2026 comparison
Bordeaux vs Pessac: 2026 comparison
Bordeaux has more inhabitants than Pessac: 271,552 versus 68,102, or 4.0 times as many. Bordeaux is both larger (49.4 km² versus 38.8 km²) and more densely populated (5,501 inhabitants per km² versus 1,754).
The median apartment price is higher in Bordeaux: €4,375 per m² versus €3,569. The median standard of living is higher in Pessac (€28,840 a year versus €27,590).
The two cities are 11 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department and the same urban unit (Bordeaux).
Bordeaux
City in Gironde
- Population
- 271,552 inhab.
- 9th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 49.4 km²
- Density
- 5,501 per km²
© Symac / Sylvain Machefert, CC BY-SA 3.0
Pessac
City in Gironde
- Population
- 68,102 inhab.
- 78th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 38.8 km²
- Density
- 1,754 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
BordeauxPessac
| Criterion | Bordeaux | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Bordeaux4.0 times as high | 271,552 | 68,102 | More populous: Bordeaux4.0 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Pessac+0.4 pt | +4.2% | +4.6% | Stronger growth: Pessac+0.4 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Pessac+0.8 pt | +10.0% | +10.8% | Stronger growth: Pessac+0.8 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Bordeaux3.1 times as high | 5,501 | 1,754 | Denser: Bordeaux3.1 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Pessac+2.0 pt | 13.4% | 15.4% | More young people: Pessac+2.0 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Pessac+2.6 pts | 15.0% | 17.6% | More seniors: Pessac+2.6 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Pessac+0.25 | 1.77 | 2.02 | Larger households: Pessac+0.25 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Bordeaux | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Bordeaux+23% | 4,375 | 3,569 | More expensive: Bordeaux+23% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Bordeaux+26% | 5,148 | 4,096 | More expensive: Bordeaux+26% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Bordeaux+5% | 16.0 | 15.3 | More expensive: Bordeaux+5% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Bordeaux+8% | 15.5 | 14.3 | More expensive: Bordeaux+8% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Pessac+14 pts | 33.0% | 46.8% | More homeowners: Pessac+14 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Pessac+25 pts | 20.3% | 45.6% | More houses: Pessac+25 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Pessac+11 pts | 20.4% | 31.8% | More social housing: Pessac+11 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Bordeaux+4.2 pts | 6.9% | 2.7% | More second homes: Bordeaux+4.2 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Bordeaux+3.0 pts | 6.8% | 3.7% | More vacant homes: Bordeaux+3.0 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Bordeaux+1.1 pt | 49.54% | 48.44% | Higher rate: Bordeaux+1.1 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 | Bordeaux | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Pessac+5% | 27,590 | 28,840 | Higher: Pessac+5% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Bordeaux+4.1 pts | 18.9% | 14.8% | Higher: Bordeaux+4.1 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Bordeaux+0.9% | €36,660 | €36,348 | Higher: Bordeaux+0.9% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Pessac+2.1 pts | 52% | 54% | More taxpaying households: Pessac+2.1 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Bordeaux+3.4 pts | 74.3% | 70.9% | Higher: Bordeaux+3.4 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Bordeaux+0.2 pt | 11.8% | 11.7% | Higher: Bordeaux+0.2 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Bordeaux | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Thomas Cazenave | Franck Raynal | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the centre | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Pessac+2.0 pt | 96% | 98% | Better covered: Pessac+2.0 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Bordeaux | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Bordeaux2.4 times as high | 86.82,356 in total | 35.5242 in total | More shops per capita: Bordeaux2.4 times as high |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bordeaux2.1 times as high | 24.7671 in total | 12.082 in total | More per capita: Bordeaux2.1 times as high |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bordeaux3.0 times as high | 72.41,965 in total | 24.4166 in total | More per capita: Bordeaux3.0 times as high |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pessac+25% | 7.4201 in total | 9.363 in total | More per capita: Pessac+25% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bordeaux+29% | 1.541 in total | 1.28 in total | More per capita: Bordeaux+29% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bordeaux3.5 times as high | 3.183 in total | 0.96 in total | More per capita: Bordeaux3.5 times as high |
| 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 | Bordeaux | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Bordeaux+54% | 6.3 | 4.1 | Better access: Bordeaux+54% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bordeaux+72% | 16.6452 in total | 9.766 in total | More per capita: Bordeaux+72% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bordeaux+75% | 42.21,145 in total | 24.1164 in total | More per capita: Bordeaux+75% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bordeaux+58% | 10.7290 in total | 6.846 in total | More per capita: Bordeaux+58% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bordeaux+58% | 3.9107 in total | 2.517 in total | More per capita: Bordeaux+58% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Bordeaux+12 | 20 | 8 | More facilities: Bordeaux+12 |
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 | Bordeaux | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Bordeaux+94 | 125 | 31 | More schools: Bordeaux+94 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Bordeaux+26 | 32 | 6 | More middle schools: Bordeaux+26 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Bordeaux+39 | 41 | 2 | More high schools: Bordeaux+39 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Bordeaux+102 | 120 | 18 | More facilities: Bordeaux+102 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Bordeaux | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Pessac+49% | 6.9 | 10.2 | Higher rate: Pessac+49% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Bordeaux4.7 times as high | 39.1 | 8.4 | Higher rate: Bordeaux4.7 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Bordeaux3.2 times as high | 5.1 | 1.6 | Higher rate: Bordeaux3.2 times as high |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Bordeaux3.5 times as high | 3.1 | 0.9 | Higher rate: Bordeaux3.5 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Bordeaux+66% | 14.7 | 8.9 | Higher rate: Bordeaux+66% |
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)
Natural hazards
Natural disasters and prevention
| Criterion | Bordeaux | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Bordeaux+18 | 50 | 32 | More declarations: Bordeaux+18 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Bordeaux+1 | 1 | 0 | More plans: Bordeaux+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low, with aggravating factors | Low, with aggravating factors | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Bordeaux | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Bordeaux+27% | 49.4 | 38.8 | Larger: Bordeaux+27% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Pessac+26 m | 9 m | 35 m | Higher: Pessac+26 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Gironde (33) | Gironde (33) | Same |
| IntercommunalitySame | Bordeaux Métropole | Bordeaux Métropole | Same |
| Urban unitSame | Bordeaux | Bordeaux | Same |
| Functional areaSame | Bordeaux | Bordeaux | Same |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Bordeaux vs Pessac at a glance
| Criterion | Bordeaux | Pessac |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 271,552 | 68,102 |
| Change over 10 years | +10.0% | +10.8% |
| Density per km² | 5,501 | 1,754 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,375 | 3,569 |
| Median house price €/m² | 5,148 | 4,096 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 16.0 | 15.3 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 49.54% | 48.44% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 27,590 | 28,840 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.8% | 11.7% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 6.3 | 4.1 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.9 | 10.2 |
| Average temperature | 14.3°C | 14.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,070 | 2,070 |
| Area km² | 49.4 | 38.8 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
Bordeaux vs Pessac: your questions
Which is the larger city, Bordeaux or Pessac?
By population, Bordeaux: 271,552 inhabitants versus 68,102 for Pessac (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Bordeaux is the 9th largest city in France, Pessac the 78th. By area, Bordeaux is also the larger (49.4 km²).
How far is Bordeaux from Pessac?
Bordeaux and Pessac are 11 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Gironde).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Bordeaux or Pessac?
To buy an apartment, Bordeaux is more expensive: €4,375 per m² (median price), versus €3,569 in Pessac (+23%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Bordeaux or Pessac?
In Pessac, half of the residents have a standard of living above €28,840 a year, versus €27,590 in Bordeaux (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Bordeaux and Pessac in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Gironde (33), in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures