Quality of life in Erlenbach (ZH) (Zurich) — scores, review and neighborhoods

6.7/ 10
Top 10% in SwitzerlandExcellent
Population
4,689
Commune type
Village

Living in Erlenbach (ZH), a commune of 4689 inhabitants in Canton Zurich — with an overall score of 6.7/10, this commune is attractive for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Noise (9/10) and Education & Culture (8.4/10). Its score is in line with the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
9.0
Air Quality
6.3
Public Transport
3.1
Education & Culture
8.4
Nightlife & Dining
7.6
Nature & Green Spaces
7.9
Healthcare
8.3
Taxation
6.4
Annual Sunshine
3.6
Cantonal average

Recommended Profiles

Family
ExcellentTop 10% in Switzerland
mediantop
Young Professional
ExcellentTop 10% in Switzerland
mediantop
Retirement
ExcellentTop 10% in Switzerland
mediantop
Nature
Good
mediantop

For families looking to settle in Switzerland, Erlenbach (ZH) achieves a compatibility score of 7/10. Key strengths for this profile include Education & Culture and Noise. The Young Professional profile (6.2/10) would find better alternatives in neighboring communes.

Strengths: Erlenbach (ZH) excels in Noise (9/10) — a quiet environment, ideal for rest and focus, Education & Culture (8.4/10) — excellent access to schools, libraries, and cultural venues, Healthcare (8.3/10) — excellent access to doctors, clinics, and hospitals.

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Public Transport (3.1/10) — limited public transport connections, Annual Sunshine (3.6/10).

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Key Infrastructure

Education & Culture

Gemeindebibliothek ErlenbachLibrary

Public Transport

WinkelTrain Station
Erlenbach ZHTrain Station
FöhrenstrasseBus Stop
ErlenhöheBus Stop
TrottgatterBus Stop
RebstrasseBus Stop
SandfelsenstrasseBus Stop
Im StreuliBus Stop

Healthcare Facilities

AerzteZentrumErlenbach.chDoctor
Roman SchwizerDoctor
AmavitaDoctor
Augenarztpraxis ErlenbachDoctor

Guides to read for this area

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

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

Frequently asked questions about Erlenbach (ZH)

What's it like to live in Erlenbach (ZH)? Resident impressions and quality of life
Erlenbach stands out as a quiet residential community in the Zurich agglomeration, where tranquility and natural surroundings define daily life. The commune excels in environmental quality, with noise levels scoring 9 and natural spaces at 7.9, making it exceptionally peaceful. Health services also perform strongly at 7. By contrast, public transport connectivity remains limited at 1.9, which may require car dependence for commuting. Educational facilities score 5.8, while dining and entertainment options are modest at 3.3. Located among neighbors including Küsnacht, Herrliberg, and Zumikon, Erlenbach appeals to those prioritizing calm and nature over urban convenience and diverse amenities.
How sunny and clean is the air in Erlenbach (ZH)?
Erlenbach trades strong air quality for notably limited sunshine. Air cleanliness stands out with a score of 6.8, reflecting relatively good environmental conditions in this Zurich lakeside commune. By contrast, sunlight exposure lags considerably, scoring just 3.6—among the weakest dimensions here. This sunshine deficit is typical for communes nestled along the lake's northern shore, where topography and proximity to water reduce direct solar hours. Meanwhile, noise levels are excellent at 9, complementing the clean air to create a pleasant, quiet residential environment. The main tradeoff: residents gain pristine air and tranquility but sacrifice the sunny exposure found in more elevated or southerly locations.
How well-connected is Erlenbach (ZH)? Transport, schools, dining
Erlenbach stands out for its strong natural environment and air quality, with air quality scoring 6.8 and nature access at 7.9. However, the commune faces significant connectivity challenges. Transport infrastructure scores only 1.9, reflecting limited public transit and road accessibility compared to neighboring Küsnacht, Herrliberg, and Zumikon. Educational facilities also lag with a score of 5.8, while dining and restaurant options remain sparse at 3.3. The core tradeoff is clear: Erlenbach offers residents a quiet, nature-rich setting with good air quality, but this rural character comes at the cost of weak transport links and limited urban amenities like schools and dining establishments.
What are the neighboring communes of Erlenbach (ZH) and how big is it?
Erlenbach is a small lakeside commune in Zurich with a population of 4,689 residents. Its neighbors are Küsnacht (ZH), Herrliberg, and Zumikon, all situated along the northeastern shore of Lake Zurich. The commune distinguishes itself through exceptional noise control, scoring 9 for sound environment, and strong natural surroundings with a nature score of 7.9. Education presents a weaker dimension at 5.8. Erlenbach thus offers a quiet, verdant setting for residents, though those prioritizing educational facilities may find limited local options.
Is Erlenbach (ZH) a tax-friendly municipality?
Erlenbach (ZH) presents a moderate tax position within its regional context. The commune scores 6.4 on fiscal favorability, placing it in a middling range rather than as a particularly tax-advantaged destination. While this score reflects reasonable tax conditions, it does not position Erlenbach as notably competitive on taxation alone. The commune's stronger appeal lies elsewhere: air quality and nature access both score above 7, offering environmental advantages that many residents value. By contrast, the fiscal score suggests that those prioritizing tax optimization might find comparable or better conditions in neighboring municipalities like Küsnacht or Zumikon. The tradeoff here is clear—Erlenbach balances moderate taxation with solid environmental quality rather than pursuing aggressive tax incentives.

Neighboring communes of Erlenbach (ZH)

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 21.7 %20–64 years 58.7 %65 and over 19.6 %
Density
1,935 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
+6.4 %
Vacant housing
0.5 %
New dwellings
5.6 per 1,000 inhab.
Social assistance
1.4 %
Tertiary employment
91.6 %

Land use

Built-up area 54.5 %Agricultural land 20.5 %Forest 24.2 %

Source: FSO — Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Zurich (ZH)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
47.3058, 8.6080
BFS Number
151
Last updated
17 July 2026

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