2026 comparison
Alençon vs Caen: 2026 comparison
Caen has more inhabitants than Alençon: 111,546 versus 26,175, or 4.3 times as many. Caen is both larger (25.7 km² versus 10.7 km²) and more densely populated (4,340 inhabitants per km² versus 2,451).
The median apartment price is higher in Caen: €2,848 per m² versus €1,144. The median standard of living is higher in Caen (€23,650 a year versus €21,150).
The two cities are 90 km apart as the crow flies.
Alençon
City in Orne
- Population
- 26,175 inhab.
- 350th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 10.7 km²
- Density
- 2,451 per km²
Caen
City in Calvados
- Population
- 111,546 inhab.
- 38th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 25.7 km²
- Density
- 4,340 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
AlençonCaen
| Criterion | Alençon | Caen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Caen4.3 times as high | 26,175 | 111,546 | More populous: Caen4.3 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Caen+4.8 pts | −1.1% | +3.7% | Stronger growth: Caen+4.8 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Caen+5.3 pts | −3.3% | +2.0% | Stronger growth: Caen+5.3 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Caen+77% | 2,451 | 4,340 | Denser: Caen+77% |
| Under 15More young people: Alençon+3.9 pts | 15.6% | 11.7% | More young people: Alençon+3.9 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Alençon+4.7 pts | 23.6% | 18.9% | More seniors: Alençon+4.7 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Alençon+0.15 | 1.81 | 1.66 | Larger households: Alençon+0.15 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Alençon | Caen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Caen2.5 times as high | 1,144 | 2,848 | More expensive: Caen2.5 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Caen2.2 times as high | 1,552 | 3,414 | More expensive: Caen2.2 times as high |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Caen+37% | 10.1 | 13.8 | More expensive: Caen+37% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Caen+50% | 8.4 | 12.7 | More expensive: Caen+50% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Alençon+5.2 pts | 34.7% | 29.4% | More homeowners: Alençon+5.2 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Alençon+23 pts | 37.7% | 14.7% | More houses: Alençon+23 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Alençon+11 pts | 44.3% | 32.9% | More social housing: Alençon+11 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Caen+2.6 pts | 1.1% | 3.7% | More second homes: Caen+2.6 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Alençon+1.2 pt | 10.1% | 8.9% | More vacant homes: Alençon+1.2 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Alençon+3.1 pts | 55.69% | 52.64% | Higher rate: Alençon+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 | Alençon | Caen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Caen+12% | 21,150 | 23,650 | Higher: Caen+12% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Alençon+5.4 pts | 29.6% | 24.2% | Higher: Alençon+5.4 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Caen+23% | €22,309 | €27,457 | Higher: Caen+23% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Caen+7.4 pts | 37% | 44% | More taxpaying households: Caen+7.4 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Caen+0.2 pt | 67.1% | 67.3% | Higher: Caen+0.2 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Alençon+3.8 pts | 18.8% | 15.0% | Higher: Alençon+3.8 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Alençon | Caen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Sophie Douvry | Aristide Olivier | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| 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 | Alençon | Caen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Alençon+6% | 79.1207 in total | 74.8834 in total | More shops per capita: Alençon+6% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Caen+3% | 22.960 in total | 23.7264 in total | More per capita: Caen+3% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Caen+16% | 38.2100 in total | 44.5496 in total | More per capita: Caen+16% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Alençon+29% | 23.762 in total | 18.4205 in total | More per capita: Alençon+29% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Alençon+83% | 4.612 in total | 2.528 in total | More per capita: Alençon+83% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Caen+45% | 1.95 in total | 2.831 in total | More per capita: Caen+45% |
| Passenger train stationsTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Alençon | Caen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Caen+75% | 3.2 | 5.5 | Better access: Caen+75% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Caen+88% | 8.021 in total | 15.1168 in total | More per capita: Caen+88% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Caen+87% | 21.055 in total | 39.4439 in total | More per capita: Caen+87% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Caen+10% | 8.021 in total | 8.898 in total | More per capita: Caen+10% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Alençon+3% | 3.18 in total | 3.033 in total | More per capita: Alençon+3% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Caen+14 | 5 | 19 | More facilities: Caen+14 |
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 | Alençon | Caen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Caen+23 | 15 | 38 | More schools: Caen+23 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Caen+8 | 8 | 16 | More middle schools: Caen+8 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Caen+14 | 8 | 22 | More high schools: Caen+14 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Caen+41 | 2 | 43 | More facilities: Caen+41 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Alençon | Caen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Alençon+20% | 4.4 | 3.7 | Higher rate: Alençon+20% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Caen+47% | 10.1 | 14.8 | Higher rate: Caen+47% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Tie | 6.0 | 6.0 | Tie |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Caen+10% | 1.3 | 1.4 | Higher rate: Caen+10% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Alençon+72% | 18.8 | 10.9 | Higher rate: Alençon+72% |
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 | Alençon | Caen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Caen+0.2 °C | 11.3°C | 11.5°C | Warmer: Caen+0.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Caen+1% | 1,727 | 1,746 | Sunnier: Caen+1% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Alençon+0.5% | 744 | 740 | Wetter: Alençon+0.5% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Caen+7 days/year | 120 | 126 | More rainy days: Caen+7 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Alençon+15 days/year | 44 | 29 | More frost days: Alençon+15 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Alençon+4 days/year | 8 | 4 | More hot days: Alençon+4 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 | Alençon | Caen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Caen+8 | 10 | 18 | More declarations: Caen+8 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Alençon | Caen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Caen2.4 times as high | 10.7 | 25.7 | Larger: Caen2.4 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Alençon+127 m | 137 m | 10 m | Higher: Alençon+127 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Large urban centre | |
| Department | Orne (61) | Calvados (14) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté urbaine d'Alençon | Communauté urbaine Caen la Mer | |
| Urban unit | Alençon | Caen | |
| Functional area | Alençon | Caen |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Alençon vs Caen at a glance
| Criterion | Alençon | Caen |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 26,175 | 111,546 |
| Change over 10 years | −3.3% | +2.0% |
| Density per km² | 2,451 | 4,340 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,144 | 2,848 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,552 | 3,414 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 10.1 | 13.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 55.69% | 52.64% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 21,150 | 23,650 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 18.8% | 15.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.2 | 5.5 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.4 | 3.7 |
| Average temperature | 11.3°C | 11.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,727 | 1,746 |
| Area km² | 10.7 | 25.7 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Alençon vs Caen: your questions
Which is the larger city, Alençon or Caen?
By population, Caen: 111,546 inhabitants versus 26,175 for Alençon (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Caen is the 38th largest city in France, Alençon the 350th. By area, Caen is also the larger (25.7 km²).
How far is Alençon from Caen?
Alençon and Caen are 90 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Alençon or Caen?
To buy an apartment, Caen is more expensive: €2,848 per m² (median price), versus €1,144 in Alençon (+149%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Alençon or Caen?
In Caen, half of the residents have a standard of living above €23,650 a year, versus €21,150 in Alençon (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Alençon or Caen?
Caen: 1,746 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,727 in Alençon (climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each town).
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures