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Quality of life in Riehen (Basel-Stadt) — scores, review and neighborhoods

7.1/ 10
Top 3% in Switzerland#1 in the cantonExceptional
Population
18,674
Commune type
Town

Living in Riehen, a commune of 18674 inhabitants in Canton Basel-Stadt — with an overall score of 7.1/10, this commune is attractive for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Noise (9.8/10) and Healthcare (9.7/10). Its score is in line with the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
9.8
Air Quality
4.3
Public Transport
7.3
Education & Culture
9.4
Nightlife & Dining
7.2
Nature & Green Spaces
7.6
Healthcare
9.7
Taxation
4.6
Annual Sunshine
4.3
Cantonal average

Recommended Profiles

Family
ExceptionalTop 1% in Switzerland
mediantop
Young Professional
ExceptionalTop 3% in Switzerland
mediantop
Retirement
ExcellentTop 5% in Switzerland
mediantop
Nature
Good
mediantop

For families looking to settle in Switzerland, Riehen achieves a compatibility score of 7.5/10. Key strengths for this profile include Education & Culture and Noise. The Nature profile (6.8/10) would find better alternatives in neighboring communes.

Strengths: Riehen excels in Noise (9.8/10) — a quiet environment, ideal for rest and focus, Healthcare (9.7/10) — excellent access to doctors, clinics, and hospitals, Education & Culture (9.4/10) — excellent access to schools, libraries, and cultural venues.

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Annual Sunshine (4.3/10), Air Quality (4.3/10) — degraded air quality from traffic emissions, Taxation (4.6/10) — a higher tax burden than average.

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Key Infrastructure

Education & Culture

Fondation BeyelerMuseum
Spielzeugmuseum RiehenMuseum
Gedenkstätte für Flüchtlinge zur Zeit des 2. WeltkriegsMuseum
Sammlung Friedhof am HörnliMuseum
Bibliothek DorfLibrary
Bibliothek NiederholzLibrary
Primarschule BurgstrasseSchool
Primarstufe ErlensträsschenSchool

Public Transport

RiehenTrain Station
Riehen NiederholzTrain Station
BettingerstrasseTram Stop
Riehen DorfTram Stop
Fondation BeyelerTram Stop
PfaffenlohTram Stop
WeilstrasseTram Stop
BurgstrasseTram Stop

Healthcare Facilities

Adullam SpitalHospital
Klinik SonnenhaldeMedical Centre
Amavita RiehenDoctor
AmavitaDoctor
Hausarztpraxis PfaffenlohDoctor
Wiesen ApothekeDoctor
Dr. med. StrickerDoctor
Gruppenpraxis Altmann, Lederer, Prince, ChristDoctor

Guides to read for this area

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

By lifestyle profile

Family
Where to Live in Basel as a Family
Young Professional
Where to Live in Basel as a Young Professional
Retirement
Where to Live in Basel in Retirement
Nature
Where to Live in Basel Close to Nature
Explore the map for more details →

Considering buying property in Riehen or moving to Canton Basel-Stadt? Our interactive map lets you explore quality of life at the neighborhood level and compare with nearby communes.

Frequently asked questions about Riehen

What's it like to live in Riehen? Resident impressions and quality of life
Riehen stands out for its exceptionally low noise pollution, scoring 9.8 on quietness—a defining feature of daily life here. The commune excels in nature access with a score of 7.6, offering residents strong connections to green spaces and outdoor recreation. Healthcare services are also robust at 8.2, supporting wellbeing across the community. However, dining and restaurant options score lower at 3.9, suggesting limited gastronomic variety locally. As a suburban municipality of 18,674 residents neighboring Basel, Bettingen, and Birsfelden, Riehen balances proximity to urban conveniences with quieter, nature-rich living. Explore the detailed scores on the map to discover how other dimensions align with your lifestyle priorities.
How sunny and clean is the air in Riehen?
Riehen stands out with an exceptional noise score of 9.8, reflecting a notably quiet environment. The air quality is moderate at 6.4, suggesting reasonable conditions though not pristine. Sunshine levels are comparatively lower at 4.3, indicating frequent cloud cover typical of the region. The commune's nature score of 7.6 demonstrates solid access to green spaces and natural amenities, yet sunshine remains a consideration for those seeking brighter conditions. Nonetheless, the strong noise performance combined with decent air quality creates a pleasant residential setting. Explore the detailed scores on the map to assess how these factors align with your priorities.
How well-connected is Riehen? Transport, schools, dining
Riehen stands out for its exceptional noise environment, scoring 9.8 on air quality and soundscape measures. The commune offers solid connectivity through public transport, which scores 6.0, supported by reasonable education facilities at 6.0 as well. Dining options, however, remain more limited, scoring 3.9. Located between Basel, Bettingen, and Birsfelden, Riehen benefits from its position within the Basel agglomeration, providing access to broader regional amenities despite modest local restaurant availability. Discover how these dimensions shape daily life by exploring the full profile on the map.
What are the neighboring communes of Riehen and how big is it?
Riehen stands out for its exceptional noise control, scoring 9.8 on sound quality—among Switzerland's strongest. With a population of 18,674, this Basel-City commune benefits from solid environmental and health conditions, particularly its nature score of 7.6 and health rating of 8.2. The locality borders three communes: Bettingen, Birsfelden, and Basel, positioning it within a well-connected regional network. Yet its dining and fiscal profiles remain more modest, scoring 3.9 and 4.6 respectively. Explore the detailed scoring breakdown and map view to understand how Riehen compares across all quality dimensions.
Is Riehen a tax-friendly municipality?
Riehen stands out for its noise control, scoring 9.8 on sound quality—notably high for an agglomeration setting. The commune also performs well in healthcare at 8.2 and nature access at 7.6, reflecting strong environmental and wellness dimensions. However, taxation presents a different picture, with a fiscal score of 4.6, indicating moderate tax burden relative to cantonal standards. Neighboring Bettingen, Birsfelden, and Basel may offer points of comparison for those prioritizing tax efficiency. Explore the detailed scoring on the map to weigh Riehen's full profile against your priorities.

Neighboring communes of Riehen

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 20.8 %20–64 years 53.5 %65 and over 25.7 %
Density
1,973 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
+4.1 %
Vacant housing
1.0 %
New dwellings
1.4 per 1,000 inhab.
Social assistance
3.4 %
Tertiary employment
88.2 %

Land use

Built-up area 47.6 %Agricultural land 25.4 %Forest 24.9 %

Source: FSO — Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Basel-Stadt (BS)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
47.5793, 7.6544
BFS Number
2703
Last updated
29 June 2026

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

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