2026 comparison
Amiens vs Metz: 2026 comparison
Amiens has more inhabitants than Metz: 139,183 versus 124,396, or 12% more. Amiens covers a larger area (49.5 km² versus 41.9 km²), but Metz is more densely populated: 2,966 inhabitants per km² versus 2,814.
The median standard of living is higher in Metz (€23,070 a year versus €21,400).
The two cities are 296 km apart as the crow flies.
Amiens
City in Somme
- Population
- 139,183 inhab.
- 28th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 49.5 km²
- Density
- 2,814 per km²
Metz
City in Moselle
- Population
- 124,396 inhab.
- 31st in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 41.9 km²
- Density
- 2,966 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
AmiensMetz
| Criterion | Amiens | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Amiens+12% | 139,183 | 124,396 | More populous: Amiens+12% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Metz+3.2 pts | +1.9% | +5.1% | Stronger growth: Metz+3.2 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Metz+0.5 pt | +2.8% | +3.3% | Stronger growth: Metz+0.5 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Metz+5% | 2,814 | 2,966 | Denser: Metz+5% |
| Under 15More young people: Amiens+1.1 pt | 16.2% | 15.0% | More young people: Amiens+1.1 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Metz+1.3 pt | 16.2% | 17.5% | More seniors: Metz+1.3 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Amiens+0.03 | 1.91 | 1.88 | Larger households: Amiens+0.03 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Amiens | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,656 | not covered | |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,322 | not covered | |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedTie | 13.4 | 13.4 | Tie |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Metz+4% | 12.5 | 12.9 | More expensive: Metz+4% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Metz+2.6 pts | 30.8% | 33.4% | More homeowners: Metz+2.6 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Amiens+21 pts | 33.7% | 12.8% | More houses: Amiens+21 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Metz+2.8 pts | 37.5% | 40.3% | More social housing: Metz+2.8 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Amiens+0.1 pt | 2.8% | 2.7% | More second homes: Amiens+0.1 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Metz+1.7 pt | 9.3% | 11.0% | More vacant homes: Metz+1.7 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Amiens+18 pts | 56.00% | 38.40% | Higher rate: Amiens+18 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 | Amiens | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Metz+8% | 21,400 | 23,070 | Higher: Metz+8% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Amiens+2.9 pts | 29.3% | 26.4% | Higher: Amiens+2.9 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Metz+12% | €24,991 | €28,019 | Higher: Metz+12% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Metz+2.7 pts | 39% | 42% | More taxpaying households: Metz+2.7 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Metz+4.6 pts | 67.1% | 71.7% | Higher: Metz+4.6 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Amiens+4.4 pts | 18.8% | 14.3% | Higher: Amiens+4.4 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Amiens | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Frédéric Fauvet | François Grosdidier | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the left | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Amiens+2.3 pts | 98% | 95% | Better covered: Amiens+2.3 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Amiens | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Metz+39% | 54.3756 in total | 75.6940 in total | More shops per capita: Metz+39% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+27% | 16.7232 in total | 21.1263 in total | More per capita: Metz+27% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+46% | 32.2448 in total | 47.0585 in total | More per capita: Metz+46% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+23% | 19.7274 in total | 24.2301 in total | More per capita: Metz+23% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Amiens+12% | 2.230 in total | 1.924 in total | More per capita: Amiens+12% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+44% | 1.521 in total | 2.227 in total | More per capita: Metz+44% |
| Passenger train stationsTie | 2 | 2 | Tie |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Amiens | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Amiens+13% | 5.9 | 5.3 | Better access: Amiens+13% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Amiens+11% | 12.6176 in total | 11.4142 in total | More per capita: Amiens+11% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+48% | 26.8373 in total | 39.7494 in total | More per capita: Metz+48% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz2.2 times as high | 5.070 in total | 11.3140 in total | More per capita: Metz2.2 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Amiens+5% | 3.346 in total | 3.139 in total | More per capita: Amiens+5% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Amiens+5 | 18 | 13 | More facilities: Amiens+5 |
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 | Amiens | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Amiens+23 | 86 | 63 | More schools: Amiens+23 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Amiens+3 | 21 | 18 | More middle schools: Amiens+3 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Amiens+10 | 27 | 17 | More high schools: Amiens+10 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Metz+13 | 37 | 50 | More facilities: Metz+13 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Amiens | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Metz2.7 times as high | 2.1 | 5.7 | Higher rate: Metz2.7 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Amiens+8% | 16.5 | 15.3 | Higher rate: Amiens+8% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Metz+14% | 5.3 | 6.0 | Higher rate: Metz+14% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Amiens+20% | 1.7 | 1.4 | Higher rate: Amiens+20% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Amiens+35% | 15.0 | 11.1 | Higher rate: Amiens+35% |
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 | Amiens | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureTie | 11.1°C | 11.1°C | Tie |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Metz+4% | 1,761 | 1,833 | Sunnier: Metz+4% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Metz+10% | 647 | 714 | Wetter: Metz+10% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Metz+3 days/year | 115 | 118 | More rainy days: Metz+3 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Metz+16 days/year | 45 | 61 | More frost days: Metz+16 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Metz+8 days/year | 8 | 16 | More hot days: Metz+8 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 | Amiens | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Metz+17 | 14 | 31 | More declarations: Metz+17 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Amiens | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Amiens+18% | 49.5 | 41.9 | Larger: Amiens+18% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Metz+148 m | 33 m | 181 m | Higher: Metz+148 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Somme (80) | Moselle (57) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Amiens Métropole | Metz Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Amiens | Metz | |
| Functional area | Amiens | Metz |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Amiens vs Metz at a glance
| Criterion | Amiens | Metz |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 139,183 | 124,396 |
| Change over 10 years | +2.8% | +3.3% |
| Density per km² | 2,814 | 2,966 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,656 | not covered |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,322 | not covered |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.4 | 13.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 56.00% | 38.40% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 21,400 | 23,070 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 18.8% | 14.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.9 | 5.3 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 2.1 | 5.7 |
| Average temperature | 11.1°C | 11.1°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,761 | 1,833 |
| Area km² | 49.5 | 41.9 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Amiens vs Metz: your questions
Which is the larger city, Amiens or Metz?
By population, Amiens: 139,183 inhabitants versus 124,396 for Metz (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Amiens is the 28th largest city in France, Metz the 31st. By area, Amiens is also the larger (49.5 km²).
How far is Amiens from Metz?
Amiens and Metz are 296 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is the standard of living higher, in Amiens or Metz?
In Metz, half of the residents have a standard of living above €23,070 a year, versus €21,400 in Amiens (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Amiens or Metz?
Metz: 1,833 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,761 in Amiens (climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each town).
Are Amiens and Metz in the same department?
No: Amiens is in Somme (80), in the Hauts-de-France region, and Metz in Moselle (57), in the Grand Est region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures