Close proximity to lakes, mountains, and hiking trails.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
72%
Weight: 10
Good availability of language schools and cultural exchange programs.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
79%
Weight: 10
Variety of tours and cultural experiences available, especially related to Swiss heritage.
🎳 Indoors Fun
70%
Weight: 10
Museums, galleries, and indoor sports facilities provide entertainment options.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
73%
Weight: 25
Diverse culinary options with emphasis on Swiss and international cuisine.
🧠 Yoga Studios
68%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available, though not as widespread as in some global hubs.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
75%
Weight: 15
High-quality gyms and fitness centers with modern equipment.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
76%
Weight: 15
Good availability of organic and health-focused food stores and restaurants.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
74%
Weight: 20
Central European Time zone is favorable for communication with most of Europe and parts of Africa.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
71%
Weight: 25
Active professional and expat communities with regular networking events.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
65%
Weight: 20
Moderate availability of remote jobs, mainly in finance, tech, and consulting sectors.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
67%
Weight: 20
Growing freelance community supported by coworking spaces and events.
🏢 Coworking Quality
82%
Weight: 30
High-quality coworking spaces with modern amenities and professional environments.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
70%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem with focus on fintech and biotech.
💳 Local Payment Services
85%
Weight: 10
Efficient and secure local payment systems, including widespread use of cashless payments.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
60%
Weight: 15
Moderate adoption with regulatory clarity but conservative financial culture.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
88%
Weight: 30
Well-connected Zurich Airport offers numerous international flights.
🚇 Public Transit
91%
Weight: 20
Extensive, punctual, and clean public transportation network.
🚶 Walkability
83%
Weight: 20
Compact city center with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
65%
Weight: 15
Available but less prevalent than in larger global cities.
🚲 Cycling
74%
Weight: 10
Good cycling infrastructure, though hilly terrain can be challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
90%
Weight: 15
Excellent train and bus connections to other Swiss cities and neighboring countries.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
70%
Weight: 10
Electric scooter and bike rentals available but not as widespread as in some cities.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
90%
Weight: 20
Strong and reliable mobile network coverage throughout the city.
🔒 VPN Reliability
95%
Weight: 20
VPN services work reliably with no known restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
98%
Weight: 15
Highly reliable and stable power supply.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
68%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available but limited compared to some other major cities.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
40%
Weight: 40
Switzerland has strict visa policies; obtaining long-term stay permits can be challenging.
📊 Tax Friendliness
55%
Weight: 30
Moderate tax rates but complex tax system; not especially favorable for freelancers.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
96%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
98%
Weight: 20
Very stable political environment with low corruption.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
50%
Weight: 15
Banking regulations are strict; opening accounts can be bureaucratic for foreigners.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
62%
Weight: 10
Business registration is straightforward but involves several steps and costs.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available as of 2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
60%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly but high costs and visa restrictions limit appeal.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
55%
Weight: 25
Some events and meetups exist but not as frequent or large-scale as in major nomad hubs.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
63%
Weight: 20
Active online groups but smaller digital nomad community compared to other cities.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
97%
Weight: 100
Extremely safe city with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
89%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and inclusive environment for women.
✊ Racial Tolerance
75%
Weight: 50
Moderate racial tolerance; some challenges for minorities but generally respectful.