2026 comparison
Belfort vs Besançon: 2026 comparison
Besançon has more inhabitants than Belfort: 121,627 versus 46,662, or 2.6 times as many. Besançon covers a larger area (65.1 km² versus 17.1 km²), but Belfort is more densely populated: 2,729 inhabitants per km² versus 1,870.
The median apartment price is higher in Besançon: €2,177 per m² versus €1,267. The median standard of living is higher in Besançon (€23,240 a year versus €20,930).
The two cities are 76 km apart as the crow flies.
Belfort
City in Territoire de Belfort
FTerritoire de Belfort90Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
- Population
- 46,662 inhab.
- 153rd in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 17.1 km²
- Density
- 2,729 per km²
Besançon
City in Doubs
FDoubs25Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
- Population
- 121,627 inhab.
- 33rd in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 65.1 km²
- Density
- 1,870 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
BelfortBesançon
| Criterion | Belfort | Besançon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Besançon2.6 times as high | 46,662 | 121,627 | More populous: Besançon2.6 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Besançon+3.7 pts | −2.2% | +1.5% | Stronger growth: Besançon+3.7 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Besançon+9.8 pts | −8.5% | +1.3% | Stronger growth: Besançon+9.8 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Belfort+46% | 2,729 | 1,870 | Denser: Belfort+46% |
| Under 15More young people: Belfort+2.5 pts | 16.9% | 14.4% | More young people: Belfort+2.5 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Besançon+0.4 pt | 18.4% | 18.8% | More seniors: Besançon+0.4 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Belfort+0.11 | 1.89 | 1.78 | Larger households: Belfort+0.11 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Belfort | Besançon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Besançon+72% | 1,267 | 2,177 | More expensive: Besançon+72% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Besançon+61% | 1,707 | 2,756 | More expensive: Besançon+61% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Besançon+23% | 10.4 | 12.9 | More expensive: Besançon+23% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Besançon+4% | 10.6 | 11.0 | More expensive: Besançon+4% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Besançon+3.6 pts | 32.0% | 35.5% | More homeowners: Besançon+3.6 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Besançon+0.0 pt | 12.7% | 12.8% | More houses: Besançon+0.0 pt |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Belfort+10 pts | 42.8% | 32.6% | More social housing: Belfort+10 pts |
| Second homesTie | 2.5% | 2.5% | Tie |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Belfort+3.1 pts | 12.6% | 9.5% | More vacant homes: Belfort+3.1 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Besançon+1.4 pt | 44.23% | 45.65% | Higher rate: Besançon+1.4 pt |
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 | Belfort | Besançon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Besançon+11% | 20,930 | 23,240 | Higher: Besançon+11% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Belfort+6.3 pts | 30.3% | 24.0% | Higher: Belfort+6.3 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Besançon+11% | €24,318 | €27,048 | Higher: Besançon+11% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Besançon+5.9 pts | 39% | 45% | More taxpaying households: Besançon+5.9 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Belfort+1.0 pt | 70.0% | 69.1% | Higher: Belfort+1.0 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Belfort+4.7 pts | 19.1% | 14.5% | Higher: Belfort+4.7 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Belfort | Besançon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Damien Meslot | Ludovic Fagaut | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | Les Républicains | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Besançon+1.5 pt | 95% | 96% | Better covered: Besançon+1.5 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Belfort | Besançon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Besançon+0.8% | 67.3314 in total | 67.8825 in total | More shops per capita: Besançon+0.8% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Belfort+1% | 19.792 in total | 19.5237 in total | More per capita: Belfort+1% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Belfort+11% | 39.4184 in total | 35.6433 in total | More per capita: Belfort+11% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Belfort+75% | 28.5133 in total | 16.3198 in total | More per capita: Belfort+75% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Belfort+21% | 2.813 in total | 2.328 in total | More per capita: Belfort+21% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Belfort+36% | 2.813 in total | 2.125 in total | More per capita: Belfort+36% |
| 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 | Belfort | Besançon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Besançon+60% | 3.2 | 5.1 | Better access: Besançon+60% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Besançon+49% | 8.640 in total | 12.7155 in total | More per capita: Besançon+49% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Besançon+34% | 34.9163 in total | 46.9570 in total | More per capita: Besançon+34% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 6.932 in total | 6.984 in total | Tie |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Belfort+24% | 4.119 in total | 3.340 in total | More per capita: Belfort+24% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Besançon+15 | 4 | 19 | More facilities: Besançon+15 |
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 | Belfort | Besançon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Besançon+40 | 30 | 70 | More schools: Besançon+40 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Besançon+7 | 9 | 16 | More middle schools: Besançon+7 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Besançon+15 | 8 | 23 | More high schools: Besançon+15 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Besançon+20 | 7 | 27 | More facilities: Besançon+20 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Belfort | Besançon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Besançon+39% | 2.0 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Besançon+39% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Besançon+13% | 10.0 | 11.3 | Higher rate: Besançon+13% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Besançon+8% | 5.1 | 5.4 | Higher rate: Besançon+8% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Besançon+83% | 0.8 | 1.4 | Higher rate: Besançon+83% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Belfort+16% | 12.0 | 10.3 | Higher rate: Belfort+16% |
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 | Belfort | Besançon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Besançon+0.5 °C | 10.9°C | 11.4°C | Warmer: Besançon+0.5 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,873 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Besançon+19% | 974 | 1,157 | Wetter: Besançon+19% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Besançon+7 days/year | 129 | 136 | More rainy days: Besançon+7 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Belfort+4 days/year | 62 | 58 | More frost days: Belfort+4 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Belfort+1 days/year | 16 | 15 | More hot days: Belfort+1 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 | Belfort | Besançon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Besançon+3 | 13 | 16 | More declarations: Besançon+3 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Belfort | Besançon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Besançon3.8 times as high | 17.1 | 65.1 | Larger: Besançon3.8 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Belfort+113 m | 359 m | 246 m | Higher: Belfort+113 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Territoire de Belfort (90) | Doubs (25) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Grand Belfort | Communauté urbaine Grand Besançon Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Belfort | Besançon | |
| Functional area | Belfort | Besançon |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Belfort vs Besançon at a glance
| Criterion | Belfort | Besançon |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 46,662 | 121,627 |
| Change over 10 years | −8.5% | +1.3% |
| Density per km² | 2,729 | 1,870 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,267 | 2,177 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,707 | 2,756 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 10.4 | 12.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 44.23% | 45.65% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 20,930 | 23,240 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 19.1% | 14.5% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.2 | 5.1 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 2.0 | 2.8 |
| Average temperature | 10.9°C | 11.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,873 |
| Area km² | 17.1 | 65.1 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Belfort vs Besançon: your questions
Which is the larger city, Belfort or Besançon?
By population, Besançon: 121,627 inhabitants versus 46,662 for Belfort (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Besançon is the 33rd largest city in France, Belfort the 153rd. By area, Besançon is also the larger (65.1 km²).
How far is Belfort from Besançon?
Belfort and Besançon are 76 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Belfort or Besançon?
To buy an apartment, Besançon is more expensive: €2,177 per m² (median price), versus €1,267 in Belfort (+72%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Belfort or Besançon?
In Besançon, half of the residents have a standard of living above €23,240 a year, versus €20,930 in Belfort (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Belfort and Besançon in the same department?
No: Belfort is in Territoire de Belfort (90), and Besançon in Doubs (25), both in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures