Quality of life in Kerns (Obwalden) — scores, review and neighborhoods

4.9/ 10
Average
Population
6,004
Commune type
Town

Living in Kerns, a commune of 6004 inhabitants in Canton Obwalden — with an overall score of 4.9/10, this commune is average for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Noise (9.9/10) and Nature & Green Spaces (9.5/10). Its score is in line with the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
9.9
Air Quality
8.7
Public Transport
0.6
Education & Culture
2.0
Nightlife & Dining
2.4
Nature & Green Spaces
9.5
Healthcare
4.9
Taxation
3.5
Annual Sunshine
2.2
Cantonal average

Recommended Profiles

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

For nature lovers looking to settle in Switzerland, Kerns achieves a compatibility score of 6.9/10. Key strengths for this profile include Nature & Green Spaces and Noise. The Young Professional profile (3.9/10) would find better alternatives in neighboring communes.

Strengths: Kerns excels in Noise (9.9/10) — a quiet environment, ideal for rest and focus, Nature & Green Spaces (9.5/10) — a green environment with many accessible green spaces, Air Quality (8.7/10) — clean air with low pollutant concentrations.

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Public Transport (0.6/10) — limited public transport connections, Education & Culture (2/10) — limited educational and cultural infrastructure, Annual Sunshine (2.2/10).

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Key Infrastructure

Education & Culture

Bibliothek KernsLibrary

Public Transport

Gedeckte BrückeBus Stop
Melchtal DorfBus Stop
EistlibachBus Stop
PlätzliBus Stop
TurrenbachBus Stop
SportcampBus Stop
St. Niklausen alte PostBus Stop
StöckalpBus Stop

Healthcare Facilities

Praxis Dr. Büttler MarioDoctor
Praxis Dr. Mende BettinaDoctor
Praxis Dr. Kempf RolfDoctor

Guides to read for this area

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

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

Frequently asked questions about Kerns

What's it like to live in Kerns? Resident impressions and quality of life
Kerns stands out as a nature-focused Alpine community where environmental quality significantly outshines urban conveniences. The commune excels in noise protection at 9.9 and air quality at 9, creating serene living conditions amid the Lucerne agglomeration. However, education and restaurant options score merely 0.9 each, reflecting limited specialized services. Nature access remains exceptional at 9.5, though sunshine hours lag at 2.2 due to mountain terrain. Healthcare services rate at 4.9, providing basic coverage. Public transport connectivity is minimal at 0.3, necessitating personal vehicles. Tax conditions at 3.5 offer moderate relief. This 6,004-person commune borders Sachseln, Wolfenschiessen, and Dallenwil. The lifestyle suits nature lovers and those prioritizing environmental peace over urban amenities, though families seeking robust schools should consider neighboring communities.
How sunny and clean is the air in Kerns?
Kerns benefits from exceptionally clean air with a score of 9, reflecting outstanding environmental quality. However, sunshine exposure lags significantly, scoring only 2.2, limiting days of bright conditions throughout the year. The commune's air quality is bolstered by its proximity to nature and low noise pollution at 9.9, creating a genuinely fresh outdoor environment despite limited sunshine hours. Thus, residents enjoy pristine atmospheric conditions but should expect frequent cloud cover and overcast periods typical of the region. This profile suits nature lovers and those prioritizing air quality, though not those seeking a particularly sunny climate.
How well-connected is Kerns? Transport, schools, dining
Kerns struggles significantly with transport connectivity, scoring just 0.3, making it challenging to reach wider regions by public transit. Educational facilities are equally limited, with a score of 0.9, reflecting sparse school options within the commune. Dining and restaurant availability similarly rate low at 0.9, offering minimal gastronomy options locally. However, Kerns benefits from its proximity to the Lucerne agglomeration, which can supplement these deficiencies through nearby urban centers. The commune's three neighbors—Sachseln, Wolfenschiessen, and Dallenwil—provide additional access points for services and connectivity. Healthcare services show moderate availability at 4.9, thus partially offsetting transport limitations. Kerns suits nature lovers and retirees who prioritize tranquility over urban convenience, rather than young professionals or families requiring robust schools and restaurants.
What are the neighboring communes of Kerns and how big is it?
Kerns is a small commune in Obwalden with a population of 6,004 residents, situated within the Lucerne agglomeration. Its neighbors are Sachseln, Wolfenschiessen, and Dallenwil. The commune excels in environmental quality, with outstanding noise levels at 9.9 and air quality at 9, though it struggles significantly with public transport access, scoring only 0.3. Education and dining options are similarly limited at 0.9 each. However, Kerns compensates with excellent natural surroundings, scoring 9.5 for nature access. Healthcare services are moderately available at 4.9. This profile suits nature lovers and retirees seeking peaceful, clean surroundings over urban convenience.
Is Kerns a tax-friendly municipality?
Kerns presents a mixed fiscal profile for prospective residents. The commune scores 3.5 on tax friendliness, indicating it is not particularly advantageous for those prioritizing lower taxation. This moderate rating suggests tax burdens align closer to regional averages rather than offering significant savings. However, Kerns compensates with exceptional environmental strengths, scoring 9.9 for noise levels and 9.5 for nature access. The commune does struggle with transportation connectivity, scoring just 0.3, which may limit commuting flexibility for working professionals. Education and dining options also score low at 0.9 each. Healthcare services are adequate at 4.9. Located in the Lucerne agglomeration and bordered by Sachseln, Wolfenschiessen, and Dallenwil, Kerns suits nature lovers and retirees seeking tranquility over fiscal incentives, rather than tax-conscious families or young professionals requiring urban amenities.

Neighboring communes of Kerns

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 23 %20–64 years 60.9 %65 and over 16.2 %
Density
68 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
+12.4 %
Vacant housing
0.3 %
New dwellings
7.8 per 1,000 inhab.
Social assistance
0.8 %
Tertiary employment
54.1 %

Land use

Built-up area 3.2 %Agricultural land 45.2 %Forest 29.1 %

Source: FSO — Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Obwalden (OW)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
46.8484, 8.2979
BFS Number
1404
Last updated
29 June 2026

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