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Cooperative apartments in the city of Zurich
Most people searching for a cooperative apartment in Zurich mean the city itself. It has the largest stock of cooperative housing in Switzerland, spread across all twelve districts. We have recorded 1,097 listings in the city so far, 104 of them currently active.
Cooperative apartments in the city of Zurich
By city district
| District | Neighbourhoods | Listings | Active listings | Median rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District 1 | Altstadt (8001) | 29 | 1 | – |
| District 2 | Enge, Wollishofen, Leimbach (8002, 8038, 8041) | 59 | 6 | – |
| District 3 | Wiedikon, Friesenberg (8003, 8045, 8055) | 81 | 8 | – |
| District 4 | Aussersihl (8004) | 74 | 8 | CHF 1,170 |
| District 5 | Industriequartier (8005) | 30 | 5 | – |
| District 6 | Unterstrass, Oberstrass (8006, 8057) | 93 | 3 | – |
| District 7 | Fluntern, Hottingen, Hirslanden, Witikon (8032, 8044, 8053) | 50 | 6 | – |
| District 8 | Riesbach (8008) | 20 | 3 | – |
| District 9 | Altstetten, Albisrieden (8047, 8048, 8064) | 159 | 23 | CHF 1,620 |
| District 10 | Höngg, Wipkingen (8037, 8049) | 59 | 7 | – |
| District 11 | Affoltern, Oerlikon, Seebach (8046, 8050, 8052) | 154 | 15 | CHF 1,470 |
| District 12 | Schwamendingen (8051) | 84 | 2 | CHF 1,790 |
Assigned by postal code (postal code areas do not follow district borders exactly). Median advertised gross rent of the listings of the last two years, shown from 10 listings from at least 2 different landlords.
Cooperative Housing in Canton Zurich – Key Facts & How-tos
According to its own figures, the regional association Wohnbaugenossenschaften Zürich has 299 member organisations with around 83,000 apartments and commercial units (as stated on the association's website, retrieved September 2026). These are association figures, not a complete count of all cooperative apartments in the canton. The association puts the share of non-profit housing at around 9 % in the canton and 27 % in the city of Zurich.
Why consider a cooperative (“Genossenschaftswohnung”)?
- Rents based on costs (cost-rent principle) rather than on a targeted market return.
- Long-term security of tenure and community-oriented neighbourhoods.
- High ecological standards – many new builds meet 2 000-Watt or Minergie-P targets.
Large cooperatives in the canton
Large Zurich cooperatives include ABZ, ASIG, FGZ, BG Zurlinden and GEWOBAG. Each runs its own application process – check their sites or our cooperative overview for details.
Application tips
- Create a search alert above: with Premium you get matching new listings by e-mail or WhatsApp as soon as we pick them up. Without Premium, new listings become visible on Laos.io after 24 hours.
- Prepare a complete application dossier (extract from the debt register, proof of income, personal letter).
- Join cooperatives early; some accept members before a flat becomes free, improving your chances in internal lotteries.
Did you know…?
At the end of 2025, around 1.63 million people lived in Canton Zurich, Switzerland's most populous canton; the population grew by 0.8 % over the previous year (Canton of Zurich). That is one reason demand for affordable cooperative housing stays high.
Further resources
- Housing statistics – availability, price indices
- Market overview & tips
- FAQ on cooperative apartments
Rents and figures in the canton of Zürich
| Size | Median gross rent / month | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 1–1.5 rooms | CHF 970 | 67 |
| 2–2.5 rooms | CHF 1,600 | 118 |
| 3–3.5 rooms | CHF 1,590 | 232 |
| 4–4.5 rooms | CHF 1,880 | 167 |
| 5+ rooms | CHF 2,440 | 46 |
Based on 2,002 listings recorded by Laos.io (latest on 19 Oct 2026). Rents: advertised gross rents of the listings of the last two years, shown from 10 listings from at least 2 different landlords – not a representative local rent. Share capital: stated in 116 listings from 26 cooperatives. Figures are only shown with enough listings, as of 4 Nov 2026. Market report
Towns with cooperative apartments in the canton of Zürich
- Zürich 104
- Winterthur 44
- Embrach 6
- Dietikon 7
- Horgen 1
- Mönchaltorf 2
- Uster 3
- Dübendorf 1
- Turbenthal 3
- Urdorf 2
- Bassersdorf 2
- Bachenbülach 1
- Gossau ZH
- Schlieren 2
- Hausen am Albis 3
- Elsau
- Illnau-Effretikon
- Männedorf 1
- Adliswil 1
- Wetzikon 3
- Zumikon 2
- Tagelswangen
- Thalwil 1
- Volketswil 2
- Zollikon
- Meilen 1
- Wallisellen 1
- Birmensdorf
- Bülach
- Kloten 3
- Oberengstringen 1
- Regensdorf
- Rüti 2
- Stäfa 3
- Affoltern am Albis 2
- Obfelden 4
- Küsnacht 1
- Rickenbach Sulz
- Rikon im Tösstal 5
Green badge: active listings.
Active listings also in: Elgg (3), Lindau (3), Wettswil am Albis (3), Wolfhausen (3), Binz (2), Bonstetten (2), Dachsen (2), Glattfelden (2), Greifensee (2), Hüntwangen (2), Richterswil (2), Samstagern (2), Bauma (1), Bubikon (1), Dänikon (1), Ebmatingen (1), Fällanden (1), Fehraltorf (1), Flurlingen (1), Geroldswil (1), Hinwil (1), Kilchberg (1), Langnau am Albis (1), Mettmenstetten (1), Nänikon (1), Neerach (1), Niederhasli (1), Oberrieden (1), Ossingen (1), Seegräben (1), Seuzach (1), Wangen-Brüttisellen (1), Wiesendangen (1), Wila (1), Zell ZH (1), Zollikerberg (1)
Housing cooperatives in the canton of Zürich
Get notified about new apartments in the canton of Zürich
Listings for cooperative apartments are often only online briefly. With a search alert and Premium (CHF 15 a month, 5-day free trial) you get new listings by e-mail or WhatsApp as soon as we pick them up; without Premium, new listings become visible on Laos.io after 24 hours.
FAQ: cooperative apartments in the canton of Zürich
Are there cooperative apartments available in the canton of Zürich right now?
Laos.io currently has 263 active listings for cooperative apartments in the canton of Zürich (as of 4 Nov 2026). Check with the landlord whether an apartment is still available. 164 new listings were added over the last 12 months.
How much does a cooperative apartment cost in the canton of Zürich?
The median advertised gross rent in our archive (cooperative apartments in the canton of Zürich, last two years) is CHF 1,720 per month (n = 630 listings). It is not a representative average rent of all cooperative apartments. By size: 1–1.5 rooms CHF 970; 2–2.5 rooms CHF 1,600; 3–3.5 rooms CHF 1,590; 4–4.5 rooms CHF 1,880; 5+ rooms CHF 2,440. Non-profit landlords set the rent according to their costs rather than a targeted market return.
Which housing cooperatives are there in the canton of Zürich?
Our directory lists 203 cooperatives and non-profit landlords in the canton of Zürich, for example Stadt Zurich, Stiftung PWG, GWG Gemeinnützige Wohnbaugenossenschaft Winterthur and Siedlungsgenossenschaft Sunnige Hof. Their profile pages show contact details, membership requirements and current listings.
Which apartment sizes are most common in the canton of Zürich?
3.5-room apartments are the most common (122 listings in the last two years), followed by 3-room apartments (110) and 4.5-room apartments (98).
How do I apply for a cooperative apartment?
You apply directly with the cooperative, usually via the link in the listing. A complete application usually includes an extract from the debt enforcement register, proof of income and a short cover letter. Many landlords require a minimum occupancy depending on the number of rooms and ask you to buy share certificates when you move in. Reacting quickly pays off: popular apartments often receive a very large number of applications.