Quality of life in Herisau (Appenzell Ausserrhoden) — scores, review and neighborhoods

6.6/ 10
Top 10% in SwitzerlandExcellent
Population
15,172
Commune type
Town

Living in Herisau, a commune of 15172 inhabitants in Canton Appenzell A.Rh. — with an overall score of 6.6/10, this commune is attractive for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Noise (9.5/10) and Nature & Green Spaces (8.8/10). Its score is above the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
9.5
Air Quality
6.8
Public Transport
6.1
Education & Culture
7.8
Nightlife & Dining
6.0
Nature & Green Spaces
8.8
Healthcare
8.8
Taxation
2.9
Annual Sunshine
2.8
Cantonal average

Recommended Profiles

Family
ExcellentTop 5% in Switzerland
mediantop
Young Professional
ExcellentTop 10% in Switzerland
mediantop
Retirement
ExcellentTop 10% in Switzerland
mediantop
Nature
Good
mediantop

For families looking to settle in Switzerland, Herisau achieves a compatibility score of 7.1/10. Key strengths for this profile include Education & Culture and Noise. The Young Professional profile (6.1/10) would find better alternatives in neighboring communes.

Strengths: Herisau excels in Noise (9.5/10) — a quiet environment, ideal for rest and focus, Nature & Green Spaces (8.8/10) — a green environment with many accessible green spaces, Healthcare (8.8/10) — excellent access to doctors, clinics, and hospitals.

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Annual Sunshine (2.8/10), Taxation (2.9/10) — a higher tax burden than average.

Thinking of selling your property here?An established local broker will contact you for a first conversation — free and with no obligation.
Get connected →

We'll connect you with BetterHomes

Some partner links (mortgages, relocation) earn VivaMap a commission. This never influences our scores or rankings. How VivaMap is funded

Key Infrastructure

Education & Culture

Museum HerisauMuseum
Figurentheater-MuseumMuseum
Altes Rathaus Schwänberg (1630)Museum
Bibliothek / Ludothek HerisauLibrary
Alte StuhlfabrikCinema / Theatre
Kulturzentrum CasinoCinema / Theatre
CinetreffCinema / Theatre
Zentrum WerkenSchool

Public Transport

HerisauTrain Station
WilenTrain Station
SchachenTrain Station
Herisau ABTrain Station
MüliBus Stop
Post/CasinoBus Stop
Obere FabrikBus Stop
ObstmarktBus Stop

Healthcare Facilities

Spital HerisauHospital
Psychiatrisches Zentrum ARMedical Centre
Apotheke zur EicheDoctor
Augenklinik AGDoctor
med. dent. LobodaDoctor
PolypraxisDoctor
FischbacherDoctor
Zähne fürs LebenDoctor

Guides to read for this area

Four guides by lifestyle profile and three analyses of this area's strongest criteria.

Considering buying property in Herisau or moving to Canton Appenzell A.Rh.? Our interactive map lets you explore quality of life at the neighborhood level and compare with nearby communes.

Frequently asked questions about Herisau

What's it like to live in Herisau? Resident impressions and quality of life
Herisau compares favorably to neighbors like Waldstatt and Schwellbrunn in environmental quality, with exceptional noise levels at 9.5 and strong nature access at 8.8. However, public transport connectivity lags at 4.6, making car dependency more likely than in some surrounding areas. Air quality scores well at 7.4, and healthcare services are solid at 7.5, supporting daily wellbeing. Worth flagging: education and dining options rank lower at 3.9 and 2.6 respectively, which may concern families or those seeking cultural amenities. Fiscal conditions are modest at 2.9, while sunshine exposure trails at 2.7 due to the region's climate. This mid-sized community of over 15,000 residents near the St. Gallen agglomeration appears well-suited for those prioritizing peaceful, nature-oriented living. Explore the detailed scores on the map to discover how Herisau aligns with your lifestyle priorities.
How sunny and clean is the air in Herisau?
Herisau enjoys notably quieter conditions than its neighbors Waldstatt, Schwellbrunn, and Gossau, with air quality that stands out favorably in the region at 7.4. However, the commune lags considerably in sunshine exposure, scoring just 2.7—a marked weakness compared to many Swiss locations. It is worth noting that the air quality reflects decent environmental management, yet limited daylight hours may affect residents' well-being. The contrast between strong noise and air performance versus weak solar exposure suggests a location with favorable pollution levels but challenging weather patterns. Explore the detailed environmental scores on the map to understand how these factors shape daily life here.
How well-connected is Herisau? Transport, schools, dining
Herisau ranks notably lower on connectivity compared to its neighbors Waldstatt, Schwellbrunn, and Gossau. Transport infrastructure scores 4.6, revealing limited public transit options in this mid-sized commune. Educational facilities present a similar challenge, with a score of 3.9 indicating fewer schooling amenities nearby. Dining and restaurants fare even weaker at 2.6, suggesting limited gastronomic variety. It is worth noting that Herisau compensates with stronger environmental qualities: air quality reaches 7.4 and nature access scores 8.8. Healthcare services are reasonably accessible at 7.5. The commune thus appeals more to those prioritizing natural surroundings over urban conveniences. Explore the detailed map to understand how these factors align with your lifestyle priorities.
What are the neighboring communes of Herisau and how big is it?
Herisau, with a population of 15,172, sits within the St. Gallen agglomeration alongside its neighbors Waldstatt, Schwellbrunn, and Gossau (SG). The commune excels in noise management with a 9.5 score, outperforming its regional peers, while it struggles with restaurant availability at 2.6. Its nature preservation strength of 8.8 contrasts with notably weaker education infrastructure scored at 3.9. Air quality scores a respectable 7.4, yet transportation options remain limited at 4.6. It is worth noting that fiscal conditions are challenging at 2.9. To understand how Herisau compares more deeply with Waldstatt, Schwellbrunn, and Gossau across these dimensions, explore the interactive map for detailed neighborhood analysis.
Is Herisau a tax-friendly municipality?
Herisau's tax environment differs markedly from its neighbors Waldstatt, Schwellbrunn, and Gossau. With a fiscal score of 2.9, this commune ranks as less tax-friendly within the region. However, Herisau compensates in environmental quality, scoring 9.5 for noise levels and 8.8 for nature access. Worth flagging: healthcare services score well at 7.5, though education access trails at 3.9. Transportation connectivity remains limited at 4.6, which may affect overall living costs. It is worth noting that restaurant and leisure options are minimal at 2.6. Prospective residents balancing fiscal considerations with quality-of-life factors should explore the detailed scoring dimensions on the map to weigh priorities.

Neighboring communes of Herisau

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 19.1 %20–64 years 61.6 %65 and over 19.3 %
Density
626 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
+3.5 %
Vacant housing
1.7 %
New dwellings
4.5 per 1,000 inhab.
Social assistance
4.6 %
Tertiary employment
67.9 %

Land use

Built-up area 17.2 %Agricultural land 54.2 %Forest 27.8 %

Source: FSO — Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Appenzell Ausserrhoden (AR)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
47.3792, 9.2707
BFS Number
3001
Last updated
29 June 2026

Data: FSO, geo.admin.ch, OSM — Scores normalised 0-10