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← All answers · Updated 2026-05-26 · By Selvir Suke, CEO + Founder
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What are the best areas around Zurich for cheaper rent?

The best Zurich-overflow areas for cheaper rent are Schlieren, Dietikon, Winterthur, Wallisellen, and Baden. Schlieren and Dietikon sit in the Limmat valley with 8-15 minute S-Bahn rides to Zurich HB and 20-30% rent savings. Winterthur is 20 minutes away with vibrant city life. Wallisellen serves the Glattal tech corridor. Baden offers a historic medium-sized city with ABB jobs. All run CHF 1,800-2,200 for a 3.5-room. On aptari you can see listings from across the market in one open feed and filter by commute to Zurich HB, so the trade-off between rent and travel time is easy to compare.

Top Zurich-overflow towns

Schlieren - 3.5-room gross: CHF 1,900-2,100 - 8-12 minute S-Bahn to Zurich HB - Limmattal redevelopment (Schlieren Stadtmitte) - Discount: 25-30%

Dietikon - 3.5-room gross: CHF 1,800-2,000 - 14-18 minute S-Bahn to Zurich HB - Limmattalbahn tram extension improves connectivity - Discount: 30%

Winterthur - 3.5-room gross: CHF 2,000 - 20-22 minute IC train to Zurich HB - Independent city feel, vibrant restaurant scene, ZHAW - Discount: 25-30%

Wallisellen - 3.5-room gross: CHF 2,100 - 8-10 minute S-Bahn to Zurich HB - Glattzentrum mall, Glattpark tech offices - Discount: 20-25%

Baden (Aargau) - 3.5-room gross: CHF 2,000 - 15-18 minute IC train to Zurich HB - ABB headquarters, charming medieval centre, low cantonal tax - Discount: 25-30%

Tax bonus

Baden and the Aargau offer lower cantonal taxes than Zurich city. Wallisellen and Dietlikon sit in canton Zurich but at lower municipal tax rates than central Zurich.

The easiest way to search these towns

aptari shows listings from across the market · aptari, Homegate, ImmoScout24 and Flatfox · in one open feed, so you can compare Schlieren, Dietikon, Winterthur, Wallisellen and Baden side by side and filter by commute to Zurich HB and rent budget. Save your Tenant Passport once and apply with one click to aptari-partner listings, with a Match Score that tells you which of these places you can actually get.

See cheapest Zurich Kreis and how to find apartment in Winterthur.

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