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

5.2/ 10
Average
Population
1,382
Commune type
Village

Living in Melchnau, a commune of 1382 inhabitants in Canton Bern. With an overall score of 5.2/10, this commune is average for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Nature & Green Spaces (9/10) and Noise (8.4/10). Its score is below the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
8.4
Air Quality
4.2
Public Transport
2.2
Education & Culture
5.2
Nightlife & Dining
6.0
Nature & Green Spaces
9.0
Healthcare
6.5
Taxation
1.3
Annual Sunshine
4.1
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

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

For nature lovers looking to settle in Switzerland, Melchnau achieves a compatibility score of 6/10. Key strengths for this profile include Nature & Green Spaces and Noise. The Young Professional profile (4.5/10) would find better alternatives in neighboring communes.

Strengths: Melchnau excels in Nature & Green Spaces (9/10, a green environment with many accessible green spaces), Noise (8.4/10, a quiet environment, ideal for rest and focus), Healthcare (6.5/10, excellent access to doctors, clinics, and hospitals).

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Taxation (1.3/10, a higher tax burden than average), Public Transport (2.2/10, limited public transport connections), Annual Sunshine (4.1/10).

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Key Infrastructure

Education & Culture

Primarschule MelchnauSchool

Public Transport

Melchnau OberdorfBus Stop
Melchnau FabrikBus Stop
Melchnau UnterdorfBus Stop
GjuchBus Stop

Healthcare Facilities

Hausarztpraxis MelchnauDoctor

Guides to read for this area

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

Considering buying property in Melchnau 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 Melchnau

What's it like to live in Melchnau? Resident impressions and quality of life
Melchnau distinguishes itself through exceptional nature access and quiet surroundings, scoring 9.0 for nature and 8.4 for low noise levels. These strengths make it appealing for residents prioritizing tranquility and outdoor proximity. Additionally, healthcare access is reasonably solid at 6.5, and dining options register at 6.0. The commune's weaker dimensions include transport connectivity at just 2.2 and fiscal attractiveness at 1.3, meaning car dependency is likely and tax burdens are comparatively high. Education sits at a moderate 5.2, while air quality at 4.2 and sunshine at 4.1 are modest. Thus, Melchnau trades urban convenience and low taxation for a peaceful, nature-rich setting. Neighboring communes include Busswil bei Melchnau, Reisiswil, and Altbüron. The main tradeoff is clear: strong environmental quality and calm living come at the cost of limited transit links and elevated local taxes.
How sunny and clean is the air in Melchnau?
Melchnau distinguishes itself through exceptional nature and quiet, with nature scoring 9 and noise at 8.4. Air quality is moderate at 4.2, while sunshine sits at 4.1, so the commune is cleaner than it is bright. Additionally, transport is limited at 2.2, and fiscal pressure is very high at 1.3. Thus, residents gain calm and green surroundings, but must accept modest sunshine, average air purity, and weak transit links. Neighboring communes include Busswil bei Melchnau, Reisiswil, and Altbüron. The main tradeoff is clear: strong environmental calm and nature come with limited sun exposure and poor transport connectivity.
How well-connected is Melchnau? Transport, schools, dining
Melchnau stands out for its exceptional quiet and abundant nature, scoring 8.4 on noise and 9.0 on nature access. These are the commune's strongest dimensions, offering a peaceful rural setting within the Bern agglomeration. Additionally, healthcare is decent at 6.5 and dining options reach 6.0. The weaker side is connectivity: transport scores only 2.2, and education sits at 5.2, while fiscal attractiveness is very low at 1.3. Thus, Melchnau trades accessibility and schooling for tranquility and green surroundings. Neighboring communes include Busswil bei Melchnau, Reisiswil, and Altbüron. The main tradeoff is clear: residents gain remarkable calm and nature but must accept limited public transport links and fewer local amenities.
What are the neighboring communes of Melchnau and how big is it?
Melchnau is a small Bernese commune of 1,382 residents within the Bern agglomeration, distinguished by its strong nature score of 9 and low noise level of 8.4. It shares borders with three neighboring communes: Busswil bei Melchnau, Reisiswil, and Altbüron. Additionally, the commune records a solid health score of 6.5 and a restaurant score of 6. Weaker dimensions include transport at 2.2, fiscal attractiveness at 1.3, and sunshine at 4.1. Thus, Melchnau's main tradeoff is clear: it offers quiet, nature-rich living with basic amenities, but residents accept limited public transport connections and a less favorable tax position compared with other communes.
Is Melchnau a tax-friendly municipality?
Melchnau is not a tax-friendly municipality, as its fiscal score of 1.3 is the lowest value among all its rated dimensions. What distinguishes the commune instead is its exceptional nature score of 9, followed by a strong noise score of 8.4, indicating a quiet, green setting. Air quality, at 4.2, and transport, at 2.2, are considerably weaker. Additionally, the commune borders Busswil bei Melchnau, Reisiswil, and Altbüron. Thus, the main tradeoff is clear: Melchnau offers an attractive natural and quiet environment, but residents pay for this with very high local taxation and limited public transport connections.

Neighboring communes of Melchnau

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 21.3 %20–64 years 55.7 %65 and over 23 %
Density
145 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
-3.3 %
Vacant housing
3.5 %
New dwellings
5.2 per 1,000 inhab.
Social assistance
4.9 %
Tertiary employment
57.6 %

Land use

Built-up area 7.7 %Agricultural land 56.9 %Forest 35.1 %

Source: FSO, Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Bern (BE)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
47.1783, 7.8502
BFS Number
333
Last updated
7 October 2026

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