Top 5 Student-Friendly Neighborhoods in Zurich

Zurich is a fantastic city for students, offering safe communities and excellent public transport throughout. Some locations are better than others, but you can't really go wrong.

1. Langstrasse (District 4 - Aussersihl)

Langstrasse in Kreis 4 is the area known for nightlife. It is the only reason police have anything to do on Friday and Saturday nights.

Safety: Compared to most other countries it is safe but compared to how the rest of Zurich feels Langstrasse feels rough. If you live here and are coming back late at night you might feel uncomfortable so before signing a lease, make sure you visit during the nighttime to know if you would be happy with it. I personally like it, I think it is how Zurich stops itself going mad with all the perfection.
Average Rent: CHF 700–900 for a room in a shared flat, CHF 1,500+ for studios. Shared flats are the most common option.
Student Housing: Many WGs (flatshares) and affordable older apartments. If you are a light sleeper you might have difficulty here. Constant street noise and older buildings mean some bedrooms are not so quiet.
Key Amenities: Excellent public transport (trams, buses, trains), many budget restaurants, and bars.

2. Universität Quarter (District 6 - Unter-/Oberstrass)

Home to ETH Zurich and UZH, District 6 (Unter-/Oberstrass) is perfect for students who want to live close to campus.

Average Rent: CHF 800–1,400 for WG rooms, CHF 1,700+ for small apartments.
Student Housing: Very high student concentration. Many dorms and shared apartments near the university buildings.
Key Amenities: University cafeterias, libraries, and fast tram connections to downtown.
Safety: Extremely safe; mostly students and families.

3. Oerlikon (District 11 - North Zurich)

Oerlikon is known for its affordability and great transit links.

Average Rent: CHF 600 – 1400 for WG rooms, CHF 1,300–1,800 for studios.
Student Housing: Moderate student presence and growing. Some student dorms nearby. UZH Irchel campus is just on the edge of Oerlikon so there are many private market flatshares too.
Key Amenities: A very well connected train station and all the large grocery stores. The restuarant quality is lower compared to the city but most people will find one or two they like. There are bars, but I don't think you want to go to them. A running track around Irchel campus and the woods are great for runners (who can handle hills). The campus has other facilities and classes for ASVZ members too.
Safety: Safe, people who say it isn't are talking nonsense. Don't let them worry you. For one thing, there is a large police station right in the town.

4. Altstetten (District 9 - West Zurich)

Altstetten offers some of Zurich's cheapest rents while still being well connected to the city center. You will have a longer commute to ETH or UZH but only "long" by Zurich standards. Perfect for ZHdK students. It is an old industrial area which is being rebuilt with modern housing so as of 2025 it has a mixed character.

Average Rent: CHF 600–750 for WG rooms, CHF 1,100 – 1,700 for small apartments.
Student Housing: Moderate student density and increasing as more apartments are added. Popular with budget-conscious students and families.
Key Amenities: Letzipark shopping center is one of the few malls in Zurich. Supermarkets of course.
Safety: Safe (We are going to say this for every area by the way). Ideal for students who prefer a relaxed neighborhood.

5. Höngg & Wipkingen (District 10 - Höngg/Wipkingen)

Höngg and Wipkingen offer a mix of a campus environment and relaxed residential living. It is not well connected compared to the rest of the city. But it is great for students at ETH and UZH who can use the shuttle to the center and will spend most their time studying on one of the two campuses anyway.

Average Rent: CHF 600 – 1200 for private market WG rooms, CHF 1,400+ for studios.
Student Housing: High student presence in Höngg (ETH dorms), moderate in Wipkingen.
Key Amenities: ETH Hönggerberg campus has cafeterias, libraries, and sports facilities.
Safety: Very safe, quiet, and suburban.

Final Thoughts

Where do students usually live in Zurich? The answer depends on budget, lifestyle preferences, and persistence to keep searching after finding your first place. If you want affordable housing while being central, Langstrasse (Kreis 4). If you want slightly less competition in your search, Oerlikon. If you prefer quiet, student-heavy areas, Höngg, Wipkingen. If you want to take on the full force of the student housing market, the Uni Quarter (Kreis 6) is the place to be.

Don't overthink it—Zurich is small, and public transport is excellent. No matter where you live, you can reach ETH or UZH in under 30 minutes. Check out our Ultimate Guide to Student Housing for more tips on finding accommodation. If you're looking further out, our guide on commuting from the suburbs covers cheaper alternatives.