In Switzerland, which regions have experienced the greatest increase in property prices, accounting for 80%?
Property Prices Skyrocketing Across Switzerland in 2025
By 2025, all property types will witness a significant spike in costs, predicts a new study by Wüest Partner real estate consultants.
For single-family homes, the average price jump is anticipated to be a staggering 3.8% more than in 2024. This dramatic increase means that homebuyers will be paying over 40% more for houses compared to a decade ago.
Apartment prices have followed a similar trajectory, climbing up by 3.6%, which is a substantial increase compared to the 2.9% annual rise in 2015. Today, flat buyers face a 33% higher cost compared to 10 years ago.
While these are the national averages, certain cantons are experiencing a much steeper rise in property prices.
Which Cantons Have Witnessed the Highest Property Price Increases?
The largest increase in house prices over the past decade has been recorded in central Swiss cantons such as Uri (up by 80%) and Nidwalden (77%). For apartments, the canton of Zug has seen the most substantial price surge, with prices having grown by 70%, closely followed by Zurich, where prices increased by 50%.
Interestingly, Ticino, often considered Switzerland's least expensive region, ranks among the least expensive cantons for property buyers in 2025, with property prices having risen by 'only' 15% for single-family homes and 5% for apartments. Geneva may come as a surprise, as the cost of properties there is usually among the highest in the country; however, prices have grown by less than in most cantons, with an increase of 25% and 18% respectively for single-family homes and apartments. Valais is next on the list, with a 35% jump for single-family homes and 25% increase for apartments.
What About the Cantons with the Lowest Price Increases?
The regions where property prices have risen the least include:
- Ticino: Despite being Switzerland's least expensive region, property prices have still risen by 15% and 5% for single-family homes and apartments, respectively.
- Geneva: With a price increase of 25% for single-family homes and 18% for apartments, Geneva ranks as one of the least expensive regions compared to other cantons.
- Valais: Property prices have grown by 35% for single-family homes and 25% for apartments.
Notably, even these 'low' increases are significant when considering that salary levels in Ticino and Valais are lower than in Geneva, Zurich, or Basel.
Why is There Such a Price Disparity Among Cantons?
According to the Wüest Partner study, two key factors play a significant role in determining property prices. The first factor is job availability - areas with more employment opportunities tend to have higher real estate prices. Secondly, supply and demand play a major role, with high demand and low supply leading to correspondingly high property prices.
These trends can also be observed in the rental market, with housing shortages driving up both property prices and rents.
Additional Insights
Interestingly, according to recent data, some cantons have seen price declines or even a sharp drop in property prices:
- Ticino: Recorded a decline, with apartment prices down by 2.1% and house prices down by 1.9% in the first quarter of 2025[4].
- Jura and Graubünden: Both experienced price drops due to weak demand and structural challenges[4].
- Basel: Parts of Basel also saw price declines for similar reasons[4].
- French-speaking Switzerland and the Lake Geneva region: These areas saw slight decreases in house prices over a 12-month period, with house prices falling by 0.1% and 0.8%, respectively[1].
Additionally, asking rents have fallen in a couple of cantons, including Graubünden and the combined Appenzell cantons, indicating a similar trend in the rental market[5].
- The canton of Zurich, known for its thriving finance and real-estate markets, has witness a 50% increase in apartment prices over the past decade.
- Predictions for property prices in Zurich suggest a continued upward trend, with averages estimated to increase further by the year 2025.
- Given the surge in property costs, investing in real-estate in Zurich in 2025 is expected to come at a higher total cost compared to other cantons in Switzerland.
- While Zurich stands out as a high-cost canton, evaluating overall finance and investment strategies in real-estate should consider the national and cantonal trends and their corresponding costs, thereby enabling potential investors to make informed decisions.
