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Quality of Life in Canton Neuchâtel

Population
159,942
Municipalities
24
Largest municipality
Neuchâtel

Canton Neuchâtel includes 24 communes evaluated by VivaMap. With an average score of 5.4/10, it stands out for Noise (9.4/10) and Nature & Green Spaces (9.3/10). The Taxation criterion (0.6/10) is its main area for improvement. Living in Canton Neuchâtel is particularly suited for those seeking a quiet environment, ideal for rest and focus.

Canton Average Scores

Noise
9.4
Air Quality
7.1
Public Transport
1.6
Education & Culture
4.9
Nightlife & Dining
4.1
Nature & Green Spaces
9.3
Healthcare
6.5
Taxation
0.6
Annual Sunshine
4.9
National average

Top Communes

  1. #1Cortaillod6.5
  2. #2La Chaux-de-Fonds6.5
  3. #3Le Locle6.3
  4. #4Neuchâtel6.3
  5. #5Milvignes5.8

Lowest-Ranked Communes

  1. Rochefort4.5
  2. La Brévine4.6
  3. La Chaux-du-Milieu4.9
  4. Cressier (NE)4.9
  5. Lignières4.9

Best Communes by Profile

  • Family: La Chaux-de-Fonds (7/10) — ideal for families thanks to strong Education & Culture scores.
  • Young Professional: Cortaillod (6.1/10) — ideal for young professionals thanks to strong Public Transport scores.
  • Retirement: La Chaux-de-Fonds (6.8/10) — ideal for retirees thanks to strong Nature & Green Spaces scores.
  • Nature: Les Verrières (7.5/10) — ideal for nature lovers thanks to strong Nature & Green Spaces scores.

Key Infrastructure

Education & Culture

Université de NeuchâtelUniversity
HEP-BEJUNEUniversity
Haute Ecole ArcUniversity
Aula des Jeunes RivesUniversity
Musée international de l'horlogerieMuseum
Musée des Beaux-Arts Le LocleMuseum
Musée d'ethnographieMuseum
Muséum d'histoire naturelleMuseum

Public Transport

ChambrelienTrain Station
Champ du MoulinTrain Station
La Chaux-de Fonds EstTrain Station
La Chaux-de-FondsTrain Station
La CibourgTrain Station
Le Crêt-du-LocleTrain Station
Le ChaletTrain Station
Le LocleTrain Station

Healthcare Facilities

Réseau hospitalier neuchâtelois - La Chaux-de-FondsHospital
Hôpital neuchâtelois Le LocleHospital
Hôpital catholique de la ProvidenceHospital
Réseau hospitalier neuchâtelois - PourtalèsHospital
Hôpital neuchâtelois Val-de-RuzHospital
Ancien Hôpital de la BérocheHospital
Hôpital neuchâtelois Val-de-TraversHospital
Centre neuchâtelois de psychiatrie CNPHospital

Frequently Asked Questions

Which commune in Canton Neuchâtel is best for families?
In Canton Neuchâtel, La Chaux-de-Fonds (7/10 on the family profile) leads the ranking. Its strongest scores are in Noise and Nature & Green Spaces — two criteria that the family profile weights heavily.
Where is taxation lowest in Canton Neuchâtel?
Les Verrières offers the lowest tax burden in Canton Neuchâtel (score 5.0/10), computed for a reference household (married couple, 1 child, CHF 125,000 gross, tax year 2025) via the official ESTV calculator.
Which communes in Canton Neuchâtel have the best public transport?
The best-served communes for public transport in Canton Neuchâtel are La Chaux-de-Fonds (6.3/10), Le Locle (5.0/10) and Cortaillod (4.4/10), based on ARE service-quality classes.
Which is the quietest commune in Canton Neuchâtel?
Cortaillod (10.0/10) is the quietest commune in Canton Neuchâtel, per the FOEN SonBase model that aggregates road, rail and air noise.
Does Canton Neuchâtel rank above the Swiss average for quality of life?
With an overall average score of 5.4/10, Canton Neuchâtel sits below the Swiss national average (5.7/10). Its strongest dimension is Noise (9.4/10); its weakest is Taxation (0.6/10).

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

All Communes

CortaillodLa Chaux-de-FondsLe LocleNeuchâtelMilvignesLes PlanchettesVal-de-RuzLes Ponts-de-MartelLa SagneLa Grande BérocheLaténaLe LanderonBoudryLes VerrièresCornauxBrot-PlambozVal-de-TraversLa Côte-aux-FéesLe Cerneux-PéquignotLignièresCressier (NE)La Chaux-du-MilieuLa BrévineRochefort

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 21 %20–64 years 59.9 %65 and over 19.1 %
Density
239 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
+2.7 %
Vacant housing
2.4 %
New dwellings
3.0 per 1,000 inhab.
Social assistance
7.6 %
Tertiary employment
63 %

Land use

Built-up area 19.2 %Agricultural land 39.2 %Forest 40.9 %

Source: FSO — Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Last updated: 17 July 2026

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

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