St. Gallen
A compact, hillside Swiss city built around its UNESCO-listed old town, with the University of St. Gallen (HSG) driving a steady stream of student demand. Expect a small, walkable center, excellent public transport, and a rental market where good rooms disappear fast.
Average monthly rent
CHF 650–950/mo
Cost of living
CHF 1,400–1,900/month (rent, food, transport, essentials)
Quick facts
Population
~80,000 (canton: 530,000)
Average rent
CHF 650–950/mo
Languages
German (Swiss German dialect), English widely used at HSG
Public transport
9.0/10
Safety score
9.2/10
Housing market overview
How competitive the market is and what to plan around.
Peak demand periods
August through September, and again in January, ahead of HSG's autumn and spring semesters. Rooms close to campus or the old town are often gone within a day of being listed.
Main challenges
Vacancy rates in the city are very low, and most landlords require a blocked Swiss deposit account (Mietkautionskonto) equal to up to 3 months' rent, which typically needs a Swiss bank account to set up.
Compare St.Gallen's 31 official statistical quarters by rent, safety, and commute time to HSG before comparing listings.
St.Gallen Statistische Quartiere
Compare St.Gallen's 31 official statistical quarters by rent, safety, and commute time to HSG before choosing where to live.
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Quarter boundaries from the City of St.Gallen open data portal (daten.stadt.sg.ch).
Main housing channels
How the most-used platforms in this city compare, based on trust and typical audience.
HousingAtlas
4.8/5Best for
Students who want one trusted starting point
+Curated & verified listings
+Built-in scam and risk warnings
+Free to use
–Smaller inventory while we're in early access
WOKO
4.5/5Best for
Students seeking cooperative housing
+Student-run housing cooperative
+Below-market rents
+Long-term community focus
–Long waiting lists
–Limited spots for exchange students
WG-Zimmer.ch
4.0/5Best for
Students looking for shared flats (WGs)
+Largest shared-flat listing site in German-speaking Switzerland
+Direct contact with flatmates
+Wide price range
–High competition for good listings
–Mostly German-language
Flatfox
4.1/5Best for
Students & young professionals
+Clean, modern search interface
+Verified agency listings
+Direct online applications
–Fewer shared-room listings
–Popular listings fill within hours
Homegate
3.8/5Best for
Long-term renters & locals
+Largest overall listing volume in Switzerland
+Detailed search filters
+Direct landlord/agency contact
–Mostly unfurnished, long-term flats
–Requires a full Swiss application dossier
Facebook groups
3.2/5Best for
Incoming & current HSG students
+Free to use
+Sublet and short-term options from other students
+Fast-moving deals
–No listing verification
–Higher scam risk
–No dispute resolution
Risks & things to know
Common pitfalls other students have run into in this city.
Blocked deposit accounts
Most landlords require a Mietkautionskonto — a blocked deposit account holding up to 3 months' rent — which usually requires a Swiss bank account. Start this process as early as possible, ideally before arrival.
Mandatory registration (Anmeldung)
You must register your address with the local Einwohnamt within 14 days of moving in, and you'll need a signed rental contract to do so — don't delay signing your lease.
Fixed lease terms & notice periods
Many contracts run for a fixed minimum term with 3-month notice periods, and subletting without the landlord's written permission is a common source of disputes.
Furnished vs. unfurnished
Private long-term flats are frequently listed unfurnished, sometimes without kitchen appliances or light fixtures, while student rooms and WGs are usually furnished. Confirm exactly what's included before signing.
What students are saying
I got on the WOKO waiting list the day I got my HSG admission letter — it paid off, but I wouldn't have found a spot otherwise.
Lena, Master's student from Austria
Opening a Swiss bank account just to pay the deposit took longer than I expected. Start that process the moment you have a signed contract.
Marco, exchange student from Italy
WG-Zimmer moves fast — I messaged ten listings the same day they went up and only heard back from two.
Priya, exchange student from the UK