The Canton of Aargau is the fourth most populous canton in Switzerland with over 700,000 inhabitants spread across approximately 200 municipalities. Situated in the north of the country, it forms a true geographical crossroads between Zurich, Basel, Bern and Central Switzerland. Its capital, Aarau, is an elegant city known for its painted facades (Dachhimmel) and its location on the banks of the Aare.
Aargau is a residential canton par excellence: many inhabitants work in Zurich, Basel or Bern and live in Aargau to benefit from rents 20 to 35% more affordable and a green living environment. This position as a dynamic commuter canton generates a considerable volume of moves, both within the canton and between Aargau and neighbouring cantons. Aargau is crossed by Switzerland’s main motorways (A1, A2, A3) and has excellent rail connections, greatly facilitating intercantonal moves.
The canton also offers moderate taxation compared with Zurich, attracting a constant flow of taxpayers and companies seeking to optimise their tax burden while remaining close to the Zurich metropolis.
Why is Aargau the canton of residential mobility?
- Central position: at the heart of the Zurich-Basel-Bern triangle, Aargau is Switzerland’s road and rail crossroads
- Attractive rents: 20 to 35% cheaper than Zurich, with more space (houses with gardens within reach)
- Fast connections: Baden to Zurich in 20 min by train, Aarau to Bern in 30 min, Rheinfelden to Basel in 20 min
- Housing diversity: from urban flats in Baden to family villas in Wohlen and renovated farmhouses in the Freiamt
- Competitive taxation: average tax rate lower than Zurich and Basel
- Quality of life: green countryside, thermal baths (Baden, Schinznach), rivers (Aare, Limmat, Reuss) and historical heritage (Habsburg, Vindonissa)
The challenges of moving in Aargau
Crossroads canton and traffic
Aargau is crossed by Switzerland’s main motorways (A1 Zurich-Bern, A2 Basel-Lucerne-Gotthard, A3 Zurich-Basel). This crossroads position facilitates intercantonal moves but causes heavy rush-hour traffic, particularly on the A1 between Baden and Zurich (the busiest stretch in Switzerland) and at the Birrfeld (A1/A3 junction).
Diverse housing
The canton offers a wide variety of housing: from urban flats (Aarau, Baden) to villas with gardens in residential municipalities, to renovated farmhouses in rural areas. Volumes to move therefore vary considerably.
Border municipalities
The municipalities of the Fricktal (Rheinfelden, Laufenburg, Kaiseraugst) are on the banks of the Rhine, bordering Germany. Cross-border moves to Baden-Wurttemberg are common.
Our moving services in the Canton of Aargau
- Residential moving: complete service for flats, detached houses and villas
- Commercial moving: offices, industrial zones, workshops
- Free quote: compare offers from Aargau movers
- Professional packing: careful packing service with quality materials
- Storage: secure storage in Aarau, Baden, Wettingen and other locations
- Furniture lift: for buildings without a lift in historic town centres
- End-of-lease cleaning: property restoration to local standards
- Intercantonal moving: to Zurich, Basel, Bern and all of Switzerland
Moving prices in the Canton of Aargau
Aargau rates are attractive, considerably lower than Zurich or Basel while offering equivalent quality of service.
Local move
| Property type | Estimated volume | Price range (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 room | 10-15 m³ | 500 – 1,000 |
| 2 rooms | 20-25 m³ | 850 – 1,600 |
| 3-4 rooms | 30-45 m³ | 1,400 – 3,000 |
| 5 rooms and above | 50-70 m³ | 2,400 – 4,800 |
| House / villa | 60-90 m³ | 3,000 – 6,000+ |
Intercantonal move from Aargau
| Route | Estimated supplement |
|---|---|
| Aargau to/from Zurich (30-50 km) | + 200 – 500 CHF |
| Aargau to/from Basel (50-70 km) | + 300 – 600 CHF |
| Aargau to/from Bern (80-100 km) | + 400 – 800 CHF |
| Aargau to/from Lucerne (50-70 km) | + 300 – 600 CHF |
| Aargau to/from Germany (Fricktal) | + 200 – 500 CHF (customs) |
Factors affecting the price
- Location: municipalities close to Zurich (Baden, Wettingen) are 10-15% more expensive than rural areas
- Property type: Aargau has many detached houses, meaning larger volumes
- Distance: the canton is vast, covering over 100 km from east to west
- Traffic: avoid rush hour on the A1; plan transport accordingly
- Time of year: end-of-quarter dates are the busiest, with strong demand for Zurich-to-Aargau transfers
Main towns and municipalities in the Canton of Aargau
- Aarau: cantonal capital (~22,000 inhab.), cultural city on the Aare, known for its painted facades, Aargauer Kunsthaus museum
- Baden: spa and industrial town (~19,000 inhab.), historic headquarters of ABB, 20 min from Zurich, renowned thermal baths
- Wettingen: residential municipality in the Baden agglomeration (~21,000 inhab.), Cistercian abbey
- Wohlen: Freiamt municipality (~17,000 inhab.), between Aarau and Zurich, green setting
- Brugg: historic town at the confluence of the Aare and Reuss (~12,000 inhab.), Roman ruins of Vindonissa
- Rheinfelden: Rhine-side town (~14,000 inhab.), bordering Germany, thermal baths and Feldschlosschen brewery
- Olten: major railway junction (~19,000 inhab.), shared between Aargau and Solothurn
- Lenzburg: town with a medieval castle (~11,000 inhab.), centre of the Seetal
- Zofingen: historic town (~12,000 inhab.), centre of the Wiggertal, medieval old town
Services available in Aargau
- Residential moving: the most requested service (Zurich-to-Aargau flow)
- Commercial moving: industrial zones, offices
- International moving: to neighbouring Germany
- Free quote request: compare and save
Tips for moving in Aargau
- Avoid rush hour: the A1 Baden-Zurich is the busiest stretch in Switzerland; plan transport between 9 am and 4 pm
- Take advantage of the rates: Aargau movers are 20-30% cheaper than Zurich for equivalent service
- Compare offers: the Aargau market is competitive, prices vary significantly
- Plan for the volume: detached houses common in Aargau often have a larger volume than Zurich flats
- Check access: historic centres (Aarau, Baden, Brugg) may have narrow streets requiring a furniture lift
- Book early: demand is sustained year-round thanks to the constant flow of new residents
- Coordinate the cleaning: book the end-of-lease clean at the same time as the move
- Explore the municipalities: each Aargau municipality has its own character — Baden is urban, Wohlen is rural, Rheinfelden is a border town
FAQ — Moving in the Canton of Aargau
Questions fréquentes
Prices range from 500 CHF for a studio to over 6,000 CHF for a villa. Aargau rates are among the most competitive in the region, 20 to 30% lower than Zurich for equivalent service.
Yes, this is a very common move. Rents in Aargau are 20 to 35% lower than in Zurich, while offering excellent rail connections (Baden to Zurich in 20 min, Aarau to Zurich in 30 min). The moving cost is quickly recouped.
Aargau is German-speaking, but some of our partners have French-speaking or bilingual teams. Specify your language preference when requesting your quote.
Yes, cross-border moves to Baden-Wurttemberg are common from the Fricktal (Rheinfelden, Laufenburg). Customs formalities apply. Allow a supplement of 200-500 CHF.
Book 3 to 5 weeks in advance in normal periods, and 5 to 7 weeks for end-of-quarter dates. Demand is sustained year-round due to the constant flow from Zurich.
The A1 (Zurich-Baden-Bern) and Birrfeld routes are often congested during rush hour. Local movers plan journeys accordingly, favouring off-peak hours between 9 am and 4 pm.
Yes, most of our partners offer a combined moving + cleaning package. This is often better value and more practical than booking both separately.
Request your free quote for a move in Aargau
Request your free quote and compare offers from professional movers operating in the Canton of Aargau. Take advantage of this crossroads canton’s competitive rates for a successful move, whether you are arriving from Zurich, Basel, Bern or moving within the canton.