Quality of life in Berken (Bern): scores, review and neighborhoods

5.0/ 10
Average
Population
54
Commune type
Hamlet

Living in Berken, a commune of 54 inhabitants in Canton Bern. With an overall score of 5/10, this commune is average for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Nature & Green Spaces (9.5/10) and Noise (8.9/10). Its score is below the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
8.9
Air Quality
5.2
Public Transport
0.1
Education & Culture
4.3
Nightlife & Dining
4.7
Nature & Green Spaces
9.5
Healthcare
5.9
Taxation
2.6
Annual Sunshine
4.2
Cantonal average

These scores summarise the living environment where residents actually live, not across the whole municipal territory. The map, by contrast, colours the territory: a highly rated commune can still show large, often uninhabited areas with weaker values.

Recommended Profiles

Nature
Fair
mediantop
Retirement
Average
mediantop
Family
Average
mediantop
Young Professional
Average
mediantop

For nature lovers looking to settle in Switzerland, Berken achieves a compatibility score of 6.4/10. Key strengths for this profile include Nature & Green Spaces and Noise. The Young Professional profile (4.1/10) would find better alternatives in neighboring communes.

Strengths: Berken excels in Nature & Green Spaces (9.5/10, a green environment with many accessible green spaces), Noise (8.9/10, a quiet environment, ideal for rest and focus).

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Public Transport (0.1/10, limited public transport connections), Taxation (2.6/10, a higher tax burden than average), Annual Sunshine (4.2/10).

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Guides to read for this area

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

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

Frequently asked questions about Berken

What's it like to live in Berken? Resident impressions and quality of life
Living in Berken means quiet and green: nature scores 9.5 and noise sits at 8.9, the two strongest dimensions in this small Bern commune of 54 residents. Air quality is a moderate 5.2. Daily life is very car-dependent, though, since transport scores just 0.1, and dining options are limited at 4.7. Neighboring communes include Walliswil bei Niederbipp, Walliswil bei Wangen and Graben. It is worth noting that healthcare (5.9) and education (4.3) are middling, while fiscal attractiveness is low at 2.6. The main tradeoff is clear: exceptional calm and nature come with minimal public transport and few local amenities, so residents accept long trips for most everyday needs.
How sunny and clean is the air in Berken?
Berken stands out for its nature score of 9.5, among the strongest dimensions for this small commune of 54 residents in the Biel/Bienne agglomeration. Air quality is more moderate, with a score of 5.2, while sunshine sits at 4.2, suggesting relatively limited bright days compared with other locations. It is worth noting that noise exposure scores well at 8.9, reinforcing the quiet rural character. The weaker side is transport, at just 0.1, which reflects very limited connectivity. Worth flagging that education (4.3) and dining (4.7) also remain modest. The main tradeoff is clear: Berken offers exceptional nature and low noise, but residents accept weaker air quality, modest sunshine, and minimal transport links.
How well-connected is Berken? Transport, schools, dining
Berken scores 9.5 for nature and 8.9 for noise, its two strongest dimensions by a clear margin. Air quality sits at 5.2, a moderate result. On connectivity, however, the picture changes sharply: transport scores just 0.1, the weakest value in this profile. Education reaches 4.3 and dining 4.7, both below the midpoint. It is worth noting that with only 54 inhabitants, such low transport and amenity scores reflect the commune's very small size rather than any particular deficiency. Neighboring communes include Walliswil bei Niederbipp, Walliswil bei Wangen and Graben. The main tradeoff is clear: exceptional quiet and natural surroundings come at the cost of minimal public transport and limited local schooling and dining options.
What are the neighboring communes of Berken and how big is it?
With a population of just 54, Berken ranks among Switzerland's smallest communes, and its most striking score is nature at 9.5, paired with a strong quietness score of 8.9. Air quality sits at a moderate 5.2. The commune borders three neighbors: Walliswil bei Niederbipp, Walliswil bei Wangen, and Graben. Transport connectivity is the clear weak point at 0.1, reflecting the limited public transport options typical of such a small settlement. Worth flagging, the tradeoff here is straightforward: exceptional nature and quiet come at the cost of near-absent transport links, so residents depend heavily on private vehicles for access to the Biel/Bienne agglomeration and beyond.
Is Berken a tax-friendly municipality?
Berken scores 9.5 for nature and 8.9 for noise, making it an exceptionally quiet, green place to live. Air quality is a solid 5.2. On tax friendliness, however, the picture is less favourable: the fiscalite score sits at just 2.6, which is among the weaker dimensions for this small commune of 54 residents in the Biel/Bienne agglomeration. It is worth noting that transport access scores only 0.1, so car dependency is high. Neighbouring communes include Walliswil bei Niederbipp, Walliswil bei Wangen and Graben. The main tradeoff is clear: Berken offers outstanding peace and natural surroundings, but residents accept limited mobility and a modest tax position rather than a fiscally advantageous one.

Neighboring communes of Berken

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 2.4 %20–64 years 65.9 %65 and over 31.7 %
Density
30 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
-16.3 %
Vacant housing
0 %
New dwellings
0.0 per 1,000 inhab.
Tertiary employment
50 %

Land use

Built-up area 11.4 %Agricultural land 52.9 %Forest 30 %

Source: FSO, Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Bern (BE)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
47.2257, 7.7010
BFS Number
972
Last updated
7 October 2026

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