The Ostermundigen Real Estate Market: Housing, Densification and Tram Planning

Growth & Population

According to the Municipality of Ostermundigen, 18'695 people lived in the municipality on December 31, 2025, compared with 18'005 at the end of 2020. The population therefore increased by 690 residents, or around 3.8 percent, over five years.

The O’mundo local planning revision uses an assumption of around 20'400 residents and about 1'090 additional jobs for the 2040 planning horizon. The frequently cited growth rate of 11 percent uses the former baseline of 18'400 residents. Compared with the actual population at the end of 2025, the remaining increase to 2040 would be around 9.1 percent. This is a planning assumption, not a guaranteed population forecast.

For rents, it is useful to compare two different datasets. RealAdvisor reported a median asking rent of CHF 2'648 per month for postcode 3072 when accessed on July 30, 2026; 80 percent of listings ranged from CHF 1'383 to CHF 4'901. Its figure of CHF 318 per square metre per year equals CHF 26.50 per square metre per month. Raiffeisen's municipal profile models a net rent of CHF 2'363 per month for a typical new four-room apartment measuring 100 square metres. Both figures are reference points; location, condition, floor plan, fit-out standard and ancillary costs remain decisive for an individual letting.

According to Raiffeisen, based on the Federal Statistical Office's vacancy survey, Ostermundigen's vacancy rate stood at 1.1 percent on June 1, 2025. This was virtually level with the Canton of Bern's 1.12 percent and slightly above the Swiss rate of 1.0 percent. The figure describes the overall market; the time required to let an individual home still depends heavily on its micro-location, size, condition and rent.

Tram project: 2026 is no longer realistic

The Bern–Ostermundigen tram remains an important infrastructure project, but the previously announced 2026 construction start is outdated. The plan-approval procedure at the Federal Office of Transport has not yet been concluded with legal effect. Only after that can a binding start date for the main project be set. The municipality's current information on the local planning revision now indicates that the tram line is expected to be completed from 2032. Preparatory utility works in the Bahnhof/Waldeck area began in 2024; they are not the same as construction of the tram line itself.

The planned route is around 4.5 kilometres long and runs from Viktoriaplatz in Bern to Oberfeld in Ostermundigen. According to the municipality, today's number 10 bus carries more than 8 million passengers per year and is overloaded at peak times. The canton, City of Bern and Municipality of Ostermundigen approved the funding proposals at the ballot box. Those political decisions do not, however, replace the outstanding legally binding plan approval.

Densification along the Bernstrasse

Through O’mundo, Ostermundigen is pursuing inward development without rezoning new land for housing. The main development is to be concentrated along Bernstrasse and around the railway station. Depending on the section, the current draft for the Corso zones allows a maximum of five or six full storeys plus an attic level. New buildings, extensions and replacement buildings are also subject to requirements for ground-floor uses, forecourts and trees. Listed and locally protected buildings are partly exempt.

An important point for owners is that the new land-use rules are not yet legally binding. According to the project status, the documents are undergoing cantonal preliminary review. The actual development capacity will later depend on the parcel, zone, protection status and specific project. One completed example of densification near the station is the BäreTower: completed in 2022, the approximately 100-metre building has 32 storeys and 152 apartments, as well as hotel, office, restaurant and retail space.

What this means for property owners

For owners, these developments create opportunities, but not blanket value gains that can already be priced in. Along Bernstrasse, O’mundo may permit more intensive use; before making a decision, however, the zone, protection status, access, noise, mandatory ground-floor use and any betterment levy must be assessed for the individual property. Given the open schedule, the tram should not be treated as a guaranteed short-term driver of rents or values.

In the rental market, a vacancy rate of 1.1 percent points to a generally functional market, but not a shortage in every segment. Market-appropriate rent, complete documentation, strong presentation and prompt handling of enquiries therefore matter in day-to-day management. Longer construction phases around the station and Bernstrasse also make early, clear communication with tenants important. We support these priorities through property management in the Bern region.

All figures and legal references in this article are disclosed and linked → Sources.