2026 comparison
Béziers vs Cherbourg-en-Cotentin: 2026 comparison
Béziers has more inhabitants than Cherbourg-en-Cotentin: 82,629 versus 80,317, or 2.9% more. Béziers covers a larger area (95.5 km² versus 68.5 km²), but Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is more densely populated: 1,172 inhabitants per km² versus 865.
The median apartment price is higher in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin: €2,192 per m² versus €1,592. The median standard of living is higher in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (€25,450 a year versus €18,390).
The two cities are 791 km apart as the crow flies.
Béziers
City in Hérault
- Population
- 82,629 inhab.
- 60th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 95.5 km²
- Density
- 865 per km²
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
City in Manche
- Population
- 80,317 inhab.
- 63rd in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 68.5 km²
- Density
- 1,172 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
BéziersCherbourg-en-Cotentin
| Criterion | Béziers | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Béziers+3% | 82,629 | 80,317 | More populous: Béziers+3% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Béziers+6.2 pts | +5.1% | −1.1% | Stronger growth: Béziers+6.2 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Béziers+12 pts | +9.0% | −3.4% | Stronger growth: Béziers+12 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+35% | 865 | 1,172 | Denser: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+35% |
| Under 15More young people: Béziers+2.9 pts | 18.0% | 15.1% | More young people: Béziers+2.9 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Béziers+1.6 pt | 23.5% | 21.9% | More seniors: Béziers+1.6 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Béziers+0.12 | 2.02 | 1.90 | Larger households: Béziers+0.12 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Béziers | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+38% | 1,592 | 2,192 | More expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+38% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+3% | 2,222 | 2,296 | More expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+3% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+13% | 11.2 | 12.6 | More expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+13% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Béziers+8% | 11.3 | 10.5 | More expensive: Béziers+8% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+4.5 pts | 40.1% | 44.6% | More homeowners: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+4.5 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+15 pts | 35.4% | 50.2% | More houses: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+15 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+19 pts | 22.4% | 41.2% | More social housing: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+19 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Béziers+0.7 pt | 4.3% | 3.6% | More second homes: Béziers+0.7 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Béziers+9.7 pts | 15.6% | 5.9% | More vacant homes: Béziers+9.7 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.6 pt | 51.93% | 52.57% | Higher rate: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.6 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 | Béziers | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+38% | 18,390 | 25,450 | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+38% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Béziers+24 pts | 38.8% | 14.9% | Higher: Béziers+24 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+36% | €21,557 | €29,269 | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+36% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+20 pts | 30% | 49% | More taxpaying households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+20 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+12 pts | 63.9% | 75.5% | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+12 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Béziers+11 pts | 22.1% | 11.0% | Higher: Béziers+11 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Béziers | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Robert Ménard | Camille Margueritte | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberTie | 95% | 95% | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Béziers | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Béziers+42% | 94.3779 in total | 66.4533 in total | More shops per capita: Béziers+42% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Béziers+42% | 27.4226 in total | 19.3155 in total | More per capita: Béziers+42% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Béziers2.3 times as high | 51.3424 in total | 22.7182 in total | More per capita: Béziers2.3 times as high |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+40% | 13.9115 in total | 19.4156 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+40% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+23% | 1.815 in total | 2.218 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+23% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+13% | 2.521 in total | 2.923 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+13% |
| 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 | Béziers | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Béziers+6% | 3.6 | 3.4 | Better access: Béziers+6% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Béziers+12% | 9.074 in total | 8.064 in total | More per capita: Béziers+12% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Béziers3.2 times as high | 29.9247 in total | 9.274 in total | More per capita: Béziers3.2 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Béziers2.0 times as high | 9.175 in total | 4.536 in total | More per capita: Béziers2.0 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Béziers+38% | 4.134 in total | 3.024 in total | More per capita: Béziers+38% |
| HospitalsTie | 11 | 11 | 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 | Béziers | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+4 | 43 | 47 | More schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+4 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Béziers+1 | 14 | 13 | More middle schools: Béziers+1 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Béziers+2 | 12 | 10 | More high schools: Béziers+2 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Béziers+2 | 15 | 13 | More facilities: Béziers+2 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Béziers | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Béziers3.6 times as high | 6.5 | 1.8 | Higher rate: Béziers3.6 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Béziers2.2 times as high | 13.9 | 6.3 | Higher rate: Béziers2.2 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Béziers2.3 times as high | 6.5 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Béziers2.3 times as high |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Béziers4.4 times as high | 2.8 | 0.6 | Higher rate: Béziers4.4 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Béziers+38% | 12.5 | 9.0 | Higher rate: Béziers+38% |
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 | Béziers | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Béziers+3.4 °C | 15.5°C | 12.1°C | Warmer: Béziers+3.4 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+65% | 585 | 964 | Wetter: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+65% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+77 days/year | 58 | 135 | More rainy days: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+77 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Béziers+18 days/year | 23 | 5 | More frost days: Béziers+18 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Béziers+52 days/year | 53 | 0 | More hot days: Béziers+52 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 | Béziers | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Béziers+13 | 26 | 13 | More declarations: Béziers+13 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Low | Significant |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Béziers | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Béziers+39% | 95.5 | 68.5 | Larger: Béziers+39% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Béziers+58 m | 64 m | 6 m | Higher: Béziers+58 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Hérault (34) | Manche (50) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération de Béziers-Méditerranée | Communauté d'agglomération du Cotentin | |
| Urban unit | Béziers | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | |
| Functional area | Béziers | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Béziers vs Cherbourg-en-Cotentin at a glance
| Criterion | Béziers | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 82,629 | 80,317 |
| Change over 10 years | +9.0% | −3.4% |
| Density per km² | 865 | 1,172 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,592 | 2,192 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,222 | 2,296 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.2 | 12.6 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 51.93% | 52.57% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 18,390 | 25,450 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 22.1% | 11.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.6 | 3.4 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.5 | 1.8 |
| Average temperature | 15.5°C | 12.1°C |
| Area km² | 95.5 | 68.5 |
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FAQ
Béziers vs Cherbourg-en-Cotentin: your questions
Which is the larger city, Béziers or Cherbourg-en-Cotentin?
By population, Béziers: 82,629 inhabitants versus 80,317 for Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Béziers is the 60th largest city in France, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin the 63rd. By area, Béziers is also the larger (95.5 km²).
How far is Béziers from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin?
Béziers and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin are 791 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Béziers or Cherbourg-en-Cotentin?
To buy an apartment, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is more expensive: €2,192 per m² (median price), versus €1,592 in Béziers (+38%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Béziers or Cherbourg-en-Cotentin?
In Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,450 a year, versus €18,390 in Béziers (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Béziers and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin in the same department?
No: Béziers is in Hérault (34), in the Occitanie region, and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin in Manche (50), in the Normandy region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures