Quality of life in Renens (VD) (Vaud) — scores, review and neighborhoods

7.1/ 10
Top 3% in Switzerland#3 in the cantonExceptional
Population
17,898
Commune type
Town

Living in Renens (VD), a commune of 17898 inhabitants in Canton Vaud — with an overall score of 7.1/10, this commune is attractive for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Education & Culture (10/10) and Nightlife & Dining (10/10). Its score is above the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
7.8
Air Quality
5.2
Public Transport
7.9
Education & Culture
10.0
Nightlife & Dining
10.0
Nature & Green Spaces
4.2
Healthcare
10.0
Taxation
1.6
Annual Sunshine
7.2
Cantonal average

Renens (VD)'s national strengths

Per our methodology ↗

Recommended Profiles

Young Professional
ExceptionalTop 1% in Switzerland
mediantop
Family
ExcellentTop 5% in Switzerland
mediantop
Retirement
Very goodTop 25% in Switzerland
mediantop
Nature
Average
mediantop

For families looking to settle in Switzerland, Renens (VD) achieves a compatibility score of 7.1/10. Key strengths for this profile include Education & Culture and Noise. The Nature profile (6.2/10) would find better alternatives in neighboring communes.

Strengths: Renens (VD) excels in Education & Culture (10/10) — excellent access to schools, libraries, and cultural venues, Nightlife & Dining (10/10) — a rich selection of restaurants, bars, and entertainment, Healthcare (10/10) — excellent access to doctors, clinics, and hospitals.

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Taxation (1.6/10) — a higher tax burden than average, Nature & Green Spaces (4.2/10) — a more urbanized setting with fewer green spaces.

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Key Infrastructure

Education & Culture

ECALUniversity
42 LausanneUniversity
Haute école fédérale en formation professionnelleUniversity
Bibliothèque cantonale et universitaire de Lausanne, Site RenensLibrary
Bibliothèque du LémanLibrary
Bibliothèque interculturelle "Globlivres"Library
Salle de spectaclesCinema / Theatre
Théâtre Kléber-MéleauCinema / Theatre

Public Transport

RenensTrain Station
Renens-GareTrain Station
Sous l'ÉgliseBus Stop
Hôtel-de-Ville/ECALBus Stop
Croisée/TilleulsBus Stop
BorjodBus Stop
FollieuBus Stop
Bourg-DessusBus Stop

Healthcare Facilities

EMS Château des NovallesHospital
PROFAMedical Centre
Centre médical Gare de RenensMedical Centre
Permedico SADoctor
Sun StoreDoctor
Pharmacie Rose RougeDoctor
PharmaSiloDoctor
Cabinet Dentaire de RenensDoctor

Guides to read for this area

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

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

Frequently asked questions about Renens (VD)

What's it like to live in Renens (VD)? Resident impressions and quality of life
Renens distinguishes itself as a transport-connected suburban hub within the Lausanne agglomeration, though it presents a mixed quality-of-life profile. The commune's weakest dimension is nature access, scoring 4.2, alongside limited air quality at 5.6. Its clear strengths are healthcare (9) and education (8.4), reflecting robust public services. Transport connectivity scores 6.8, supporting commuter convenience, while dining options remain moderately developed at 6.9. Worth flagging: fiscal conditions are notably challenging at 1.6, suggesting higher tax burdens. The commune's main tradeoff is between service quality and environmental constraints—strong institutional infrastructure offset by reduced green space and air conditions relative to rural neighbors like Prilly and Chavannes-près-Renens.
How sunny and clean is the air in Renens (VD)?
Renens stands out as a notably fiscal challenger within the Lausanne agglomeration, with a tax burden score of just 1.6. On environmental measures, the commune shows mixed performance: air quality scores a modest 5.6, while sunshine reaches a respectable 7.2, indicating reasonable daylight hours. Nature access, however, lags considerably at 4.2. It is worth noting that education and healthcare excel here, scoring 8.4 and 9 respectively, reflecting strong institutional support. The core tradeoff appears straightforward: Renens offers solid institutional services and fiscal advantages but demands acceptance of modest air quality and limited natural surroundings. Proximity to Prilly, Chavannes-près-Renens, and Jouxtens-Mézery offers varied neighborhood options.
How well-connected is Renens (VD)? Transport, schools, dining
Renens stands out as a commune where education substantially outperforms other connectivity metrics. The education score of 8.4 reflects strong institutional infrastructure, while transport reaches 6.8, positioning the commune as reasonably accessible within the Lausanne agglomeration. Dining options score 6.9, offering moderate variety for residents. It is worth noting that nature access lags considerably at 4.2, reflecting the commune's suburban character. The main tradeoff here is between robust educational facilities and transport links on one hand, versus limited green space and recreational amenities on the other—a pattern typical of transit-oriented communes serving larger urban centers.
What are the neighboring communes of Renens (VD) and how big is it?
Renens is a mid-sized commune in the Lausanne agglomeration with 17,898 inhabitants. Its three neighboring communes are Prilly, Chavannes-près-Renens, and Jouxtens-Mézery. As a larger settlement within an urban area, Renens scores strongest in education and health services, with 8.4 and 9.0 respectively. However, nature access remains constrained at 4.2, reflecting its urban character. It is worth noting that fiscal conditions score particularly low at 1.6, presenting a notable tradeoff between the commune's strong public services and its tax burden on residents.
Is Renens (VD) a tax-friendly municipality?
Renens is decidedly not a tax-friendly municipality. With a fiscal score of 1.6, it ranks among the least favorable tax environments in the region. This sharp weakness contrasts sharply with the commune's strongest dimensions: healthcare, which scores 9, and education at 8.4. Worth flagging, Renens sits within the Lausanne agglomeration alongside neighbors Prilly, Chavannes-près-Renens, and Jouxtens-Mézery, where tax burdens often reflect broader cantonal policy. The trade-off here is clear: residents accept higher taxation in exchange for exceptional public services and institutional infrastructure, a pattern typical of larger agglomeration communes prioritizing social spending over fiscal competitiveness.

Neighboring communes of Renens (VD)

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 21.3 %20–64 years 64.2 %65 and over 14.5 %
Density
7,080 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
+6.5 %
Vacant housing
0.5 %
New dwellings
13.9 per 1,000 inhab.
Social assistance
6.6 %
Tertiary employment
82.9 %

Land use

Built-up area 94.2 %Agricultural land 3.4 %Forest 2.4 %

Source: FSO — Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Vaud (VD)
Language region
French-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
46.5361, 6.5901
BFS Number
5591
Last updated
29 June 2026

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