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

7.2/ 10
Top 3% in Switzerland#1 in the cantonExceptional
Population
16,993
Commune type
Town

Living in Ostermundigen, a commune of 16993 inhabitants in Canton Bern — with an overall score of 7.2/10, this commune is attractive for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Healthcare (9.8/10) and Education & Culture (9.5/10). Its score is above the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
8.5
Air Quality
5.7
Public Transport
6.7
Education & Culture
9.5
Nightlife & Dining
8.9
Nature & Green Spaces
7.6
Healthcare
9.8
Taxation
1.4
Annual Sunshine
6.3
Cantonal average

Ostermundigen's national strengths

Per our methodology

Recommended Profiles

Family
ExceptionalTop 3% in Switzerland
mediantop
Young Professional
ExceptionalTop 3% in Switzerland
mediantop
Retirement
ExcellentTop 5% in Switzerland
mediantop
Nature
Good
mediantop

For families looking to settle in Switzerland, Ostermundigen achieves a compatibility score of 7.4/10. Key strengths for this profile include Education & Culture and Noise. The Young Professional profile (6.8/10) would find better alternatives in neighboring communes.

Strengths: Ostermundigen excels in Healthcare (9.8/10) — excellent access to doctors, clinics, and hospitals, Education & Culture (9.5/10) — excellent access to schools, libraries, and cultural venues, Nightlife & Dining (8.9/10) — a rich selection of restaurants, bars, and entertainment.

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Taxation (1.4/10) — a higher tax burden than average.

Considering buying property in Ostermundigen 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

Gemeindebibliothek und Ludothek OstermundigenLibrary
Schule BernstrasseSchool
Schule DennigkofenSchool
Schule RütiSchool
Schule RothusSchool
Schule MösliSchool

Public Transport

OstermundigenTrain Station
WegmühlegässliBus Stop
BlankwegBus Stop
ZollgasseBus Stop
DennigkofenBus Stop
Ostermundigen RütiBus Stop
Ostermundigen FreibadBus Stop
WaldheimstrasseBus Stop

Healthcare Facilities

KinderklinikMedical Centre
AmavitaDoctor
Wegmühle-Apotheke OstermundigenDoctor
Bären Apotheke OstermundigenDoctor
Medizinisches Zentrum VivaDoctor
Augenoptik & Hörakustik StahlDoctor
MoserDoctor

Guides to read for this area

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

Frequently asked questions about Ostermundigen

What's it like to live in Ostermundigen? Resident impressions and quality of life
Ostermundigen stands out compared to neighbors Stettlen, Muri bei Bern, and Bolligen for its notably quieter environment, with a noise score of 8.5. Health services fare well at 8.1, though the commune struggles significantly with taxation at 1.4, making it less attractive financially. Nature access scores 7.6, offsetting weaker education provision at 6.6. Air quality registers 6.2, while restaurant and dining options remain limited at 4.8. It is worth noting that public transport connectivity scores just 5.3, potentially requiring personal mobility. Sunlight exposure averages 6.3, providing moderate brightness throughout the year. This profile suits retirees prioritizing peace and healthcare access, though families should carefully weigh the tax burden and education limitations against the strong environmental and wellness indicators.
How sunny and clean is the air in Ostermundigen?
Ostermundigen's air quality compares favourably to neighbours like Stettlen and Muri bei Bern, with a strong noise score of 8.5 indicating a relatively calm environment that supports air stability. However, the air quality score of 6.2 remains moderate rather than exceptional, suggesting some exposure to regional pollution. Sunshine exposure reaches 6.3, a respectable mid-range result that provides decent daylight hours throughout the year. Worth flagging is the gap between noise control and air purity—while Ostermundigen excels at managing sound pollution, atmospheric conditions reflect typical agglomeration pressures from its proximity to Bern. The commune balances reasonable environmental comfort with urban trade-offs. This profile suits families and young professionals seeking suburban livability over pristine countryside conditions.
How well-connected is Ostermundigen? Transport, schools, dining
Ostermundigen ranks below its neighbors Stettlen, Muri bei Bern, and Bolligen in transport connectivity, scoring 5.3 compared to their stronger regional performance. Education provision is more competitive at 6.6, reflecting adequate institutional support for families and students. The dining and restaurant scene, however, trails significantly at 4.8, offering limited gastronomy options within the commune itself. It is worth noting that health services perform robustly at 8.1, compensating partly for weaker amenities elsewhere. Proximity to Bern's agglomeration does provide indirect access to broader services, though local convenience remains moderate. Young professionals seeking immediate walkability and dining variety may find limited appeal, while families prioritizing education and healthcare will find more compelling reasons to settle here.
What are the neighboring communes of Ostermundigen and how big is it?
Ostermundigen, with a population of 16,993, is notably larger than its neighbors Stettlen, Muri bei Bern, and Bolligen, positioning it as a significant residential hub in the Bern agglomeration. The commune excels in noise management with a score of 8.5, though it faces challenges in fiscal attractiveness at just 1.4. Its healthcare infrastructure scores strongly at 8.1, while restaurant and dining options lag at 4.8. Green spaces and nature access rate well at 7.6, contrasting with modest public transport connectivity at 5.3. It is worth noting that education services score 6.6, supporting families seeking suburban stability. This profile suits families prioritizing quiet residential settings and healthcare access over vibrant dining scenes.
Is Ostermundigen a tax-friendly municipality?
Ostermundigen stands apart from its neighbors Stettlen, Muri bei Bern, and Bolligen primarily on fiscal matters. With a tax score of 1.4, this commune ranks considerably lower on tax-friendliness compared to regional peers. It is worth noting that while Ostermundigen excels in noise protection at 8.5 and healthcare access at 8.1, its fiscal attractiveness remains notably limited. The municipality offers moderate strengths in nature access (7.6) and education (6.6), yet these amenities come at a higher tax cost. Air quality (6.2) and sunlight (6.3) are adequate but unexceptional. Ostermundigen's profile fits retirees prioritizing health services and environmental tranquility over cost savings, rather than those seeking tax optimization.

Neighboring communes of Ostermundigen

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 19 %20–64 years 60 %65 and over 21 %
Density
2,982 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
+15.1 %
Vacant housing
1.6 %
New dwellings
5.8 per 1,000 inhab.
Social assistance
7.1 %
Tertiary employment
72.1 %

Land use

Built-up area 42.4 %Agricultural land 32 %Forest 25.5 %

Source: FSO — Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Bern (BE)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
46.9596, 7.4933
BFS Number
363
Last updated
29 June 2026

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