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

6.8/ 10
Top 10% in SwitzerlandExcellent
Population
16,074
Commune type
Town

Living in Thalwil, a commune of 16074 inhabitants in Canton Zurich — with an overall score of 6.8/10, this commune is attractive for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Education & Culture (9.9/10) and Healthcare (9.4/10). Its score is above the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
6.8
Air Quality
4.6
Public Transport
6.0
Education & Culture
9.9
Nightlife & Dining
8.8
Nature & Green Spaces
7.0
Healthcare
9.4
Taxation
6.3
Annual Sunshine
2.6
Cantonal average

Thalwil's national strengths

Top 25 · Education & Culture ↗Top 50 · Nightlife & Dining ↗
Per our methodology ↗

Recommended Profiles

Young Professional
ExceptionalTop 3% in Switzerland
mediantop
Family
ExcellentTop 10% in Switzerland
mediantop
Retirement
Very goodTop 25% in Switzerland
mediantop
Nature
Average
mediantop

For families looking to settle in Switzerland, Thalwil achieves a compatibility score of 6.9/10. Key strengths for this profile include Education & Culture and Noise. The Nature profile (6/10) would find better alternatives in neighboring communes.

Strengths: Thalwil excels in Education & Culture (9.9/10) — excellent access to schools, libraries, and cultural venues, Healthcare (9.4/10) — excellent access to doctors, clinics, and hospitals, Nightlife & Dining (8.8/10) — a rich selection of restaurants, bars, and entertainment.

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Annual Sunshine (2.6/10), Air Quality (4.6/10) — degraded air quality from traffic emissions.

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Key Infrastructure

Education & Culture

Ortsmuseum ThalwilMuseum
Gemeindebibliothek RosengartenLibrary
Schulhaus BergSchool
Sekundarschule ThalwilSchool
Schulhaus FeldSchool
SonnenbergSchool
Schulhaus SchwandelSchool
SchwandelSchool

Public Transport

ThalwilTrain Station
EbnetBus Stop
GattikerhöheBus Stop
RudishaldenstrasseBus Stop
MühlebachplatzBus Stop
BöniBus Stop
AegertliBus Stop
ArchstrasseBus Stop

Healthcare Facilities

Seechirurgie ZentrumDoctor
HirsigDoctor
Central Apotheke ThalwilDoctor
Coop VitalityDoctor
NautilusDoctor
Dr. med. K. S. Biechl-LautenbachDoctor
Ortho ThalwilDoctor
Dr. med. Thomas Schwank, Dr. med. Josef KapassakisDoctor

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

Considering buying property in Thalwil 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 Thalwil

What's it like to live in Thalwil? Resident impressions and quality of life
Thalwil, located in the Zurich agglomeration, stands out for its strong healthcare and educational infrastructure. Residents benefit from excellent health services scoring 7.5 and equally strong educational facilities at 7.5, reflecting solid institutional support. Nature access is also commendable at 7.0, offering good outdoor recreation opportunities. Yet the commune faces notable constraints: public transport connectivity scores only 4.5, and sunshine availability is markedly limited at 2.6, which may concern those sensitive to grey winters. Air quality is respectable at 6.1, and noise levels are well-managed at 6.8. With 16,074 residents and proximity to neighbors like Oberrieden, Rüschlikon, and Langnau am Albis, Thalwil suits families and retirees prioritizing healthcare, education, and green spaces, though car dependency remains a consideration.
How sunny and clean is the air in Thalwil?
Thalwil scores notably well for health and education at 7.5, yet sunshine remains a significant limitation with a score of only 2.6, indicating notably limited annual daylight hours. Air quality presents a moderate profile at 6.1, suggesting reasonably clean conditions without exceptional purity. The commune shares its lakeside setting with neighbors Oberrieden, Rüschlikon, and Langnau am Albis, all situated in similar geographical positions within the Zurich agglomeration. While Thalwil excels in healthcare and schooling services, those prioritizing sunnier conditions may find the frequent cloud cover challenging. This profile suits families and retirees valuing strong services over climate brightness.
How well-connected is Thalwil? Transport, schools, dining
Thalwil excels in education and health services, scoring 7.5 in both dimensions, making it particularly attractive for families prioritizing quality institutions. The commune also performs well in nature access with a score of 7, offering strong outdoor recreational opportunities. However, public transport connectivity is notably weaker at 4.5, which may present challenges for commuters relying on regional links. Dining and restaurant options score moderately at 5, suggesting limited gastronomic variety compared to urban centers. Located in the Zurich agglomeration alongside neighbors Oberrieden, Rüschlikon, and Langnau am Albis, Thalwil suits families and nature lovers best, though those dependent on extensive public transport may find better-suited alternatives.
What are the neighboring communes of Thalwil and how big is it?
Thalwil is a Zurich commune of 16,074 residents situated within the Zurich agglomeration. Its neighbors are Oberrieden, Rüschlikon, and Langnau am Albis. The commune excels in health and education services, scoring 7.5 on both dimensions, indicating strong institutional support for residents. Nature access is also noteworthy at 7.0, offering outdoor opportunities. Air quality scores 6.1, which represents a moderate environmental condition. This profile suits families and young professionals seeking good schools and healthcare alongside reasonable green space, though prospective residents should note the lower sunshine exposure typical of the region.
Is Thalwil a tax-friendly municipality?
Thalwil presents moderate tax conditions with a fiscal score of 6.3, placing it in a reasonable middle ground for the Zurich agglomeration. This reflects neither exceptional tax advantages nor significant burdens compared to regional peers. The commune compensates with stronger performance in education and healthcare, both scoring 7.5, alongside a solid nature score of 7. Environmental quality is also noteworthy, with air quality at 6.1 and noise levels at 6.8. However, transport accessibility rates lower at 4.5, yet this is typical for suburban communes. Thalwil suits retirees and families seeking balanced community services and educational facilities, though those prioritizing tax minimization should compare neighboring municipalities like Oberrieden, Rüschlikon, and Langnau am Albis.

Neighboring communes of Thalwil

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 20 %20–64 years 61 %65 and over 19 %
Density
3,298 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
+5.4 %
Vacant housing
0.2 %
New dwellings
2.7 per 1,000 inhab.
Social assistance
2.5 %
Tertiary employment
84.7 %

Land use

Built-up area 60.1 %Agricultural land 15.1 %Forest 22.7 %

Source: FSO — Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Zurich (ZH)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
47.2848, 8.5600
BFS Number
141
Last updated
17 July 2026

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

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