Quality of life in Merishausen (Schaffhausen) — scores, review and neighborhoods

5.0/ 10
Average
Population
772
Commune type
Hamlet

Living in Merishausen, a commune of 772 inhabitants in Canton Schaffhausen — with an overall score of 5/10, this commune is average for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Nature & Green Spaces (9.8/10) and Noise (9.5/10). Its score is below the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
9.5
Air Quality
6.5
Public Transport
1.1
Education & Culture
2.1
Nightlife & Dining
3.5
Nature & Green Spaces
9.8
Healthcare
6.1
Taxation
4.9
Annual Sunshine
1.9
Cantonal average

Merishausen's national strengths

Per our methodology

Recommended Profiles

Nature
Fair
mediantop
Young Professional
Fair
mediantop
Retirement
Fair
mediantop
Family
Average
mediantop

For nature lovers looking to settle in Switzerland, Merishausen achieves a compatibility score of 6.6/10. Key strengths for this profile include Nature & Green Spaces and Noise. The Young Professional profile (4.2/10) would find better alternatives in neighboring communes.

Strengths: Merishausen excels in Nature & Green Spaces (9.8/10) — a green environment with many accessible green spaces, Noise (9.5/10) — a quiet environment, ideal for rest and focus, Air Quality (6.5/10) — clean air with low pollutant concentrations.

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Public Transport (1.1/10) — limited public transport connections, Annual Sunshine (1.9/10), Education & Culture (2.1/10) — limited educational and cultural infrastructure.

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Key Infrastructure

Public Transport

EichwisBus Stop
Merishausen GemeindehausBus Stop
Im KerrBus Stop

Guides to read for this area

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

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

Frequently asked questions about Merishausen

What's it like to live in Merishausen? Resident impressions and quality of life
Merishausen is a small rural commune defined by exceptional natural surroundings and air quality, though limited urban conveniences. With a nature score of 9.8 and air quality at 7.8, the commune offers pristine countryside living. Worth flagging: transport connectivity is minimal at 0.6, and dining options are scarce at 1.4, reflecting its size and isolation from the Schaffhausen agglomeration. Education facilities also score low at 1.1. Healthcare provision is moderate at 5.8. The tradeoff is clear—residents gain proximity to unspoiled nature and clean air but sacrifice convenient access to services, dining, and public transportation typical of larger settlements.
How sunny and clean is the air in Merishausen?
Merishausen stands out for exceptional environmental quality, particularly in noise and nature preservation. The air quality scores a respectable 7.8, reflecting relatively clean conditions in this rural setting. However, sunshine is notably limited, with an ensoleillement score of only 1.9—among the weakest dimensions here. It is worth noting that this small commune of 772 inhabitants prioritizes tranquility over brightness; the noise level reaches 9.5 and nature scores an exceptional 9.8. The tradeoff is clear: Merishausen offers superior environmental purity and quiet, but those seeking abundant sunlight should look elsewhere in the Schaffhausen region.
How well-connected is Merishausen? Transport, schools, dining
Merishausen struggles significantly with connectivity across transport, education, and dining options. Transport accessibility scores just 0.6, while educational facilities and restaurants rate 1.1 and 1.4 respectively—all markedly low. It is worth noting that this rural commune of 772 inhabitants prioritizes natural and acoustic environments instead, with nature scoring 9.8 and noise levels at 9.5. Health services offer moderate support at 5.8. The main tradeoff is clear: Merishausen trades urban convenience and services for exceptional environmental quality and tranquility, making it suited to those seeking countryside living near the Schaffhausen agglomeration rather than daily urban amenities.
What are the neighboring communes of Merishausen and how big is it?
Merishausen is a very small commune of 772 inhabitants in Schaffhausen, bordered by Büttenhardt, Bargen (SH), and Lohn (SH). Its defining strength is environmental quality, with exceptional noise and nature scores of 9.5 and 9.8 respectively, alongside solid air quality at 7.8. It is worth noting that transport connectivity is severely limited at 0.6, reflecting its rural character and distance from major infrastructure. Education and dining options also score below 2, typical constraints of very small communes. The core tradeoff here is clear: Merishausen offers pristine natural surroundings and tranquility but demands acceptance of minimal public services and connectivity.
Is Merishausen a tax-friendly municipality?
Merishausen's fiscal profile is moderate rather than tax-friendly. The commune scores 4.9 on taxation, placing it neither as an advantaged location for tax optimization nor as a high-tax area. It is worth noting that Merishausen's true strength lies elsewhere: the municipality excels dramatically in environmental quality, with nature scoring 9.8 and noise levels at 9.5, reflecting its rural character. Air quality also rates well at 7.8. However, the commune faces significant limitations in transport infrastructure (0.6) and dining options (1.4), typical of its small size of 772 inhabitants. The main tradeoff is clear—Merishausen offers exceptional environmental living conditions and acceptable tax rates, but at the cost of minimal urban amenities and connectivity.

Neighboring communes of Merishausen

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 24.8 %20–64 years 57.2 %65 and over 18 %
Density
49 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
+9.6 %
Vacant housing
1.7 %
New dwellings
10.6 per 1,000 inhab.
Tertiary employment
58.5 %

Land use

Built-up area 3.7 %Agricultural land 29.2 %Forest 66.9 %

Source: FSO — Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Schaffhausen (SH)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
47.7614, 8.6049
BFS Number
2936
Last updated
29 June 2026

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