Quality of life in Lauenen (Bern) — scores, review and neighborhoods

4.6/ 10
Average
Population
716
Commune type
Hamlet

Living in Lauenen, a commune of 716 inhabitants in Canton Bern — with an overall score of 4.6/10, this commune is average for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Noise (10/10) and Nature & Green Spaces (9.8/10). Its score is below the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
10.0
Air Quality
9.3
Public Transport
5.0
Education & Culture
0.5
Nightlife & Dining
0.8
Nature & Green Spaces
9.8
Healthcare
2.6
Taxation
1.3
Annual Sunshine
2.3
Cantonal average

Lauenen's national strengths

Per our methodology

Recommended Profiles

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

For nature lovers looking to settle in Switzerland, Lauenen achieves a compatibility score of 7/10. 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: Lauenen excels in Noise (10/10) — a quiet environment, ideal for rest and focus, Nature & Green Spaces (9.8/10) — a green environment with many accessible green spaces, Air Quality (9.3/10) — clean air with low pollutant concentrations.

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Education & Culture (0.5/10) — limited educational and cultural infrastructure, Nightlife & Dining (0.8/10) — limited dining and nightlife options, Taxation (1.3/10) — 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

Public Transport

Lauenen b. Gstaad,Under TungelBus Stop
LauenenseeBus Stop
BochteBus Stop
FängliBus Stop
UnterschüpfBus Stop
RohrbrückeBus Stop
Lauenen, GeltenhornBus Stop
Lauenen b. Gstaad, MoosBus Stop

Guides to read for this area

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

Considering buying property in Lauenen 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 Lauenen

What's it like to live in Lauenen? Resident impressions and quality of life
Lauenen stands out as an exceptionally quiet alpine commune where natural surroundings define daily life. Air quality scores 9.5 and nature access reaches 9.8, reflecting pristine mountain conditions that attract those seeking environmental refuge. Sound levels rank at 10, underscoring the peaceful setting shared with neighboring Gsteig, Lenk, and Ayent. It is worth noting that healthcare access scores only 3.1, and dining options remain minimal at 0.2, reflecting the commune's remote character with just 716 residents. The core tradeoff is clear: Lauenen delivers outstanding air, quiet, and nature at the cost of limited urban amenities and services.
How sunny and clean is the air in Lauenen?
Lauenen excels in air quality with a score of 9.5, reflecting exceptionally clean mountain air and minimal pollution. Nature scores an outstanding 9.8, underscoring the commune's pristine Alpine environment with abundant forests and open landscapes. It is worth noting that sunshine is considerably limited, scoring just 2.3—a typical constraint for communes nestled in valleys surrounded by peaks. This small community of 716 residents, nestled among neighbors Gsteig, Lenk, and Ayent, trades abundant daylight for the environmental purity that defines its character. The tradeoff is clear: exceptional air and natural surroundings come at the cost of reduced solar exposure.
How well-connected is Lauenen? Transport, schools, dining
Lauenen is a rural Alpine commune where connectivity is severely limited. With a transport score of 0, the commune lacks conventional public transit infrastructure—a defining constraint for residents. Dining options are equally sparse, scoring 0.2, while educational facilities score 0, meaning families must look elsewhere for schooling. Worth flagging: this isolation is the explicit tradeoff residents accept. The commune's genuine strengths lie elsewhere—exceptional air quality at 9.5 and outstanding natural environment at 9.8 make Lauenen attractive for those prioritizing mountain living and outdoor access over urban convenience. Neighbors Gsteig, Lenk, and Ayent face similar constraints. Lauenen fundamentally exchanges modern connectivity for pristine nature and peace.
What are the neighboring communes of Lauenen and how big is it?
Lauenen is a very small commune in the Bern canton with just 716 inhabitants, nestled in a mountainous region alongside Gsteig, Lenk, and Ayent. What distinguishes this commune is its exceptional natural environment—it scores 9.8 for nature and 9.5 for air quality, reflecting pristine alpine conditions with minimal noise pollution at 10. It is worth noting that infrastructure for transport and dining is extremely limited, scoring near zero in both dimensions. The main tradeoff here is clear: Lauenen offers uncompromising natural beauty and clean air for those seeking remote mountain living, but residents accept minimal public services and amenities in exchange.
Is Lauenen a tax-friendly municipality?
Lauenen is not a tax-friendly municipality. With a tax score of 1.3, it ranks among the less favorable communes for fiscal conditions in its region. It is worth noting that this small commune of 716 residents compensates elsewhere—particularly in environmental quality, where it excels with air quality and nature scores of 9.5 and 9.8 respectively. The main tradeoff is clear: those seeking Lauenen prioritize its exceptional natural setting and clean air over tax advantages, making it better suited for residents who value landscape and quiet over cost efficiency.

Neighboring communes of Lauenen

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 21 %20–64 years 57.5 %65 and over 21.5 %
Density
14 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
+2.6 %
Vacant housing
1.5 %
New dwellings
0.0 per 1,000 inhab.
Social assistance
1.2 %
Tertiary employment
39.2 %

Land use

Built-up area 1.3 %Agricultural land 38.2 %Forest 24.8 %

Source: FSO — Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Bern (BE)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
46.4003, 7.3435
BFS Number
842
Last updated
29 June 2026

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