2026 comparison
Besançon vs Boulogne-Billancourt: 2026 comparison
Besançon has more inhabitants than Boulogne-Billancourt: 121,627 versus 120,206, or 1.2% more. Besançon covers a larger area (65.1 km² versus 6.2 km²), but Boulogne-Billancourt is more densely populated: 19,482 inhabitants per km² versus 1,870.
The median apartment price is higher in Boulogne-Billancourt: €8,735 per m² versus €2,177. The median standard of living is higher in Boulogne-Billancourt (€40,000 a year versus €23,240).
The two cities are 330 km apart as the crow flies.
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
Boulogne-Billancourt
City in Hauts-de-Seine
FHauts-de-Seine92Île-de-France
- Population
- 120,206 inhab.
- 34th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 6.2 km²
- Density
- 19,482 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
BesançonBoulogne-Billancourt
| Criterion | Besançon | Boulogne-Billancourt | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Besançon+1% | 121,627 | 120,206 | More populous: Besançon+1% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Besançon+3.4 pts | +1.5% | −1.9% | Stronger growth: Besançon+3.4 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Boulogne-Billancourt+0.6 pt | +1.3% | +1.9% | Stronger growth: Boulogne-Billancourt+0.6 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Boulogne-Billancourt10 times as high | 1,870 | 19,482 | Denser: Boulogne-Billancourt10 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Boulogne-Billancourt+1.4 pt | 14.4% | 15.7% | More young people: Boulogne-Billancourt+1.4 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Besançon+1.4 pt | 18.8% | 17.4% | More seniors: Besançon+1.4 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Boulogne-Billancourt+0.19 | 1.78 | 1.97 | Larger households: Boulogne-Billancourt+0.19 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Besançon | Boulogne-Billancourt | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Boulogne-Billancourt4.0 times as high | 2,177 | 8,735 | More expensive: Boulogne-Billancourt4.0 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Boulogne-Billancourt4.8 times as high | 2,756 | 13,092 | More expensive: Boulogne-Billancourt4.8 times as high |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Boulogne-Billancourt2.3 times as high | 12.9 | 29.7 | More expensive: Boulogne-Billancourt2.3 times as high |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Boulogne-Billancourt2.5 times as high | 11.0 | 27.5 | More expensive: Boulogne-Billancourt2.5 times as high |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Boulogne-Billancourt+8.0 pts | 35.5% | 43.5% | More homeowners: Boulogne-Billancourt+8.0 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Besançon+11 pts | 12.8% | 2.2% | More houses: Besançon+11 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Besançon+17 pts | 32.6% | 16.0% | More social housing: Besançon+17 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Boulogne-Billancourt+3.4 pts | 2.5% | 5.9% | More second homes: Boulogne-Billancourt+3.4 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Besançon+2.3 pts | 9.5% | 7.2% | More vacant homes: Besançon+2.3 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Besançon+30 pts | 45.65% | 15.80% | Higher rate: Besançon+30 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 | Besançon | Boulogne-Billancourt | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Boulogne-Billancourt+72% | 23,240 | 40,000 | Higher: Boulogne-Billancourt+72% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Besançon+14 pts | 24.0% | 10.4% | Higher: Besançon+14 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Boulogne-Billancourt2.5 times as high | €27,048 | €68,518 | Higher: Boulogne-Billancourt2.5 times as high |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Boulogne-Billancourt+23 pts | 45% | 69% | More taxpaying households: Boulogne-Billancourt+23 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Boulogne-Billancourt+12 pts | 69.1% | 81.4% | Higher: Boulogne-Billancourt+12 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Besançon+5.8 pts | 14.5% | 8.7% | Higher: Besançon+5.8 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Besançon | Boulogne-Billancourt | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Ludovic Fagaut | Pierre-Christophe Baguet | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | Les Républicains | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Boulogne-Billancourt+1.3 pt | 96% | 98% | Better covered: Boulogne-Billancourt+1.3 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Besançon | Boulogne-Billancourt | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Besançon+10% | 67.8825 in total | 61.6740 in total | More shops per capita: Besançon+10% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Boulogne-Billancourt+2% | 19.5237 in total | 19.9239 in total | More per capita: Boulogne-Billancourt+2% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Boulogne-Billancourt+32% | 35.6433 in total | 46.9564 in total | More per capita: Boulogne-Billancourt+32% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Besançon+96% | 16.3198 in total | 8.3100 in total | More per capita: Besançon+96% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Besançon+46% | 2.328 in total | 1.619 in total | More per capita: Besançon+46% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Besançon+24% | 2.125 in total | 1.720 in total | More per capita: Besançon+24% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Besançon+2 | 2 | 0 | More stations: Besançon+2 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Besançon | Boulogne-Billancourt | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Besançon+63% | 5.1 | 3.1 | Better access: Besançon+63% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 12.7155 in total | 12.7153 in total | Tie |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Besançon+85% | 46.9570 in total | 25.3304 in total | More per capita: Besançon+85% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Boulogne-Billancourt+71% | 6.984 in total | 11.8142 in total | More per capita: Boulogne-Billancourt+71% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Besançon+16% | 3.340 in total | 2.834 in total | More per capita: Besançon+16% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Besançon+10 | 19 | 9 | More facilities: Besançon+10 |
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 | Besançon | Boulogne-Billancourt | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Besançon+33 | 70 | 37 | More schools: Besançon+33 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Besançon+6 | 16 | 10 | More middle schools: Besançon+6 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Besançon+15 | 23 | 8 | More high schools: Besançon+15 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Besançon+15 | 27 | 12 | More facilities: Besançon+15 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Besançon | Boulogne-Billancourt | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Besançon+11% | 2.8 | 2.6 | Higher rate: Besançon+11% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Boulogne-Billancourt+25% | 11.3 | 14.1 | Higher rate: Boulogne-Billancourt+25% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Besançon3.2 times as high | 5.4 | 1.7 | Higher rate: Besançon3.2 times as high |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Boulogne-Billancourt+35% | 1.4 | 1.9 | Higher rate: Boulogne-Billancourt+35% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Besançon+33% | 10.3 | 7.7 | Higher rate: Besançon+33% |
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 | Besançon | Boulogne-Billancourt | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Boulogne-Billancourt+0.9 °C | 11.4°C | 12.3°C | Warmer: Boulogne-Billancourt+0.9 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Besançon+9% | 1,873 | 1,717 | Sunnier: Besançon+9% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Besançon2.0 times as high | 1,157 | 571 | Wetter: Besançon2.0 times as high |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Besançon+31 days/year | 136 | 106 | More rainy days: Besançon+31 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Besançon+14 days/year | 58 | 43 | More frost days: Besançon+14 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Boulogne-Billancourt+1 days/year | 15 | 16 | More hot days: Boulogne-Billancourt+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 | Besançon | Boulogne-Billancourt | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Besançon+9 | 16 | 7 | More declarations: Besançon+9 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Besançon | Boulogne-Billancourt | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Besançon11 times as high | 65.1 | 6.17 | Larger: Besançon11 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Besançon+212 m | 246 m | 35 m | Higher: Besançon+212 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Doubs (25) | Hauts-de-Seine (92) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté urbaine Grand Besançon Métropole | Métropole du Grand Paris | |
| Urban unit | Besançon | Paris | |
| Functional area | Besançon | Paris |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Besançon vs Boulogne-Billancourt at a glance
| Criterion | Besançon | Boulogne-Billancourt |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 121,627 | 120,206 |
| Change over 10 years | +1.3% | +1.9% |
| Density per km² | 1,870 | 19,482 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,177 | 8,735 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,756 | 13,092 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.9 | 29.7 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 45.65% | 15.80% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 23,240 | 40,000 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 14.5% | 8.7% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.1 | 3.1 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 2.8 | 2.6 |
| Average temperature | 11.4°C | 12.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,873 | 1,717 |
| Area km² | 65.1 | 6.17 |
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FAQ
Besançon vs Boulogne-Billancourt: your questions
Which is the larger city, Besançon or Boulogne-Billancourt?
By population, Besançon: 121,627 inhabitants versus 120,206 for Boulogne-Billancourt (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Besançon is the 33rd largest city in France, Boulogne-Billancourt the 34th. By area, Besançon is also the larger (65.1 km²).
How far is Besançon from Boulogne-Billancourt?
Besançon and Boulogne-Billancourt are 330 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Besançon or Boulogne-Billancourt?
To buy an apartment, Boulogne-Billancourt is more expensive: €8,735 per m² (median price), versus €2,177 in Besançon (+301%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Besançon or Boulogne-Billancourt?
In Boulogne-Billancourt, half of the residents have a standard of living above €40,000 a year, versus €23,240 in Besançon (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Besançon or Boulogne-Billancourt?
Besançon: 1,873 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,717 in Boulogne-Billancourt (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