Bern
Switzerland's federal city: a UNESCO-listed old town wrapped by the Aare river, with the University of Bern (about 18,000 students) right next to the main station. Bern feels relaxed and compact — you can walk or cycle almost everywhere — but rooms near the university still go fast.
Average monthly rent
CHF 650–1,000/mo for a room in a shared flat
Cost of living
CHF 1,700–2,300/month (rent, food, transport, insurance)
Quick facts
Population
146,867 (end of 2025)
Average rent
CHF 650–1,000/mo for a room in a shared flat
Languages
German (Bernese Swiss German), English widely used at the university
Public transport
9.0/10
Safety score
8.8/10
Housing market overview
How competitive the market is and what to plan around.
Peak demand periods
July through mid-September and again in January, ahead of the university semesters. WG rooms in Länggasse, Breitenrain and Lorraine are the first to go.
Main challenges
Only 351 flats stood empty in the city on 1 June 2025 — a vacancy rate of 0.44%. Regular flats require a full Swiss application dossier, so student houses, WGs and sublets are the realistic options for newcomers.
Compare Bern's 32 official statistical districts across its 6 Stadtteile by room prices, safety, and commute time to the University of Bern before comparing listings.
Bern's 6 Stadtteile and 32 districts
Compare Bern's official statistical districts by room prices, safety, and commute time to the University of Bern before choosing where to live.
Loading map…
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. District boundaries: Geoinformation Stadt Bern, Statistische Bezirke (map.bern.ch), simplified for web display. Room prices are estimated ranges for a room in a shared flat; listings shown are samples, not real offers.
Main housing channels
How the most-used platforms in this city compare, based on trust and typical audience.
HousingAtlas
4.8/5Best for
Students who want one trusted starting point
+Curated & verified listings
+Built-in scam and risk warnings
+Free to use
–Smaller inventory while we're in early access
VBSL (Berner Studentenlogierhaus)
4.4/5Best for
Students and young people in training
+Non-profit association housing around 780 students
+Rooms from about CHF 560/month
+No Swiss guarantor needed
–Waiting lists at semester start
–Limited short stays
WG-Zimmer.ch
4.0/5Best for
Students looking for shared flats (WGs)
+Largest shared-flat listing site in German-speaking Switzerland
+Direct contact with flatmates
+Many sublets during semester breaks
–Competitive near the university
–Mostly German-language
Flatfox
4.1/5Best for
Students & young professionals
+Clean, modern search interface
+Many listings from Bern property managers
+Direct online applications
–Few furnished rooms
–Popular listings fill within hours
Homegate
3.8/5Best for
Long-term renters & locals
+Largest overall listing volume in Switzerland
+Detailed search filters
+Direct landlord/agency contact
–Mostly unfurnished, long-term flats
–Requires a full Swiss application dossier
Facebook groups
3.0/5Best for
Incoming students and expats
+Free to use
+Sublets from students on exchange
+Some English-language offers
–No listing verification
–Frequent scam posts
–No dispute resolution
Risks & things to know
Common pitfalls other students have run into in this city.
Rental scams
Watch out for cheap furnished flats offered by a 'landlord abroad' who asks for a deposit or first rent before any viewing. Never transfer money before you've seen the room (in person or by live video) and checked who you're dealing with.
Application dossier
For regular flats, landlords expect a debt-collection extract (Betreibungsauszug), ID or permit and proof of income or a guarantor. Student houses, WGs and sublets are much more realistic in your first months.
Deposits and blocked accounts
Swiss law caps the rental deposit at 3 months' rent, held in a blocked account in the tenant's name. Deposit insurance providers are an alternative if you can't open a Swiss bank account yet. Paying a deposit in cash or to a private account is a red flag.
Registration within 14 days
Coming from abroad, you must register with the city's Einwohnerdienste within 14 days and apply for your study permit — bring your rental contract if you have one.