2026 comparison
Bourg-en-Bresse vs Villefranche-sur-Saône: 2026 comparison
Bourg-en-Bresse has more inhabitants than Villefranche-sur-Saône: 43,961 versus 36,563, or 20% more. Bourg-en-Bresse covers a larger area (23.9 km² versus 9.5 km²), but Villefranche-sur-Saône is more densely populated: 3,857 inhabitants per km² versus 1,842.
The median apartment price is higher in Villefranche-sur-Saône: €2,533 per m² versus €1,964. The median standard of living is higher in Bourg-en-Bresse (€22,480 a year versus €22,150).
The two cities are 47 km apart as the crow flies.
Bourg-en-Bresse
City in Ain
- Population
- 43,961 inhab.
- 174th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 23.9 km²
- Density
- 1,842 per km²
Villefranche-sur-Saône
City in Rhône
- Population
- 36,563 inhab.
- 229th in France · 10th in its department
- Area
- 9.5 km²
- Density
- 3,857 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Bourg-en-BresseVillefranche-sur-Saône
| Criterion | Bourg-en-Bresse | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Bourg-en-Bresse+20% | 43,961 | 36,563 | More populous: Bourg-en-Bresse+20% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Bourg-en-Bresse+3.0 pts | +2.7% | −0.3% | Stronger growth: Bourg-en-Bresse+3.0 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Bourg-en-Bresse+5.6 pts | +4.6% | −1.0% | Stronger growth: Bourg-en-Bresse+5.6 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Villefranche-sur-Saône2.1 times as high | 1,842 | 3,857 | Denser: Villefranche-sur-Saône2.1 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Villefranche-sur-Saône+1.4 pt | 16.3% | 17.7% | More young people: Villefranche-sur-Saône+1.4 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Bourg-en-Bresse+2.8 pts | 23.0% | 20.2% | More seniors: Bourg-en-Bresse+2.8 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Villefranche-sur-Saône+0.04 | 1.93 | 1.97 | Larger households: Villefranche-sur-Saône+0.04 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Bourg-en-Bresse | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Villefranche-sur-Saône+29% | 1,964 | 2,533 | More expensive: Villefranche-sur-Saône+29% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Villefranche-sur-Saône+31% | 2,326 | 3,048 | More expensive: Villefranche-sur-Saône+31% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Villefranche-sur-Saône+8% | 12.0 | 12.9 | More expensive: Villefranche-sur-Saône+8% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Villefranche-sur-Saône+10% | 10.9 | 12.0 | More expensive: Villefranche-sur-Saône+10% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Bourg-en-Bresse+0.6 pt | 37.2% | 36.6% | More homeowners: Bourg-en-Bresse+0.6 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Bourg-en-Bresse+6.6 pts | 20.4% | 13.8% | More houses: Bourg-en-Bresse+6.6 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Bourg-en-Bresse+4.6 pts | 40.2% | 35.6% | More social housing: Bourg-en-Bresse+4.6 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Bourg-en-Bresse+0.2 pt | 2.5% | 2.3% | More second homes: Bourg-en-Bresse+0.2 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Villefranche-sur-Saône+0.7 pt | 9.6% | 10.3% | More vacant homes: Villefranche-sur-Saône+0.7 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Bourg-en-Bresse+7.8 pts | 40.24% | 32.47% | Higher rate: Bourg-en-Bresse+7.8 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 | Bourg-en-Bresse | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Bourg-en-Bresse+1% | 22,480 | 22,150 | Higher: Bourg-en-Bresse+1% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Villefranche-sur-Saône+1.1 pt | 24.7% | 25.8% | Higher: Villefranche-sur-Saône+1.1 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Bourg-en-Bresse+3% | €25,722 | €25,020 | Higher: Bourg-en-Bresse+3% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Villefranche-sur-Saône+0.7 pt | 42% | 43% | More taxpaying households: Villefranche-sur-Saône+0.7 pt |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Villefranche-sur-Saône+2.2 pts | 71.0% | 73.2% | Higher: Villefranche-sur-Saône+2.2 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Bourg-en-Bresse+0.1 pt | 14.9% | 14.8% | Higher: Bourg-en-Bresse+0.1 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Bourg-en-Bresse | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Jean-François Debat | Thomas Ravier | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the left | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Villefranche-sur-Saône+1.1 pt | 98% | 99% | Better covered: Villefranche-sur-Saône+1.1 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Bourg-en-Bresse | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Villefranche-sur-Saône+40% | 84.6372 in total | 118.2432 in total | More shops per capita: Villefranche-sur-Saône+40% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Villefranche-sur-Saône+41% | 20.992 in total | 29.5108 in total | More per capita: Villefranche-sur-Saône+41% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bourg-en-Bresse+11% | 50.3221 in total | 45.1165 in total | More per capita: Bourg-en-Bresse+11% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bourg-en-Bresse+96% | 30.0132 in total | 15.356 in total | More per capita: Bourg-en-Bresse+96% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bourg-en-Bresse+66% | 3.214 in total | 1.97 in total | More per capita: Bourg-en-Bresse+66% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Villefranche-sur-Saône+35% | 1.88 in total | 2.59 in total | More per capita: Villefranche-sur-Saône+35% |
| 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 | Bourg-en-Bresse | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Villefranche-sur-Saône+14% | 3.2 | 3.6 | Better access: Villefranche-sur-Saône+14% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 7.131 in total | 7.126 in total | Tie |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bourg-en-Bresse2.1 times as high | 33.0145 in total | 15.657 in total | More per capita: Bourg-en-Bresse2.1 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bourg-en-Bresse+3% | 8.437 in total | 8.230 in total | More per capita: Bourg-en-Bresse+3% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bourg-en-Bresse+8% | 3.013 in total | 2.710 in total | More per capita: Bourg-en-Bresse+8% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Bourg-en-Bresse+7 | 8 | 1 | More facilities: Bourg-en-Bresse+7 |
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 | Bourg-en-Bresse | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Villefranche-sur-Saône+1 | 20 | 21 | More schools: Villefranche-sur-Saône+1 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Bourg-en-Bresse+2 | 8 | 6 | More middle schools: Bourg-en-Bresse+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Bourg-en-Bresse+2 | 10 | 8 | More high schools: Bourg-en-Bresse+2 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Bourg-en-Bresse+12 | 13 | 1 | More facilities: Bourg-en-Bresse+12 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Bourg-en-Bresse | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Bourg-en-Bresse+28% | 8.7 | 6.8 | Higher rate: Bourg-en-Bresse+28% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Villefranche-sur-Saône+2% | 13.2 | 13.4 | Higher rate: Villefranche-sur-Saône+2% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Villefranche-sur-Saône+23% | 4.9 | 6.1 | Higher rate: Villefranche-sur-Saône+23% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Villefranche-sur-Saône+63% | 1.5 | 2.5 | Higher rate: Villefranche-sur-Saône+63% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Villefranche-sur-Saône+13% | 13.0 | 14.6 | Higher rate: Villefranche-sur-Saône+13% |
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 | Bourg-en-Bresse | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Villefranche-sur-Saône+1.4 °C | 11.7°C | 13.1°C | Warmer: Villefranche-sur-Saône+1.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,989 | — | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Bourg-en-Bresse+31% | 1,033 | 791 | Wetter: Bourg-en-Bresse+31% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Bourg-en-Bresse+16 days/year | 123 | 107 | More rainy days: Bourg-en-Bresse+16 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Bourg-en-Bresse+17 days/year | 65 | 48 | More frost days: Bourg-en-Bresse+17 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Villefranche-sur-Saône+18 days/year | 20 | 38 | More hot days: Villefranche-sur-Saône+18 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 | Bourg-en-Bresse | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Villefranche-sur-Saône+4 | 13 | 17 | More declarations: Villefranche-sur-Saône+4 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Villefranche-sur-Saône+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Villefranche-sur-Saône+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Bourg-en-Bresse | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Bourg-en-Bresse2.5 times as high | 23.9 | 9.48 | Larger: Bourg-en-Bresse2.5 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Bourg-en-Bresse+46 m | 229 m | 183 m | Higher: Bourg-en-Bresse+46 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| Department | Ain (01) | Rhône (69) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération du Bassin de Bourg-en-Bresse | Communauté d'agglomération Villefranche Beaujolais Saône | |
| Urban unit | Bourg-en-Bresse | Lyon | |
| Functional area | Bourg-en-Bresse | Lyon |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Bourg-en-Bresse vs Villefranche-sur-Saône at a glance
| Criterion | Bourg-en-Bresse | Villefranche-sur-Saône |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 43,961 | 36,563 |
| Change over 10 years | +4.6% | −1.0% |
| Density per km² | 1,842 | 3,857 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,964 | 2,533 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,326 | 3,048 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.0 | 12.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 40.24% | 32.47% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,480 | 22,150 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 14.9% | 14.8% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 99% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.2 | 3.6 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 8.7 | 6.8 |
| Average temperature | 11.7°C | 13.1°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,989 | — |
| Area km² | 23.9 | 9.48 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Bourg-en-Bresse vs Villefranche-sur-Saône: your questions
Which is the larger city, Bourg-en-Bresse or Villefranche-sur-Saône?
By population, Bourg-en-Bresse: 43,961 inhabitants versus 36,563 for Villefranche-sur-Saône (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Bourg-en-Bresse is the 174th largest city in France, Villefranche-sur-Saône the 229th. By area, Bourg-en-Bresse is also the larger (23.9 km²).
How far is Bourg-en-Bresse from Villefranche-sur-Saône?
Bourg-en-Bresse and Villefranche-sur-Saône are 47 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Bourg-en-Bresse or Villefranche-sur-Saône?
To buy an apartment, Villefranche-sur-Saône is more expensive: €2,533 per m² (median price), versus €1,964 in Bourg-en-Bresse (+29%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Bourg-en-Bresse or Villefranche-sur-Saône?
In Bourg-en-Bresse, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,480 a year, versus €22,150 in Villefranche-sur-Saône (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Bourg-en-Bresse and Villefranche-sur-Saône in the same department?
No: Bourg-en-Bresse is in Ain (01), and Villefranche-sur-Saône in Rhône (69), both in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures