2026 comparison
Bourges vs Valence (26): 2026 comparison
Bourges has more inhabitants than Valence: 66,155 versus 65,647, or 0.8% more. Bourges covers a larger area (68.7 km² versus 36.7 km²), but Valence is more densely populated: 1,789 inhabitants per km² versus 962.
The median apartment price is higher in Valence: €2,085 per m² versus €1,530. The median standard of living is higher in Bourges (€24,230 a year versus €22,790).
The two cities are 309 km apart as the crow flies.
Bourges
City in Cher
- Population
- 66,155 inhab.
- 82nd in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 68.7 km²
- Density
- 962 per km²
Valence
City in Drôme
- Population
- 65,647 inhab.
- 84th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 36.7 km²
- Density
- 1,789 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
BourgesValence
| Criterion | Bourges | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Bourges+0.8% | 66,155 | 65,647 | More populous: Bourges+0.8% |
| Change over 5 yearsSmaller decline: Valence+0.3 pt | −0.7% | −0.4% | Smaller decline: Valence+0.3 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Valence+8.8 pts | −4.5% | +4.4% | Stronger growth: Valence+8.8 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Valence+86% | 962 | 1,789 | Denser: Valence+86% |
| Under 15More young people: Valence+0.2 pt | 15.5% | 15.6% | More young people: Valence+0.2 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Bourges+1.0 pt | 23.2% | 22.3% | More seniors: Bourges+1.0 pt |
| People per householdTie | 1.89 | 1.89 | Tie |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Bourges | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Valence+36% | 1,530 | 2,085 | More expensive: Valence+36% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Valence+49% | 1,761 | 2,627 | More expensive: Valence+49% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Valence+5% | 11.4 | 11.9 | More expensive: Valence+5% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Valence+19% | 9.6 | 11.4 | More expensive: Valence+19% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Bourges+4.4 pts | 48.4% | 44.0% | More homeowners: Bourges+4.4 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Bourges+22 pts | 44.3% | 22.4% | More houses: Bourges+22 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Bourges+3.6 pts | 31.7% | 28.1% | More social housing: Bourges+3.6 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Valence+0.1 pt | 3.2% | 3.3% | More second homes: Valence+0.1 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Bourges+0.1 pt | 11.6% | 11.5% | More vacant homes: Bourges+0.1 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Bourges+0.6 pt | 45.92% | 45.36% | Higher rate: Bourges+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 | Bourges | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Bourges+6% | 24,230 | 22,790 | Higher: Bourges+6% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Valence+2.5 pts | 21.6% | 24.1% | Higher: Valence+2.5 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Valence+2% | €26,872 | €27,472 | Higher: Valence+2% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Bourges+3.2 pts | 45% | 42% | More taxpaying households: Bourges+3.2 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Valence+1.6 pt | 71.8% | 73.4% | Higher: Valence+1.6 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Valence+1.3 pt | 14.0% | 15.3% | Higher: Valence+1.3 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Bourges | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Yann Galut | Nicolas Daragon | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the left | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Bourges+1.7 pt | 98% | 96% | Better covered: Bourges+1.7 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Bourges | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Valence+37% | 73.3485 in total | 100.7661 in total | More shops per capita: Valence+37% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valence+12% | 22.2147 in total | 25.0164 in total | More per capita: Valence+12% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valence+14% | 40.4267 in total | 45.9301 in total | More per capita: Valence+14% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valence+13% | 20.7137 in total | 23.3153 in total | More per capita: Valence+13% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bourges+18% | 2.919 in total | 2.416 in total | More per capita: Bourges+18% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valence+24% | 2.617 in total | 3.221 in total | More per capita: Valence+24% |
| 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 | Bourges | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Valence+12% | 3.3 | 3.6 | Better access: Valence+12% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valence+36% | 7.046 in total | 9.462 in total | More per capita: Valence+36% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valence2.5 times as high | 8.657 in total | 21.3140 in total | More per capita: Valence2.5 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valence+7% | 7.147 in total | 7.650 in total | More per capita: Valence+7% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valence+20% | 3.221 in total | 3.825 in total | More per capita: Valence+20% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Valence+1 | 8 | 9 | More facilities: Valence+1 |
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 | Bourges | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Valence+8 | 37 | 45 | More schools: Valence+8 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Bourges+2 | 11 | 9 | More middle schools: Bourges+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Bourges+2 | 15 | 13 | More high schools: Bourges+2 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Valence+8 | 17 | 25 | More facilities: Valence+8 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Bourges | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Bourges+72% | 9.5 | 5.5 | Higher rate: Bourges+72% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valence+72% | 9.2 | 15.8 | Higher rate: Valence+72% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valence+30% | 3.9 | 5.1 | Higher rate: Valence+30% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valence+37% | 1.9 | 2.7 | Higher rate: Valence+37% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Bourges+35% | 15.9 | 11.8 | Higher rate: Bourges+35% |
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 | Bourges | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Valence+1.2 °C | 12.1°C | 13.3°C | Warmer: Valence+1.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,889 | — | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Valence+18% | 743 | 874 | Wetter: Valence+18% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Bourges+29 days/year | 117 | 88 | More rainy days: Bourges+29 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearTie | 45 | 45 | Tie |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Valence+23 days/year | 18 | 41 | More hot days: Valence+23 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 | Bourges | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Bourges+5 | 15 | 10 | More declarations: Bourges+5 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Valence+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Valence+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Bourges | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Bourges+87% | 68.7 | 36.7 | Larger: Bourges+87% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Bourges+26 m | 154 m | 128 m | Higher: Bourges+26 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Cher (18) | Drôme (26) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Bourges Plus | Communauté d'agglomération Valence Romans Agglo | |
| Urban unit | Bourges | Valence | |
| Functional area | Bourges | Valence |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Bourges vs Valence (26) at a glance
| Criterion | Bourges | Valence |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 66,155 | 65,647 |
| Change over 10 years | −4.5% | +4.4% |
| Density per km² | 962 | 1,789 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,530 | 2,085 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,761 | 2,627 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.4 | 11.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 45.92% | 45.36% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,230 | 22,790 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 14.0% | 15.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.3 | 3.6 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 9.5 | 5.5 |
| Average temperature | 12.1°C | 13.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,889 | — |
| Area km² | 68.7 | 36.7 |
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FAQ
Bourges vs Valence (26): your questions
Which is the larger city, Bourges or Valence?
By population, Bourges: 66,155 inhabitants versus 65,647 for Valence (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Bourges is the 82nd largest city in France, Valence the 84th. By area, Bourges is also the larger (68.7 km²).
How far is Bourges from Valence?
Bourges and Valence are 309 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Bourges or Valence?
To buy an apartment, Valence is more expensive: €2,085 per m² (median price), versus €1,530 in Bourges (+36%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Bourges or Valence?
In Bourges, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,230 a year, versus €22,790 in Valence (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Bourges and Valence in the same department?
No: Bourges is in Cher (18), in the Centre-Val de Loire region, and Valence in Drôme (26), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures