Quality of life in Gersau (Schwyz): scores, review and neighborhoods

6.6/ 10
Top 25% in SwitzerlandVery good
Population
2,215
Commune type
Village

Living in Gersau, a commune of 2215 inhabitants in Canton Schwyz. With an overall score of 6.6/10, this commune is attractive for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Noise (9.5/10) and Nature & Green Spaces (9.3/10). Its score is in line with the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
9.5
Air Quality
3.8
Public Transport
3.3
Education & Culture
7.2
Nightlife & Dining
9.0
Nature & Green Spaces
9.3
Healthcare
7.0
Taxation
7.6
Annual Sunshine
2.9
Cantonal average

These scores summarise the living environment where residents actually live, not across the whole municipal territory. The map, by contrast, colours the territory: a highly rated commune can still show large, often uninhabited areas with weaker values.

Recommended Profiles

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

For families looking to settle in Switzerland, Gersau achieves a compatibility score of 6.7/10. Key strengths for this profile include Education & Culture and Noise. The Young Professional profile comes last of the four, yet still reaches 6.4/10, in the top 25% of Switzerland.

Strengths: Gersau excels in Noise (9.5/10, a quiet environment, ideal for rest and focus), Nature & Green Spaces (9.3/10, a green environment with many accessible green spaces), Nightlife & Dining (9/10, a rich selection of restaurants, bars, and entertainment).

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Annual Sunshine (2.9/10), Public Transport (3.3/10, limited public transport connections), Air Quality (3.8/10, degraded air quality from traffic emissions).

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Key Infrastructure

Education & Culture

Hof GersauMuseum
Historisches Museum der altfreyen Republik GersauMuseum
SeebühneCinema / Theatre
Bezirksschule GersauSchool

Public Transport

OberriedBus Stop
FelseneggBus Stop
StockliBus Stop
WehriBus Stop
RotacherBus Stop
RosenbrückeBus Stop
Gersau SchiffstationBus Stop
GibelBus Stop

Healthcare Facilities

Praxis am SeeDoctor
Zahnzentrum GersauDoctor
Dr. Dietmar Wahl MedicineDoctor

Guides to read for this area

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

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

Frequently asked questions about Gersau

What's it like to live in Gersau? Resident impressions and quality of life
Living in Gersau means accepting a trade-off: transport sits at just 3.3, and sunshine is even lower at 2.9, so car dependence and grey days are real. Nonetheless, air quality scores 3.8, a modest figure that reflects the lake basin's limits. Health coverage reaches 7.0, and education follows at 7.2, both serviceable without being exceptional. Fiscal pressure eases at 7.6, while restaurants at 9.0 and nature at 9.3 show where the commune genuinely delivers. Quiet is the headline: noise sits at 9.5, among the strongest values here. Neighbours Vitznau, Lauerz and Emmetten share the same lakeside and mountain character. This profile suits nature lovers and retirees seeking calm, though commuters should weigh the weak transport links carefully.
How sunny and clean is the air in Gersau?
Gersau's sunshine score of 2.9 is its weakest dimension, so days here are notably less bright than the Swiss average. Air quality, however, scores a strong 3.8, reflecting very low pollution levels. Transport is another weak point at 3.3, yet healthcare reaches 7.0 and education 7.2. Fiscal pressure is moderate at 7.6, while restaurants score 9.0 and nature 9.3. Noise is the standout at 9.5, meaning the commune stays remarkably quiet. Neighbors Vitznau, Lauerz and Emmetten sit nearby, though the setting remains distinctly lakeside and green. Overall, the profile suits nature lovers and retirees who value calm, clean air and quiet over abundant sunshine or frequent transit connections.
How well-connected is Gersau? Transport, schools, dining
Gersau's transport score of 3.3 is its weakest dimension, so connections beyond the commune are limited. Yet dining scores a strong 9, giving residents solid local options. Education sits at 7.2, a moderate strength for families. However, healthcare reaches 7, and fiscal pressure is comparatively light at 7.6. Sunshine is scarce at 2.9, while noise stays low at 9.5. Air quality is modest at 3.8, though nature scores 9.3, reflecting the lakeside setting near Vitznau, Lauerz and Emmetten. Nonetheless, the overall profile leans quiet and scenic rather than highly connected. This commune best suits nature lovers and retirees who value calm and landscape over frequent transit links.
What are the neighboring communes of Gersau and how big is it?
With a noise score of 9.5, Gersau is remarkably quiet, yet its sunshine score of 2.9 is among the lowest recorded. The commune borders Vitznau, Lauerz, and Emmetten, and it counts roughly 2,215 residents within the canton of Schwyz, part of the Zurich agglomeration. Transport connectivity is weak at 3.3, and air quality sits at 3.8, so car-free living is not straightforward. However, education reaches 7.2 and healthcare 7, while fiscal attractiveness is 7.6. Restaurants score 9 and nature 9.3, reflecting a strong lakeside setting. This profile suits nature lovers and retirees seeking calm over convenience.
Is Gersau a tax-friendly municipality?
Gersau's most striking score is its sunshine, just 2.9, among the lowest values in this profile. On the positive side, taxation sits at a solid 7.6, indicating a relatively favourable fiscal position for residents. However, transport access is weak at 3.3, which may offset some of that tax advantage for daily commuters. Air quality, at 3.8, is similarly modest, yet noise levels are excellent at 9.5, suggesting a quiet setting. Nature scores 9.3 and restaurants 9.0, both strong. Education reaches 7.2, while healthcare comes in at 7.0. Overall, the tax score of 7.6 is genuinely competitive, though not exceptional. This commune best suits nature lovers and retirees who prioritise calm and scenery over connectivity and sunshine.

Neighboring communes of Gersau

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 15.6 %20–64 years 61.6 %65 and over 22.9 %
Density
162 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
+11.1 %
Vacant housing
1.2 %
New dwellings
7.0 per 1,000 inhab.
Social assistance
1.2 %
Tertiary employment
68.5 %

Land use

Built-up area 6.6 %Agricultural land 39.7 %Forest 51.7 %

Source: FSO, Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Schwyz (SZ)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
47.0014, 8.5213
BFS Number
1311
Last updated
7 October 2026

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