2026 comparison
Albi vs Castres (81): 2026 comparison
Albi has more inhabitants than Castres: 52,783 versus 43,800, or 21% more. Castres covers a larger area (98.2 km² versus 44.3 km²), but Albi is more densely populated: 1,193 inhabitants per km² versus 446.
The median apartment price is higher in Albi: €2,350 per m² versus €1,667. The median standard of living is higher in Albi (€24,240 a year versus €23,620).
The two cities are 36 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Albi
City in Tarn
- Population
- 52,783 inhab.
- 125th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 44.3 km²
- Density
- 1,193 per km²
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Castres
City in Tarn
- Population
- 43,800 inhab.
- 176th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 98.2 km²
- Density
- 446 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
AlbiCastres
| Criterion | Albi | Castres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Albi+21% | 52,783 | 43,800 | More populous: Albi+21% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Albi+3.0 pts | +4.7% | +1.7% | Stronger growth: Albi+3.0 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Albi+1.9 pt | +3.9% | +2.1% | Stronger growth: Albi+1.9 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Albi2.7 times as high | 1,193 | 446 | Denser: Albi2.7 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Castres+2.3 pts | 12.8% | 15.1% | More young people: Castres+2.3 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Albi+1.2 pt | 27.9% | 26.7% | More seniors: Albi+1.2 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Castres+0.19 | 1.78 | 1.97 | Larger households: Castres+0.19 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Albi | Castres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Albi+41% | 2,350 | 1,667 | More expensive: Albi+41% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Albi+29% | 2,066 | 1,607 | More expensive: Albi+29% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Albi+12% | 11.2 | 10.0 | More expensive: Albi+12% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Albi+17% | 9.3 | 8.0 | More expensive: Albi+17% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Castres+7.9 pts | 46.6% | 54.4% | More homeowners: Castres+7.9 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Castres+9.2 pts | 49.9% | 59.1% | More houses: Castres+9.2 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Albi+4.9 pts | 22.6% | 17.7% | More social housing: Albi+4.9 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Albi+1.4 pt | 4.3% | 3.0% | More second homes: Albi+1.4 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Castres+3.5 pts | 7.2% | 10.7% | More vacant homes: Castres+3.5 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Albi+3.1 pts | 64.48% | 61.38% | Higher rate: Albi+3.1 pts |
Sources: DGFiP (DVF), Ministry of Housing (rent map), INSEE, census, Ministry for the Ecological Transition (SRU), DGFiP, local taxation
Income and jobs
Residents’ income and jobs
| Criterion | Albi | Castres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Albi+3% | 24,240 | 23,620 | Higher: Albi+3% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Castres+0.1 pt | 21.0% | 21.1% | Higher: Castres+0.1 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Albi+2% | €27,445 | €26,981 | Higher: Albi+2% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Albi+2.4 pts | 43% | 40% | More taxpaying households: Albi+2.4 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Castres+3.5 pts | 69.2% | 72.6% | Higher: Castres+3.5 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Albi+0.7 pt | 15.2% | 14.5% | Higher: Albi+0.7 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Albi | Castres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Stéphanie Guiraud-Chaumeil | Florian Azéma | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | Rassemblement national | |
| Premises with fiberTie | 97% | 97% | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Albi | Castres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Castres+7% | 91.9485 in total | 98.6432 in total | More shops per capita: Castres+7% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Albi+3% | 26.7141 in total | 26.0114 in total | More per capita: Albi+3% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Albi+38% | 47.9253 in total | 34.7152 in total | More per capita: Albi+38% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Albi+30% | 29.2154 in total | 22.498 in total | More per capita: Albi+30% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Albi+4% | 2.815 in total | 2.712 in total | More per capita: Albi+4% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Albi+58% | 3.619 in total | 2.310 in total | More per capita: Albi+58% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Albi+1 | 2 | 1 | More stations: Albi+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Albi | Castres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Albi+38% | 4.6 | 3.4 | Better access: Albi+38% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Albi+13% | 10.656 in total | 9.441 in total | More per capita: Albi+13% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Albi2.3 times as high | 46.4245 in total | 20.590 in total | More per capita: Albi2.3 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Castres+15% | 8.042 in total | 9.140 in total | More per capita: Castres+15% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Albi+11% | 3.820 in total | 3.415 in total | More per capita: Albi+11% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Albi+4 | 13 | 9 | More facilities: Albi+4 |
Practitioners and facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print); access to doctors includes those in neighboring communes. Sources: Ministry of Health (DREES), APL, INSEE, facilities database (BPE), Ministry of Health (Finess)
Education
Schools and colleges
| Criterion | Albi | Castres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Castres+10 | 18 | 28 | More schools: Castres+10 |
| Middle schoolsTie | 8 | 8 | Tie |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Albi+3 | 13 | 10 | More high schools: Albi+3 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Albi+5 | 12 | 7 | More facilities: Albi+5 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Albi | Castres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Castres+48% | 6.0 | 8.9 | Higher rate: Castres+48% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Albi+15% | 9.6 | 8.3 | Higher rate: Albi+15% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Castres+22% | 3.4 | 4.2 | Higher rate: Castres+22% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Castres+38% | 0.7 | 0.9 | Higher rate: Castres+38% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Albi+32% | 11.3 | 8.6 | Higher rate: Albi+32% |
Offenses recorded in the commune by the police and gendarmerie, per 1,000 inhabitants (per 1,000 homes for burglaries); this is not the actual crime level. Rates for the latest published year. Source: Ministry of the Interior (SSMSI)
Climate
Temperature, sunshine and rain
| Criterion | Albi | Castres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureTie | 13.8°C | 13.8°C | Tie |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,134 | — | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Castres+22% | 734 | 896 | Wetter: Castres+22% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Castres+5 days/year | 104 | 109 | More rainy days: Castres+5 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Albi+6 days/year | 39 | 32 | More frost days: Albi+6 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Albi+3 days/year | 40 | 38 | More hot days: Albi+3 days/year |
Climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each commune. Source: Météo-France, climate normals
Natural hazards
Natural disasters and prevention
| Criterion | Albi | Castres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Castres+9 | 27 | 36 | More declarations: Castres+9 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Albi+1 | 3 | 2 | More plans: Albi+1 |
| Radon potential | Low, with aggravating factors | Significant |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Albi | Castres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Castres2.2 times as high | 44.3 | 98.2 | Larger: Castres2.2 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Albi+2 m | 173 m | 171 m | Higher: Albi+2 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Tarn (81) | Tarn (81) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération de l'Albigeois (C2A) | Communauté d'agglomération de Castres Mazamet | |
| Urban unit | Albi | Castres | |
| Functional area | Albi | Castres |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Albi vs Castres (81) at a glance
| Criterion | Albi | Castres |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 52,783 | 43,800 |
| Change over 10 years | +3.9% | +2.1% |
| Density per km² | 1,193 | 446 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,350 | 1,667 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,066 | 1,607 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.2 | 10.0 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 64.48% | 61.38% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,240 | 23,620 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 15.2% | 14.5% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.6 | 3.4 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.0 | 8.9 |
| Average temperature | 13.8°C | 13.8°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,134 | — |
| Area km² | 44.3 | 98.2 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Albi vs Castres (81): your questions
Which is the larger city, Albi or Castres?
By population, Albi: 52,783 inhabitants versus 43,800 for Castres (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Albi is the 125th largest city in France, Castres the 176th. By area, Castres is the larger (98.2 km²).
How far is Albi from Castres?
Albi and Castres are 36 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Tarn).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Albi or Castres?
To buy an apartment, Albi is more expensive: €2,350 per m² (median price), versus €1,667 in Castres (+41%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Albi or Castres?
In Albi, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,240 a year, versus €23,620 in Castres (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Albi and Castres in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Tarn (81), in the Occitanie region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures