2026 comparison
Alès vs Castelnau-le-Lez: 2026 comparison
Alès has more inhabitants than Castelnau-le-Lez: 46,632 versus 26,449, or 76% more. Alès covers a larger area (23.2 km² versus 11.2 km²), but Castelnau-le-Lez is more densely populated: 2,366 inhabitants per km² versus 2,013.
The median apartment price is higher in Castelnau-le-Lez: €3,829 per m² versus €1,384. The median standard of living is higher in Castelnau-le-Lez (€28,200 a year versus €20,260).
The two cities are 56 km apart as the crow flies.
Alès
City in Gard
- Population
- 46,632 inhab.
- 154th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 23.2 km²
- Density
- 2,013 per km²
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Castelnau-le-Lez
City in Hérault
- Population
- 26,449 inhab.
- 349th in France · 6th in its department
- Area
- 11.2 km²
- Density
- 2,366 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
AlèsCastelnau-le-Lez
| Criterion | Alès | Castelnau-le-Lez | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Alès+76% | 46,632 | 26,449 | More populous: Alès+76% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Castelnau-le-Lez+6.3 pts | +13.0% | +19.3% | Stronger growth: Castelnau-le-Lez+6.3 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Castelnau-le-Lez+33 pts | +13.3% | +46.1% | Stronger growth: Castelnau-le-Lez+33 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Castelnau-le-Lez+17% | 2,013 | 2,366 | Denser: Castelnau-le-Lez+17% |
| Under 15More young people: Alès+1.1 pt | 15.2% | 14.1% | More young people: Alès+1.1 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Alès+7.6 pts | 26.8% | 19.2% | More seniors: Alès+7.6 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Alès+0.02 | 1.90 | 1.88 | Larger households: Alès+0.02 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Alès | Castelnau-le-Lez | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez2.8 times as high | 1,384 | 3,829 | More expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez2.8 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez2.2 times as high | 2,098 | 4,666 | More expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez2.2 times as high |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez+55% | 10.4 | 16.1 | More expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez+55% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez+68% | 9.3 | 15.7 | More expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez+68% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Castelnau-le-Lez+7.4 pts | 38.8% | 46.2% | More homeowners: Castelnau-le-Lez+7.4 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Alès+2.7 pts | 36.8% | 34.2% | More houses: Alès+2.7 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Alès+18 pts | 37.3% | 19.6% | More social housing: Alès+18 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Castelnau-le-Lez+1.8 pt | 1.1% | 2.9% | More second homes: Castelnau-le-Lez+1.8 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Alès+1.7 pt | 6.8% | 5.1% | More vacant homes: Alès+1.7 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Alès+4.6 pts | 60.37% | 55.76% | Higher rate: Alès+4.6 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 | Alès | Castelnau-le-Lez | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Castelnau-le-Lez+39% | 20,260 | 28,200 | Higher: Castelnau-le-Lez+39% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Alès+17 pts | 31.4% | 14.7% | Higher: Alès+17 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Castelnau-le-Lez+91% | €21,053 | €40,251 | Higher: Castelnau-le-Lez+91% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Castelnau-le-Lez+23 pts | 31% | 55% | More taxpaying households: Castelnau-le-Lez+23 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Castelnau-le-Lez+17 pts | 61.5% | 78.9% | Higher: Castelnau-le-Lez+17 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Alès+13 pts | 23.0% | 10.4% | Higher: Alès+13 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Alès | Castelnau-le-Lez | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Christophe Rivenq | Julien Miro | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Castelnau-le-Lez+0.7 pt | 95% | 96% | Better covered: Castelnau-le-Lez+0.7 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Alès | Castelnau-le-Lez | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Alès2.2 times as high | 105.1490 in total | 48.4128 in total | More shops per capita: Alès2.2 times as high |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Alès+36% | 24.2113 in total | 17.847 in total | More per capita: Alès+36% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Alès+13% | 42.2197 in total | 37.499 in total | More per capita: Alès+13% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Alès+64% | 22.3104 in total | 13.636 in total | More per capita: Alès+64% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Alès5.7 times as high | 2.110 in total | 0.41 in total | More per capita: Alès5.7 times as high |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Alès+42% | 1.15 in total | 0.82 in total | More per capita: Alès+42% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Alès+1 | 1 | 0 | More stations: Alès+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Alès | Castelnau-le-Lez | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Castelnau-le-Lez+93% | 3.2 | 6.1 | Better access: Castelnau-le-Lez+93% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Castelnau-le-Lez3.4 times as high | 6.932 in total | 23.462 in total | More per capita: Castelnau-le-Lez3.4 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Castelnau-le-Lez2.2 times as high | 33.5156 in total | 72.2191 in total | More per capita: Castelnau-le-Lez2.2 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Castelnau-le-Lez+68% | 8.841 in total | 14.739 in total | More per capita: Castelnau-le-Lez+68% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Alès+70% | 3.918 in total | 2.36 in total | More per capita: Alès+70% |
| HospitalsTie | 6 | 6 | Tie |
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 | Alès | Castelnau-le-Lez | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Alès+15 | 27 | 12 | More schools: Alès+15 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Alès+9 | 11 | 2 | More middle schools: Alès+9 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Alès+3 | 6 | 3 | More high schools: Alès+3 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Alès+1 | 3 | 2 | More facilities: Alès+1 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Alès | Castelnau-le-Lez | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Castelnau-le-Lez+27% | 6.1 | 7.8 | Higher rate: Castelnau-le-Lez+27% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Alès+6% | 10.3 | 9.8 | Higher rate: Alès+6% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Alès2.5 times as high | 5.5 | 2.2 | Higher rate: Alès2.5 times as high |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Castelnau-le-Lez+26% | 1.9 | 2.4 | Higher rate: Castelnau-le-Lez+26% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Alès+88% | 11.8 | 6.3 | Higher rate: Alès+88% |
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 | Alès | Castelnau-le-Lez | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Castelnau-le-Lez+0.5 °C | 15.0°C | 15.5°C | Warmer: Castelnau-le-Lez+0.5 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,705 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Alès+64% | 1,047 | 639 | Wetter: Alès+64% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Alès+20 days/year | 77 | 58 | More rainy days: Alès+20 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Alès+22 days/year | 44 | 21 | More frost days: Alès+22 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Alès+37 days/year | 71 | 34 | More hot days: Alès+37 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 | Alès | Castelnau-le-Lez | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982Tie | 20 | 20 | Tie |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low, with aggravating factors |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Alès | Castelnau-le-Lez | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Alès2.1 times as high | 23.2 | 11.2 | Larger: Alès2.1 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Alès+96 m | 136 m | 40 m | Higher: Alès+96 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Large urban centre | |
| Department | Gard (30) | Hérault (34) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Alès Agglomération | Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Alès | Montpellier | |
| Functional area | Alès | Montpellier |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Alès vs Castelnau-le-Lez at a glance
| Criterion | Alès | Castelnau-le-Lez |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 46,632 | 26,449 |
| Change over 10 years | +13.3% | +46.1% |
| Density per km² | 2,013 | 2,366 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,384 | 3,829 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,098 | 4,666 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 10.4 | 16.1 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 60.37% | 55.76% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 20,260 | 28,200 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 23.0% | 10.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.2 | 6.1 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.1 | 7.8 |
| Average temperature | 15.0°C | 15.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,705 |
| Area km² | 23.2 | 11.2 |
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FAQ
Alès vs Castelnau-le-Lez: your questions
Which is the larger city, Alès or Castelnau-le-Lez?
By population, Alès: 46,632 inhabitants versus 26,449 for Castelnau-le-Lez (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Alès is the 154th largest city in France, Castelnau-le-Lez the 349th. By area, Alès is also the larger (23.2 km²).
How far is Alès from Castelnau-le-Lez?
Alès and Castelnau-le-Lez are 56 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Alès or Castelnau-le-Lez?
To buy an apartment, Castelnau-le-Lez is more expensive: €3,829 per m² (median price), versus €1,384 in Alès (+177%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Alès or Castelnau-le-Lez?
In Castelnau-le-Lez, half of the residents have a standard of living above €28,200 a year, versus €20,260 in Alès (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Alès and Castelnau-le-Lez in the same department?
No: Alès is in Gard (30), and Castelnau-le-Lez in Hérault (34), both in the Occitanie region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures