High living costs make France a housing alternative for many West Swiss. Almost seven out of ten respondents describe rent or purchase price in their region as expensive. 4.2 percent of respondents — extrapolated to around 92,400 West Swiss — are actively seeking property in France. 'While Switzerland debates limiting immigration, many Romands are considering crossing the border themselves for cost reasons. This shows how deeply living costs now affect daily life,' says Comparis real estate expert Harry Büsser.
All French-speaking regions were surveyed, including communities in the canton of Bern. There are strong regional differences. While in the canton of Geneva half of the respondents rate living costs as not just expensive but very expensive, in Bern it’s only 10 percent, Jura 11 percent, and Valais 12 percent.
Worrying is the financial burden that living costs leave in household budgets: one in four respondents said they spend 36 percent or more of their household budget on housing costs. Eight percent spend even more than half of their household income on housing expenses. Correspondingly, France is an attractive emigration country for the Romands, where housing costs are often only a fraction of what must be paid in Switzerland.
Lower living costs are the main reason for the attractiveness of France.
As in last year’s survey, it is also evident this year that almost one in three adults in Romandy (30 percent) can consider moving to France. 4.2 percent of all respondents state they are currently actively looking for a flat or house in France - that's 92,400 Romands.
The motive is even more pronounced compared to the previous year: more respondents than in 2025 expect lower rents or cheaper purchase prices for homeownership when crossing the border (38 percent compared to 34 percent in the previous year).
The hurdles for moving to France.
Even if France is attractive, there is a significant obstacle to moving: 4 out of 10 Romands do not accept longer commute times to live cheaper. Another 34 percent would accept at most half an hour more commuting time. Thus, three-quarters of the respondents accept no or only very limited additional commuting time. 'Many Romands are trapped in the commuting dilemma, because France would be financially attractive, but a longer commute is hardly acceptable,' says Comparis real estate expert Harry Büsser.
Many Romands are currently commuting relatively short distances: 38 percent take a quarter to half an hour, 21 percent less than a quarter of an hour. Another 21 percent are between 31 and 60 minutes, slightly over 6 percent commute more than an hour.
Even more important than commuting time are social and organizational hurdles. The most frequently mentioned by respondents are the distance to family and friends. Then follow commuting time and transport connections as well as uncertainties regarding administration, taxes, and health insurance. Therefore, while France is financially interesting for many, it is practically challenging in everyday life.
'Price draws, but everyday life, family, and administration decide,' says Büsser. 'France can be financially attractive for Romands. Whether a move works, depends on whether it remains manageable in daily life.'
Cross-border commuters in the environment lower the threshold.
The step across the border is not entirely abstract. Around 68 percent of respondents know friends or acquaintances who live as cross-border commuters in France. This lowers the threshold. Those who know such examples in their own environment perceive a move as feasible and less a leap into the unknown.
'Cross-border commuters in acquaintances make an abstract idea a real option,' says Büsser. 'You then not only see the price advantage but also how everyday life on the other side of the border actually works.'
Market apartments are often too expensive to change.
Because apartments on the market are often significantly more expensive than existing rent agreements, many Romands remain in their current living situation for a long time. 44 percent of respondents have been living in the same flat or house for over 10 years. This stability is particularly pronounced among older Romands: 70 percent of those over 56 years old have been living in the same place for more than ten years. Among those aged 36–55, it is 39 percent and even among those aged 18–35, it is already 29 percent. 'Those who have been living in the same apartment for a long time have little incentive to move, probably not even across the border,' suspects Büsser.
The decisive lever remains more living space in the centres.
The analysis does not show a simple migration story but a target conflict: staying is expensive, moving is complicated. For many Romands, France is a possible financial relief but not an effortless escape.
For Büsser, the economic point is therefore not just on the demand side. 'Housing shortage only becomes high demand if the supply does not grow,' he says. 'If many people want to live where the jobs, infrastructure, and social environment are, then more must be built precisely there.'
Tips for emigrating.
Compare total costs instead of just housing costs.
A lower rent or cheaper purchase price alone is not a sufficient basis for decision-making. The current housing situation should be compared with a move within Switzerland and a move to France, including calculations of taxes, health insurance, energy, mobility, insurance, fees, and exchange rate risks.
Realistically test commuting time.
Don’t just check the distance on the map. Ride times at peak times, border traffic, public transport connections, parking situation, and home office rules are decisive.
Check scenarios.
A cheaper alternative not only has to fit today but also remain sustainable with changing commutes, family obligations, interest rates, additional costs, or energy prices.
Consider social environment.
Proximity to family, friends, childcare, school, or care can relativize a financial advantage. A move not only changes housing costs but also everyday organization and personal support.
Methodology.
The representative survey was conducted by the market research institute Innofact, commissioned by the online comparison service comparis.ch, which operates the largest independent real estate portal in Switzerland. The survey took place in May 2026. 1,001 people were surveyed in the Western Swiss cantons of Geneva, Jura, Neuchatel, and Vaud, as well as the French-speaking parts of the cantons of Bern, Fribourg, and Valais.
Further information:
Harry Büsser
Real Estate Expert
Phone: 044 360 53 91
Email: media@comparis.ch
comparis.ch