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Quality of life in Kriens (Lucerne) — scores, review and neighborhoods

6.4/ 10
Top 25% in SwitzerlandVery good
Population
27,673
Commune type
Town

Living in Kriens, a commune of 27673 inhabitants in Canton Lucerne — with an overall score of 6.4/10, this commune is attractive for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Noise (9.3/10) and Nature & Green Spaces (8.8/10). Its score is above the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
9.3
Air Quality
6.0
Public Transport
0.8
Education & Culture
6.8
Nightlife & Dining
7.0
Nature & Green Spaces
8.8
Healthcare
7.7
Taxation
4.3
Annual Sunshine
6.9
Cantonal average

Recommended Profiles

Retirement
ExcellentTop 10% in Switzerland
mediantop
Nature
Very goodTop 25% in Switzerland
mediantop
Family
Very goodTop 25% in Switzerland
mediantop
Young Professional
Very goodTop 25% in Switzerland
mediantop

For nature lovers looking to settle in Switzerland, Kriens achieves a compatibility score of 7.2/10. Key strengths for this profile include Nature & Green Spaces and Noise. The Young Professional profile (5.4/10) would find better alternatives in neighboring communes.

Strengths: Kriens excels in Noise (9.3/10) — a quiet environment, ideal for rest and focus, Nature & Green Spaces (8.8/10) — a green environment with many accessible green spaces, Healthcare (7.7/10) — excellent access to doctors, clinics, and hospitals.

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Public Transport (0.8/10) — limited public transport connections, Taxation (4.3/10) — a higher tax burden than average.

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Key Infrastructure

Education & Culture

Hochschule Luzern – MusikUniversity
Museum im BellparkMuseum
Haus der InstrumenteMuseum
Stadtbibliothek KriensLibrary
Le Théâtre Kriens-LuzernCinema / Theatre
SüdpolCinema / Theatre
Schulhaus Obernau 2School
MeiersmattSchool

Public Transport

Kriens MattenhofTrain Station
Obernau DorfBus Stop
StampfeliBus Stop
HammerschmiedeBus Stop
FeldmühleBus Stop
OberrodelBus Stop
SentiBus Stop
EichenspesBus Stop

Healthcare Facilities

Coop VitalityDoctor
Praxis Dr. med. Markus WüstDoctor
Späni AG ApothekeDoctor
Coop VitalityDoctor
Medbase Apotheke MattenhofDoctor
Praxis Dr. Achermann SimonDoctor
Praxis FeldmühleDoctor
Praxis Dr. TillingerDoctor

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 Lucerne as a Family
Young Professional
Where to Live in Lucerne as a Young Professional
Retirement
Where to Live in Lucerne in Retirement
Nature
Where to Live in Lucerne Close to Nature
Explore the map for more details →

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

Frequently asked questions about Kriens

What's it like to live in Kriens? Resident impressions and quality of life
Living in Kriens offers exceptional proximity to nature and remarkably low noise pollution, making it an attractive residential setting. The commune scores 8.8 for nature access and an impressive 9.3 for noise levels, reflecting its peaceful suburban character within the Lucerne agglomeration. Air quality is solid at 7.2, supporting outdoor activities year-round. However, public transport connectivity is notably underdeveloped at 0.4, creating a significant dependence on private vehicles for commuting to neighboring Luzern, Horw, and Hergiswil. Educational and dining amenities also lag at 3.7 and 3.1 respectively. The tradeoff is clear: Kriens delivers on environmental quality and tranquility but demands mobility solutions for those seeking diverse services and urban conveniences.
How sunny and clean is the air in Kriens?
Kriens offers a notably pleasant environment for those prioritizing air quality and natural surroundings. The commune scores 8.8 for nature and 9.3 for noise levels, reflecting its green character and peaceful setting. Air quality rates at 7.2, providing good conditions for outdoor activities. Sunshine reaches 6.9, offering moderate brightness throughout the year. By contrast, the commune's transport connectivity scores only 0.4, reflecting its suburban position relative to Lucerne. Kriens thus presents a clear tradeoff: excellent natural quietness and greenery come at the cost of limited public transit access, making it suited for those valuing calm surroundings over urban mobility.
How well-connected is Kriens? Transport, schools, dining
Kriens excels in noise and nature protection, with impressive scores of 9.3 for noise control and 8.8 for nature access, making it an appealing residential area within the Lucerne agglomeration. However, connectivity presents a significant challenge. The commune scores only 0.4 for transport accessibility, indicating limited public transit options despite proximity to neighbors Horw, Hergiswil (NW), and Luzern. Educational facilities score modestly at 3.7, while dining options are similarly constrained at 3.1. By contrast, healthcare services are reasonably accessible at 6.7. The tradeoff is clear: Kriens offers environmental quality and tranquility but demands reliance on personal transport and limited local services.
What are the neighboring communes of Kriens and how big is it?
Kriens is a mid-sized commune in the Lucerne agglomeration with a population of 27,673 residents, bordered by Horw, Hergiswil (NW), and Luzern. The commune stands out for its exceptional noise management, scoring 9.3 for sound quality, alongside strong natural surroundings with a 8.8 nature score. By contrast, transport connectivity remains underdeveloped at 0.4, reflecting limited public transit infrastructure relative to the agglomeration's scale. This presents the commune's essential tradeoff: a peaceful, nature-rich residential setting that sacrifices convenient regional mobility for those without personal vehicles.
Is Kriens a tax-friendly municipality?
Kriens is moderately positioned on tax friendliness, with a score of 4.3—neither particularly advantageous nor restrictive compared to Swiss standards. The commune's real strengths lie elsewhere: notably, it excels in noise protection at 9.3 and nature access at 8.8, making it an attractive residential area near Lucerne. Meanwhile, transport connectivity scores only 0.4, reflecting its suburban character despite proximity to neighbors Horw, Hergiswil, and Luzern. For those prioritizing tax savings, Kriens presents a tradeoff: you gain exceptional environmental quality and tranquility but accept moderate fiscal terms and limited public transit options.

Neighboring communes of Kriens

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 18.6 %20–64 years 60.1 %65 and over 21.3 %
Density
1,020 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
+5.8 %
Vacant housing
1.7 %
New dwellings
22.0 per 1,000 inhab.
Social assistance
4 %
Tertiary employment
81.2 %

Land use

Built-up area 20 %Agricultural land 28.4 %Forest 50.5 %

Source: FSO — Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Lucerne (LU)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
47.0170, 8.2605
BFS Number
1059
Last updated
29 June 2026

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

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