2026 comparison
Béziers vs Rueil-Malmaison: 2026 comparison
Rueil-Malmaison has more inhabitants than Béziers: 84,409 versus 82,629, or 2.2% more. Béziers covers a larger area (95.5 km² versus 14.7 km²), but Rueil-Malmaison is more densely populated: 5,742 inhabitants per km² versus 865.
The median apartment price is higher in Rueil-Malmaison: €5,917 per m² versus €1,592. The median standard of living is higher in Rueil-Malmaison (€37,730 a year versus €18,390).
The two cities are 620 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
Rueil-Malmaison
City in Hauts-de-Seine
FHauts-de-Seine92Île-de-France
- Population
- 84,409 inhab.
- 57th in France · 5th in its department
- Area
- 14.7 km²
- Density
- 5,742 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
BéziersRueil-Malmaison
| Criterion | Béziers | Rueil-Malmaison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Rueil-Malmaison+2% | 82,629 | 84,409 | More populous: Rueil-Malmaison+2% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Rueil-Malmaison+1.2 pt | +5.1% | +6.3% | Stronger growth: Rueil-Malmaison+1.2 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Béziers+5.1 pts | +9.0% | +3.9% | Stronger growth: Béziers+5.1 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Rueil-Malmaison6.6 times as high | 865 | 5,742 | Denser: Rueil-Malmaison6.6 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Rueil-Malmaison+0.9 pt | 18.0% | 18.9% | More young people: Rueil-Malmaison+0.9 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Béziers+6.5 pts | 23.5% | 17.0% | More seniors: Béziers+6.5 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Rueil-Malmaison+0.21 | 2.02 | 2.23 | Larger households: Rueil-Malmaison+0.21 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Béziers | Rueil-Malmaison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Rueil-Malmaison3.7 times as high | 1,592 | 5,917 | More expensive: Rueil-Malmaison3.7 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Rueil-Malmaison3.6 times as high | 2,222 | 8,003 | More expensive: Rueil-Malmaison3.6 times as high |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Rueil-Malmaison2.2 times as high | 11.2 | 24.5 | More expensive: Rueil-Malmaison2.2 times as high |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Rueil-Malmaison2.3 times as high | 11.3 | 25.7 | More expensive: Rueil-Malmaison2.3 times as high |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Rueil-Malmaison+11 pts | 40.1% | 51.4% | More homeowners: Rueil-Malmaison+11 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Béziers+15 pts | 35.4% | 20.8% | More houses: Béziers+15 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Rueil-Malmaison+2.7 pts | 22.4% | 25.1% | More social housing: Rueil-Malmaison+2.7 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Béziers+2.2 pts | 4.3% | 2.1% | More second homes: Béziers+2.2 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Béziers+8.6 pts | 15.6% | 7.1% | More vacant homes: Béziers+8.6 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Béziers+29 pts | 51.93% | 22.90% | Higher rate: Béziers+29 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 | Béziers | Rueil-Malmaison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Rueil-Malmaison2.1 times as high | 18,390 | 37,730 | Higher: Rueil-Malmaison2.1 times as high |
| Poverty rateHigher: Béziers+30 pts | 38.8% | 9.3% | Higher: Béziers+30 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Rueil-Malmaison2.9 times as high | €21,557 | €62,176 | Higher: Rueil-Malmaison2.9 times as high |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Rueil-Malmaison+39 pts | 30% | 69% | More taxpaying households: Rueil-Malmaison+39 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Rueil-Malmaison+17 pts | 63.9% | 80.8% | Higher: Rueil-Malmaison+17 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Béziers+13 pts | 22.1% | 8.7% | Higher: Béziers+13 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Béziers | Rueil-Malmaison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Robert Ménard | Patrick Ollier | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | union of the right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Rueil-Malmaison+2.8 pts | 95% | 98% | Better covered: Rueil-Malmaison+2.8 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Béziers | Rueil-Malmaison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Béziers2.3 times as high | 94.3779 in total | 41.5350 in total | More shops per capita: Béziers2.3 times as high |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Béziers+92% | 27.4226 in total | 14.2120 in total | More per capita: Béziers+92% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Béziers2.1 times as high | 51.3424 in total | 24.9210 in total | More per capita: Béziers2.1 times as high |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Rueil-Malmaison+26% | 13.9115 in total | 17.5148 in total | More per capita: Rueil-Malmaison+26% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Béziers+9% | 1.815 in total | 1.714 in total | More per capita: Béziers+9% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Béziers+95% | 2.521 in total | 1.311 in total | More per capita: Béziers+95% |
| 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 | Rueil-Malmaison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Béziers+39% | 3.6 | 2.6 | Better access: Béziers+39% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Béziers+57% | 9.074 in total | 5.748 in total | More per capita: Béziers+57% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Béziers2.0 times as high | 29.9247 in total | 14.7124 in total | More per capita: Béziers2.0 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Béziers+18% | 9.175 in total | 7.765 in total | More per capita: Béziers+18% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Béziers+51% | 4.134 in total | 2.723 in total | More per capita: Béziers+51% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Béziers+6 | 11 | 5 | More facilities: Béziers+6 |
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 | Rueil-Malmaison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Béziers+15 | 43 | 28 | More schools: Béziers+15 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Béziers+2 | 14 | 12 | More middle schools: Béziers+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Béziers+5 | 12 | 7 | More high schools: Béziers+5 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Béziers+10 | 15 | 5 | More facilities: Béziers+10 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Béziers | Rueil-Malmaison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Rueil-Malmaison+1% | 6.5 | 6.6 | Higher rate: Rueil-Malmaison+1% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Béziers+30% | 13.9 | 10.7 | Higher rate: Béziers+30% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Béziers4.1 times as high | 6.5 | 1.6 | Higher rate: Béziers4.1 times as high |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Béziers+98% | 2.8 | 1.4 | Higher rate: Béziers+98% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Béziers+80% | 12.5 | 6.9 | Higher rate: Béziers+80% |
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 | Rueil-Malmaison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Béziers+3.2 °C | 15.5°C | 12.3°C | Warmer: Béziers+3.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,717 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Béziers+2% | 585 | 571 | Wetter: Béziers+2% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Rueil-Malmaison+48 days/year | 58 | 106 | More rainy days: Rueil-Malmaison+48 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Rueil-Malmaison+21 days/year | 23 | 43 | More frost days: Rueil-Malmaison+21 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Béziers+37 days/year | 53 | 16 | More hot days: Béziers+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 | Béziers | Rueil-Malmaison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Béziers+8 | 26 | 18 | More declarations: Béziers+8 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Rueil-Malmaison+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Rueil-Malmaison+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Béziers | Rueil-Malmaison | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Béziers6.5 times as high | 95.5 | 14.7 | Larger: Béziers6.5 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Béziers+33 m | 64 m | 32 m | Higher: Béziers+33 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Hérault (34) | Hauts-de-Seine (92) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération de Béziers-Méditerranée | Métropole du Grand Paris | |
| Urban unit | Béziers | Paris | |
| Functional area | Béziers | Paris |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Béziers vs Rueil-Malmaison at a glance
| Criterion | Béziers | Rueil-Malmaison |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 82,629 | 84,409 |
| Change over 10 years | +9.0% | +3.9% |
| Density per km² | 865 | 5,742 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,592 | 5,917 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,222 | 8,003 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.2 | 24.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 51.93% | 22.90% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 18,390 | 37,730 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 22.1% | 8.7% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.6 | 2.6 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.5 | 6.6 |
| Average temperature | 15.5°C | 12.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,717 |
| Area km² | 95.5 | 14.7 |
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FAQ
Béziers vs Rueil-Malmaison: your questions
Which is the larger city, Béziers or Rueil-Malmaison?
By population, Rueil-Malmaison: 84,409 inhabitants versus 82,629 for Béziers (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Rueil-Malmaison is the 57th largest city in France, Béziers the 60th. By area, Béziers is the larger (95.5 km²).
How far is Béziers from Rueil-Malmaison?
Béziers and Rueil-Malmaison are 620 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Béziers or Rueil-Malmaison?
To buy an apartment, Rueil-Malmaison is more expensive: €5,917 per m² (median price), versus €1,592 in Béziers (+272%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Béziers or Rueil-Malmaison?
In Rueil-Malmaison, half of the residents have a standard of living above €37,730 a year, versus €18,390 in Béziers (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Béziers and Rueil-Malmaison in the same department?
No: Béziers is in Hérault (34), in the Occitanie region, and Rueil-Malmaison in Hauts-de-Seine (92), in the Île-de-France region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures