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

4.2/ 10
Average
Population
4,428
Commune type
Village

Living in Meiringen, a commune of 4428 inhabitants in Canton Bern — with an overall score of 4.2/10, this commune is below average for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Noise (9.7/10) and Nature & Green Spaces (9.4/10). Its score is below the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
9.7
Air Quality
8.2
Public Transport
0.1
Education & Culture
3.5
Nightlife & Dining
2.5
Nature & Green Spaces
9.4
Healthcare
2.1
Taxation
1.1
Annual Sunshine
1.5
Cantonal average

Recommended Profiles

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

For nature lovers looking to settle in Switzerland, Meiringen achieves a compatibility score of 6.3/10. Key strengths for this profile include Nature & Green Spaces and Noise. The Young Professional profile (3.3/10) would find better alternatives in neighboring communes.

Strengths: Meiringen excels in Noise (9.7/10) — a quiet environment, ideal for rest and focus, Nature & Green Spaces (9.4/10) — a green environment with many accessible green spaces, Air Quality (8.2/10) — clean air with low pollutant concentrations.

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Public Transport (0.1/10) — limited public transport connections, Taxation (1.1/10) — a higher tax burden than average, Annual Sunshine (1.5/10).

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Key Infrastructure

Education & Culture

Museum der Landschaft HasliMuseum
Hangar 1Museum
Sherlock-Holmes-MuseumMuseum
Kino MeiringenCinema / Theatre
Schule BrünigenSchool
Primarschule HausenSchool
PfrundmatteSchool
Volkshochschule Haslital/Region BrienzSchool

Public Transport

Brünig-HaslibergTrain Station
MeiringenTrain Station
Alpbach MIBTrain Station
Aareschlucht WestTrain Station
BrunnenfluhTrain Station
ZaunstraßeBus Stop
RollfeldBus Stop
GnollBus Stop

Healthcare Facilities

Gesundheitszentrum OberhasliDoctor
DROPA Drogerie SchumacherDoctor
Medbase ApothekeDoctor
Hasli-ApothekeDoctor

Guides to read for this area

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

Considering buying property in Meiringen 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 Meiringen

What's it like to live in Meiringen? Resident impressions and quality of life
Meiringen stands out as a commune where natural environment dominates the quality-of-life equation. The weakest dimensions are public transport (0) and education (1.4), presenting notable challenges for commuters and families with school-age children. The commune excels in environmental quality, with noise pollution nearly absent at 9.7 and air quality strong at 8.9. Nature access is equally compelling at 9.4, reflecting the Alpine setting shared with neighbors Schattenhalb, Brienzwiler, and Brienz. Healthcare services (2.5) and fiscal conditions (1.1) remain modest. It is worth noting that residents trade accessibility and urban amenities for exceptional natural surroundings and clean air—a tradeoff that appeals to those prioritizing landscape and tranquility over convenience.
How sunny and clean is the air in Meiringen?
Meiringen excels in air quality with a score of 8.9, ranking among its strongest environmental attributes. However, sunshine is a notable weakness, scoring just 1.5—reflecting the commune's Alpine valley location where mountains limit direct sunlight exposure. It is worth noting that despite modest sun hours, Meiringen compensates with exceptional noise levels at 9.7 and outstanding natural surroundings at 9.4. The tradeoff here is clear: residents gain pristine air and serene acoustic conditions at the cost of reduced daylight, a characteristic typical of mountain valleys in the Bernese Oberland between neighbors Schattenhalb, Brienzwiler, and Brienz.
How well-connected is Meiringen? Transport, schools, dining
Meiringen stands out for exceptional environmental quality but faces significant connectivity challenges across transport, education, and dining. The commune scores 0 on transport accessibility, reflecting limited public transit and road connections, while education and dining options are equally sparse at 1.4 and 1 respectively. In stark contrast, nature access ranks at 9.4, and air quality at 8.9, making this an isolated alpine setting. Worth flagging: residents seeking schools, restaurants, or efficient transit will need to look beyond immediate borders or neighboring communities like Brienz and Brienzwiler. The tradeoff is clear—Meiringen prioritizes natural environment and tranquility over urban convenience and services.
What are the neighboring communes of Meiringen and how big is it?
Meiringen is a small commune in the Bern canton with a population of 4,428 residents. It borders three neighbors: Schattenhalb, Brienzwiler, and Brienz (BE). The commune stands out for exceptional environmental quality, with a noise score of 9.7 and air quality at 8.9, alongside strong natural surroundings scoring 9.4. It is worth noting that education, transport, and fiscal conditions score considerably lower, at 1.4, 0, and 1.1 respectively. The main tradeoff reflects a commune shaped by its natural Alpine setting—pristine and quiet but with limited urban services and infrastructure.
Is Meiringen a tax-friendly municipality?
Meiringen is not a tax-friendly municipality. Its fiscal score of 1.1 ranks it among the least favorable for taxation in its region. Worth flagging: the commune's weakness in fiscal policy contrasts sharply with its environmental strengths. Meiringen excels in noise pollution control at 9.7 and nature access at 9.4, reflecting its Alpine location near neighbors like Brienz and Brienzwiler. Air quality also scores well at 8.9. However, limited public transport (0) and minimal restaurant and education infrastructure further compound the fiscal disadvantage. The tradeoff is clear: Meiringen prioritizes natural environment and tranquility over tax competitiveness and service accessibility.

Neighboring communes of Meiringen

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 18.2 %20–64 years 59.9 %65 and over 21.9 %
Density
114 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
+1.2 %
Vacant housing
0.8 %
New dwellings
6.6 per 1,000 inhab.
Social assistance
2.2 %
Tertiary employment
72.6 %

Land use

Built-up area 7.5 %Agricultural land 43.7 %Forest 32.6 %

Source: FSO — Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Bern (BE)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
46.7092, 8.1363
BFS Number
785
Last updated
29 June 2026

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