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

7.0/ 10
Top 3% in SwitzerlandExceptional
Population
33,592
Commune type
City

Living in Uster, a commune of 33592 inhabitants in Canton Zurich — with an overall score of 7/10, this commune is attractive for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Healthcare (9.5/10) and Education & Culture (8.8/10). Its score is above the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
7.2
Air Quality
5.4
Public Transport
7.9
Education & Culture
8.8
Nightlife & Dining
7.0
Nature & Green Spaces
8.2
Healthcare
9.5
Taxation
5.4
Annual Sunshine
4.0
Cantonal average

Recommended Profiles

Young Professional
ExceptionalTop 3% in Switzerland
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Family
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Retirement
ExcellentTop 10% in Switzerland
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Nature
Fair
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For families looking to settle in Switzerland, Uster achieves a compatibility score of 7.3/10. Key strengths for this profile include Education & Culture and Noise. The Nature profile (6.7/10) would find better alternatives in neighboring communes.

Strengths: Uster excels in Healthcare (9.5/10) — excellent access to doctors, clinics, and hospitals, Education & Culture (8.8/10) — excellent access to schools, libraries, and cultural venues, Nature & Green Spaces (8.2/10) — a green environment with many accessible green spaces.

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Annual Sunshine (4/10).

Uster neighbourhoods

VivaMap goes well below commune level: in Uster, scores are available per neighbourhood (H3 hexagons of ~0.1 km²) and even per rooftop. Within-commune contrasts are often as sharp as the differences between neighbouring communes.

Explore Uster neighbourhoods →

Transaction prices in Uster

Rolling median of sales from 2021 to 2025

Detached house

1’633’750 CHF

middle half of sales: 1’309’652 – 1’950’000 · 228 sales

Owner-occupied flat

1’151’000 CHF

middle half of sales: 890’000 – 1’430’000 · 525 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

Eisenbahn-Sammlung UsterMuseum
Alte BrauereiMuseum
FotomuseumMuseum
Bechtler StiftungMuseum
SwissJazzOramaLibrary
Stadt- und RegionalbibilothekLibrary
Stadtarchiv & Kläui BibliothekLibrary
Bibliothek NänikonLibrary

Public Transport

UsterTrain Station
Nänikon-GreifenseeTrain Station
Uster SpitalBus Stop
Uster BahnhofBus Stop
ReithalleBus Stop
OberlandstrasseBus Stop
WagerenBus Stop
ZentralstrasseBus Stop

Healthcare Facilities

Spital UsterHospital
Psychiatriezentrum Uster AlterstagesklinikClinic
Dropa BrunnenDoctor
Nieren- und DialysezentrumDoctor
Radiologisches UltraschallinstitutDoctor
Dr med Salomé CourvoisierDoctor
Dr med Stefan Freidel Facharzt für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie FMHDoctor
Praxisgemeinschaft Alfare Debrunner Seebach Praxis für Lunge Herz Magen und DarmDoctor

Guides to read for this area

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

Considering buying property in Uster 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 Uster

What's it like to live in Uster? Resident impressions and quality of life
Uster is a Zurich agglomeration commune where natural surroundings and healthcare quality define the living experience. Environmental quality scores reveal some trade-offs: sunshine exposure ranks lower at 4.0, and dining options are limited at 3.3. However, nature and health services both score strongly at 8.2, reflecting abundant green space and robust medical infrastructure. Transport connectivity rates well at 6.9, while air quality and noise levels are acceptable at 6.5 and 7.2 respectively. Education and fiscal conditions present middle-range scores. It is worth noting that Uster sits among neighbors Seegräben, Mönchaltorf, and Greifensee in a region balancing suburban accessibility with environmental character. Explore the detailed scores on the map to discover which dimensions matter most for your priorities.
How sunny and clean is the air in Uster?
Uster's environmental profile reveals a stark contrast between its strongest and weakest dimensions. Sunshine is notably limited, with an ensoleillement score of just 4.0—among the lowest factors shaping daily life here. Air quality tells a different story: the air scores 6.5, indicating reasonably clean conditions typical of the greater Zurich agglomeration. Worth flagging, the commune's noise levels are solid at 7.2, suggesting a relatively peaceful setting despite its suburban location between neighbors Seegräben, Mönchaltorf, and Greifensee. Those considering the area should weigh the limited sunny days against good air quality. Explore the detailed environmental metrics on the map to see how these factors compare across nearby communes.
How well-connected is Uster? Transport, schools, dining
Uster's connectivity reveals an uneven profile. Educational provision lags noticeably, scoring 5.4, while dining options are particularly limited at 3.3. Transport infrastructure, however, performs more competitively at 6.9, reflecting its position within the Zurich agglomeration and proximity to neighbors including Seegräben, Mönchaltorf, and Greifensee. This transport advantage facilitates regional access despite local service gaps. Worth flagging: residents may rely on broader metropolitan amenities rather than commune-level offerings. Explore the detailed scores on the map to assess which dimensions matter most for your needs.
What are the neighboring communes of Uster and how big is it?
Uster is a substantial commune in the Zurich agglomeration with a population of 33,592 residents. Its three neighboring communes are Seegräben, Mönchaltorf, and Greifensee. As a mid-sized population center, Uster scores notably weak in dining amenities, with a restaurant score of 3.3. It is worth noting that the commune excels in health services and nature access, both scoring 8.2, alongside strong noise management at 7.2. Explore the detailed profiles of Uster and its neighbors on the map to understand how local conditions compare across the region.
Is Uster a tax-friendly municipality?
Uster's fiscal profile is moderate rather than tax-friendly, with a score of 5.4. While this places it near the middle range, it is worth noting that taxation here does not emerge as a distinguishing strength compared to other dimensions. The commune excels instead in nature and health infrastructure, both scoring 8.2, alongside solid noise management at 7.2. Those seeking a tax advantage may want to compare Uster with neighboring municipalities like Seegräben, Mönchaltorf, and Greifensee, which may offer different fiscal conditions. Explore the detailed scoring breakdown on the map to see how Uster's taxation aligns with your priorities.

Neighboring communes of Uster

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 20.4 %20–64 years 62 %65 and over 17.7 %
Density
1,229 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
+8.5 %
Vacant housing
2.2 %
New dwellings
6.1 per 1,000 inhab.
Social assistance
1.8 %
Tertiary employment
77.8 %

Land use

Built-up area 28.8 %Agricultural land 40.9 %Forest 26.6 %

Source: FSO — Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Zurich (ZH)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
47.3516, 8.7280
BFS Number
198
Last updated
29 June 2026

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