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Quality of life in Illnau-Effretikon (Zurich): scores, review and neighborhoods

6.9/ 10
Top 10% in SwitzerlandExcellent
Population
16,135
Commune type
Town

Living in Illnau-Effretikon, a commune of 16135 inhabitants in Canton Zurich. With an overall score of 6.9/10, this commune is attractive for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Education & Culture (9.5/10) and Nightlife & Dining (9.2/10). Its score is in line with the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
8.2
Air Quality
5.3
Public Transport
5.4
Education & Culture
9.5
Nightlife & Dining
9.2
Nature & Green Spaces
6.9
Healthcare
8.8
Taxation
5.4
Annual Sunshine
3.5
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

Young Professional
ExcellentTop 5% in Switzerland
mediantop
Family
ExcellentTop 10% in Switzerland
mediantop
Retirement
Very goodTop 25% in Switzerland
mediantop
Nature
Fair
mediantop

For families looking to settle in Switzerland, Illnau-Effretikon achieves a compatibility score of 7/10. Key strengths for this profile include Education & Culture and Noise. The Nature profile (6.4/10) would find better alternatives in neighboring communes.

Strengths: Illnau-Effretikon excels in Education & Culture (9.5/10, excellent access to schools, libraries, and cultural venues), Nightlife & Dining (9.2/10, a rich selection of restaurants, bars, and entertainment), Healthcare (8.8/10, excellent access to doctors, clinics, and hospitals).

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Annual Sunshine (3.5/10).

Transaction prices in Illnau-Effretikon

Rolling median of sales from 2021 to 2025

Detached house

1’310’000 CHF

middle half of sales: 1’096’250 – 1’577’500 · 138 sales

Owner-occupied flat

1’000’000 CHF

middle half of sales: 750’000 – 1’240’000 · 345 sales

Source: property transfer statistics, Canton of Zurich (land registries and notaries). Actual sale prices, not an estimate.

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Key Infrastructure

Education & Culture

Stadtbibliothek EffretikonLibrary
Bibliothek IllnauLibrary
Gemeinde- und Schulbibliothek KyburgLibrary
Stadttheater BisikonCinema / Theatre
Primarschule HagenSchool
Elektro-Bildungs-ZentrumSchool
Tagesschule KyburgSchool
Oberes Schulhaus OttikonSchool

Public Transport

IllnauTrain Station
EffretikonTrain Station
Ottikon bei KemptthalBus Stop
BillikonBus Stop
Illnau GemeindehausBus Stop
Illnau KircheBus Stop
OberkempttalBus Stop
SteinacherBus Stop

Healthcare Facilities

OPtimumDoctor
Praxis am GrendelbachDoctor
Arztpraxis Illnau-EffretikonDoctor
BenuDoctor
Zahnarztpraxis PhilippDoctor
Praxis Dr. med. Markus MüllerDoctor
TCM Praxis – Medicare ZentrumDoctor
Dr. med Almut ReddingDoctor

Guides to read for this area

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

By lifestyle profile

Family
Where to Live in Winterthur as a Family
Young Professional
Where to Live in Winterthur as a Young Professional
Retirement
Where to Live in Winterthur in Retirement
Nature
Where to Live in Winterthur Close to Nature
Explore the map for more details →

Considering buying property in Illnau-Effretikon 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 Illnau-Effretikon

What's it like to live in Illnau-Effretikon? Resident impressions and quality of life
Living in Illnau-Effretikon means trading sunshine for quiet and strong public services. Sunshine is the weakest dimension at 3.5, and air quality sits at 5.3, so grey skies are common. By contrast, noise levels are low at 8.2, and education scores 9.5, giving families excellent schooling. Transport reaches 5.4 and fiscal pressure also 5.4, so commuting and taxes are middling rather than ideal. Meanwhile, restaurants score 9.2 and healthcare 8.8, covering daily needs well. Nature sits at 6.9, with nearby Lindau, Weisslingen, and Volketswil offering additional green space. Overall, the commune suits families and retirees seeking calm, well-served living more than sun-seeking nature lovers.
How sunny and clean is the air in Illnau-Effretikon?
Illnau-Effretikon stands out for its quiet environment and strong public amenities rather than its sunshine. Sunshine is the weakest dimension here, scoring just 3.5, while air quality is moderate at 5.3. Meanwhile, noise levels are notably low at 8.2, and transport sits at 5.4. By contrast, education reaches 9.5 and dining 9.2, with healthcare at 8.8 and nature at 6.9. Notably, fiscal attractiveness is 5.4, matching transport. Neighboring communes Lindau, Weisslingen, and Volketswil share the region's generally calm character. Overall, the limited sunshine and middling air quality mean nature lovers seeking bright, crisp conditions may find it less ideal, though families benefit from the exceptional education and healthcare offerings.
How well-connected is Illnau-Effretikon? Transport, schools, dining
Illnau-Effretikon stands out for its strong education and dining offerings relative to its size. Its weakest dimension is sunshine, at just 3.5, which may weigh on those craving bright winters. By contrast, education scores an excellent 9.5, reflecting a well-regarded local schooling landscape. Fiscal pressure is moderate at 5.4, and transport connectivity sits at a similar 5.4, adequate but not outstanding. Notably, dining reaches 9.2, giving residents varied options close to home. Air quality registers 5.3, while noise sits at a comfortable 8.2. Nature access scores 6.9, and healthcare is solid at 8.8. Neighboring communes include Lindau, Weisslingen, and Volketswil, all within the Winterthur agglomeration. Overall, this profile suits families prioritizing education and everyday amenities over maximum mobility or sunshine.
What are the neighboring communes of Illnau-Effretikon and how big is it?
Illnau-Effretikon is a mid-sized Zurich commune of 16,135 residents in the Winterthur agglomeration, bordered by Lindau, Weisslingen, and Volketswil. Its weakest dimension is sunshine, at just 3.5, while air quality sits at 5.3 and both transport and taxation reach 5.4. Meanwhile, nature scores 6.9, offering moderate green space. Noise is comparatively low at 8.2, and healthcare is strong at 8.8. Notably, education (9.5) and dining (9.2) are the standout strengths. By contrast, the limited sunshine and average transport may deter some buyers. Overall, the profile fits families seeking excellent schools and quiet surroundings, though nature lovers may find the setting only moderately appealing.
Is Illnau-Effretikon a tax-friendly municipality?
Illnau-Effretikon stands out for its strong public services rather than for low taxation. Its fiscal attractiveness score is only 5.4, and sunshine is similarly limited at 3.5, so cost-conscious households should not expect relief here. Meanwhile, education reaches 9.5 and dining 9.2, both exceptional. Air quality sits at a moderate 5.3, while transport matches the fiscal score at 5.4. By contrast, healthcare is strong at 8.8, and noise levels are remarkably low at 8.2. Nature access scores 6.9, with neighbors Lindau, Weisslingen and Volketswil nearby. Notably, the tax burden is average for the canton rather than advantageous. This profile fits families prioritizing schools and quiet surroundings over tax savings.

Neighboring communes of Illnau-Effretikon

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 20 %20–64 years 60.7 %65 and over 19.3 %
Density
527 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
+8.2 %
Vacant housing
0.8 %
New dwellings
2.3 per 1,000 inhab.
Social assistance
3.7 %
Tertiary employment
71.4 %

Land use

Built-up area 14.9 %Agricultural land 47 %Forest 36.7 %

Source: FSO, Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Zurich (ZH)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
47.4288, 8.7210
BFS Number
296
Last updated
7 October 2026

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

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