←See on the map

Annual Sunshine in Zurich: best neighborhoods and areas

By VivaMap · find the best place to live in Switzerland, from canton to exact address · Last updated 14 September 2026

Map of Annual Sunshine scores across the Zurich area — top-ranked communes in green, weakest in red, per VivaMap methodology

Annual Sunshine measures global solar energy received at ground level, accounting for terrain and local horizon. Data come from the SFOE solar atlas and the swissALTI3D model. A high score means a sunnier location.

On this criterion, the Zurich area underperforms. The average score of 3.6/10, computed across 138 communes, sits below the national average (4.7/10). Scores span from 0.5/10 to 5.3/10 across the communes analysed.

The standard deviation of 0.7 signals relative homogeneity; results are comparable from one commune to the next.

Top 5 Communes

  1. 1. Neuheim (ZG) 5.3/10
    solid performance, close to the Swiss average
  2. 2. Horgen (ZH) 4.8/10
    solid performance, close to the Swiss average
  3. 3. Merenschwand (AG) 4.6/10
    solid performance, close to the Swiss average
  4. 4. Mühlau (AG) 4.5/10
    solid performance, close to the Swiss average
  5. 5. Obfelden (ZH) 4.4/10
    modest performance, below the national average

Bottom 5 Communes

  1. 1. Oberrieden (ZH) 0.5/10
    very low score, worth considering carefully
  2. 2. Stallikon (ZH) 0.7/10
    very low score, worth considering carefully
  3. 3. Otelfingen (ZH) 0.9/10
    very low score, worth considering carefully
  4. 4. Brütten (ZH) 1.4/10
    very low score, worth considering carefully
  5. 5. Freienstein-Teufen (ZH) 1.5/10
    very low score, worth considering carefully
NeuheimHorgenMerenschwandMühlauObfelden

Geographic Patterns and Contrasts

The spread between the top-ranked commune (5.3/10) and the weakest (0.5/10) reaches 4.8 points. The agglomeration offers contrasting profiles without marked homogeneity.

Top-ranked communes typically benefit from several convergent factors (location, long-standing infrastructure, geographic exposure); the weakest often compound structural disadvantages. The interactive map makes these spatial clusters visible at a glance.

Who Weighs This Criterion Most

Among the four VivaMap profiles, the Retirement profile weights this criterion most heavily (weight 80 out of 100). The other profiles apply the following weights: Nature (weight 70), Family (weight 50), Young Professional (weight 30).

Practically, a high Annual Sunshine score carries significant impact on the ranking for the Retirement profile, whereas it matters less for a profile that de-emphasises this criterion. This explains why the same commune can lead one ranking and fall mid-pack in another.

Comparison Across Swiss Agglomerations

Among the 21 major Swiss agglomerations analysed by VivaMap, Zurich sits in the lower half for Annual Sunshine — rank 12/21 (ahead of 48% of the agglomerations).

Its immediate neighbours in the ranking are Chur (rank 11) and Aarau-Olten (rank 13). This context helps calibrate absolute scores: an agglomeration that looks average in isolation can sit well among its peers, and vice versa.

Key Takeaway

To prioritise Annual Sunshine in the Zurich area, Neuheim (ZG) leads with 5.3/10. Explore the interactive map to compare communes in real time, adjust weights to your profile, and see variation at the neighbourhood scale. See the national Annual Sunshine page for the full ranking and methodology.

Explore on the map →

Related Guides

Where to Live in Zurich as a Family6.6/10Where to Live in Zurich as a Young Professional5.7/10Where to Live in Zurich in Retirement6.4/10Where to Live in Zurich Close to Nature6.5/10Air Quality in Zurich: best neighborhoods and areas5.7/10Noise in Zurich: best neighborhoods and areas7.8/10Education & Culture in Zurich: best neighborhoods and areas7.8/10

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

Terms of useLegal notice