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

5.7/ 10
Average
Population
738
Commune type
Hamlet

Living in Oberthal, a commune of 738 inhabitants in Canton Bern — with an overall score of 5.7/10, this commune is average for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Noise (9.7/10) and Nature & Green Spaces (9.7/10). Its score is in line with the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
9.7
Air Quality
7.3
Public Transport
5.0
Education & Culture
3.9
Nightlife & Dining
3.2
Nature & Green Spaces
9.7
Healthcare
5.2
Taxation
1.0
Annual Sunshine
5.9
Cantonal average

Recommended Profiles

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

For nature lovers looking to settle in Switzerland, Oberthal achieves a compatibility score of 7.3/10. Key strengths for this profile include Nature & Green Spaces and Noise. The Young Professional profile (4.9/10) would find better alternatives in neighboring communes.

Strengths: Oberthal excels in Noise (9.7/10) — a quiet environment, ideal for rest and focus, Nature & Green Spaces (9.7/10) — a green environment with many accessible green spaces, Air Quality (7.3/10) — clean air with low pollutant concentrations.

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Taxation (1/10) — a higher tax burden than average, Nightlife & Dining (3.2/10) — limited dining and nightlife options, Education & Culture (3.9/10) — limited educational and cultural infrastructure.

Explore the map for more details →

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

Key Infrastructure

Education & Culture

Schule OberthalSchool

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 Bern as a Family
Young Professional
Where to Live in Bern as a Young Professional
Retirement
Where to Live in Bern in Retirement
Nature
Where to Live in Bern Close to Nature

Frequently asked questions about Oberthal

What's it like to live in Oberthal? Resident impressions and quality of life
Oberthal is defined by exceptional environmental quietness and natural surroundings, with noise and nature scores both reaching 9.7. This small commune of 738 inhabitants offers a peaceful rural setting that appeals to those prioritizing countryside living. Air quality is strong at 7.9, further supporting a health-conscious lifestyle. The trade-off emerges in urban conveniences: transport infrastructure scores 0, and dining and education options are minimal at 1 and 1.6 respectively. Situated near the Bern agglomeration alongside neighbors Zäziwil, Arni, and Bowil, Oberthal suits residents seeking tranquility and nature yet willing to travel for services and activities unavailable locally.
How sunny and clean is the air in Oberthal?
Oberthal excels in noise protection and natural surroundings, with exceptional air quality at 7.9 that reflects its rural setting. The commune's most distinctive strength is its remarkably low noise levels, scoring 9.7—matching its equally impressive nature score of 9.7. Sunshine exposure, however, is moderate at 5.9, suggesting typical Alpine valley conditions. Located in the Bern agglomeration yet bordered by quieter neighbors including Zäziwil, Arni, and Bowil, Oberthal offers clean air and silence at the tradeoff of less consistent sunlight than lower-elevation areas.
How well-connected is Oberthal? Transport, schools, dining
Oberthal struggles significantly with connectivity across transport, education, and dining amenities. The commune scores 0 for transport accessibility, indicating minimal public transit infrastructure or proximity to major routes. Schools present another challenge, with an education score of 1.6, reflecting limited local educational facilities. Dining options are equally sparse, scoring just 1. However, Oberthal's exceptional natural environment compensates somewhat—nature scores 9.7, alongside equally impressive air quality at 9.7. The commune's location within the Bern agglomeration suggests residents may access services in neighboring areas like Zäziwil, Arni, or Bowil. The fundamental tradeoff here is clear: Oberthal prioritizes rural tranquility and environmental quality over urban convenience and service availability.
What are the neighboring communes of Oberthal and how big is it?
Oberthal is a small rural commune in the Bern agglomeration with 738 inhabitants. It is surrounded by three neighbors: Zäziwil, Arni (BE), and Bowil. The commune distinguishes itself through exceptional environmental quality, with outstanding scores in air purity at 7.9 and nature at 9.7, reflecting its peaceful countryside setting. Sound levels are equally impressive at 9.7, making it notably quiet. However, the commune faces significant challenges in transport connectivity and education infrastructure, scoring 0 and 1.6 respectively. This reflects the classic tradeoff of small rural communes: pristine natural surroundings and tranquility come at the cost of limited urban services and accessibility.
Is Oberthal a tax-friendly municipality?
Oberthal is not a tax-friendly municipality, with a fiscal score of 1 out of 10. This small commune of 738 inhabitants prioritizes environmental quality instead—it achieves exceptional marks in noise reduction and nature access, both scoring 9.7. The tradeoff is clear: residents accept higher tax burdens in exchange for outstanding air quality, minimal noise pollution, and excellent natural surroundings. Those seeking fiscal advantages should explore neighboring communes like Zäziwil, Arni, or Bowil, though Oberthal remains compelling for those valuing pristine environmental conditions over tax savings.

Neighboring communes of Oberthal

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 19.6 %20–64 years 59.5 %65 and over 20.9 %
Density
69 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
-8.0 %
Vacant housing
4.0 %
New dwellings
0.0 per 1,000 inhab.
Social assistance
1.4 %
Tertiary employment
47.8 %

Land use

Built-up area 5.2 %Agricultural land 62.8 %Forest 31.9 %

Source: FSO — Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Bern (BE)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
46.9181, 7.6796
BFS Number
620
Last updated
29 June 2026

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

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