Complete Expat Guide to Winterthur

Switzerland's sixth-largest city, 22 minutes from Zurich by train, with a real cultural life of its own and much lower rents.

Quick facts

  • Population: 116,000
  • Cantons: Zurich
  • Nearest Airport: Zurich Airport (ZUR)
  • Airport Distance: 15 minutes by train
  • Average Rent1 Bedroom: CHF 1,300-1,800/month
  • Average Rent3 Bedroom: CHF 2,400-3,600/month
  • Tax Rate: 22-30% (canton Zurich)
  • Safety Rating: 9.4/10 (Very Safe)
  • Public Transport Rating: 9.2/10 (Excellent)
  • Language Spoken: Swiss German, High German, English
  • Average Salary: CHF 80,000-115,000
  • Unemployment Rate: 2.4%

Complete Expat Guide to Winterthur

Winterthur is often described as Zurich's little sister, which sells it short. It is the sixth-largest Swiss city, has its own museum quarter, one of the country's best photography museums and a lively independent music scene, and rents are meaningfully lower than in Zurich:

  • Zurich commute: 22 minutes to Zurich HB, IC every 15 minutes
  • Culture: Fotomuseum, Kunst Museum, Musikfestwochen every summer
  • Rents 20 to 30 percent below Zurich city
  • Green space: Eschenberg forest and the wine villages of the Weinland at the doorstep

Living & Housing

Popular neighbourhoods for expats are Altstadt (walkable and lively), Neuhegi (new apartment builds around the tech campus) and Wülflingen (family suburbs). Sulzer-Areal is a former industrial quarter being redeveloped with a lot of new-build rental supply.

Getting Around

Winterthur is a rail hub. S12 to Zurich, IR and IC to Zurich HB and onwards to St. Gallen. The Stadtbus network covers the city. Cycling infrastructure is above the national average.