2026 comparison
Brest vs Clermont-Ferrand: 2026 comparison
Clermont-Ferrand has more inhabitants than Brest: 148,795 versus 144,890, or 2.7% more. Brest covers a larger area (49.5 km² versus 42.7 km²), but Clermont-Ferrand is more densely populated: 3,487 inhabitants per km² versus 2,926.
The median apartment price is higher in Clermont-Ferrand: €2,143 per m² versus €2,087. The median standard of living is higher in Brest (€24,030 a year versus €22,640).
The two cities are 645 km apart as the crow flies.
Brest
City in Finistère
- Population
- 144,890 inhab.
- 26th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 49.5 km²
- Density
- 2,926 per km²
Clermont-Ferrand
City in Puy-de-Dôme
FPuy-de-Dôme63Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- Population
- 148,795 inhab.
- 25th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 42.7 km²
- Density
- 3,487 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
BrestClermont-Ferrand
| Criterion | Brest | Clermont-Ferrand | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Clermont-Ferrand+3% | 144,890 | 148,795 | More populous: Clermont-Ferrand+3% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Brest+2.2 pts | +2.0% | −0.3% | Stronger growth: Brest+2.2 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Clermont-Ferrand+1.3 pt | +2.1% | +3.5% | Stronger growth: Clermont-Ferrand+1.3 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Clermont-Ferrand+19% | 2,926 | 3,487 | Denser: Clermont-Ferrand+19% |
| Under 15More young people: Clermont-Ferrand+0.4 pt | 13.9% | 14.4% | More young people: Clermont-Ferrand+0.4 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Brest+0.7 pt | 17.6% | 17.0% | More seniors: Brest+0.7 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Brest+0.02 | 1.78 | 1.76 | Larger households: Brest+0.02 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Brest | Clermont-Ferrand | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+3% | 2,087 | 2,143 | More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+3% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+4% | 2,397 | 2,489 | More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+4% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+3% | 12.2 | 12.5 | More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+3% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+6% | 10.8 | 11.5 | More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+6% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Brest+11 pts | 42.6% | 31.6% | More homeowners: Brest+11 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Brest+8.4 pts | 24.7% | 16.3% | More houses: Brest+8.4 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | 28.3% | — | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Clermont-Ferrand+1.6 pt | 4.1% | 5.6% | More second homes: Clermont-Ferrand+1.6 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Clermont-Ferrand+3.2 pts | 6.5% | 9.7% | More vacant homes: Clermont-Ferrand+3.2 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+6.1 pts | 43.83% | 49.88% | Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+6.1 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 | Brest | Clermont-Ferrand | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Brest+6% | 24,030 | 22,640 | Higher: Brest+6% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Clermont-Ferrand+6.7 pts | 20.3% | 27.0% | Higher: Clermont-Ferrand+6.7 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Brest+0.7% | €26,140 | €25,966 | Higher: Brest+0.7% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Brest+2.0 pts | 46% | 44% | More taxpaying households: Brest+2.0 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Brest+1.5 pt | 70.0% | 68.5% | Higher: Brest+1.5 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Clermont-Ferrand+1.9 pt | 13.5% | 15.4% | Higher: Clermont-Ferrand+1.9 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Brest | Clermont-Ferrand | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Stéphane Roudaut | Julien Bony | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | union of the right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Brest+0.4 pt | 98% | 97% | Better covered: Brest+0.4 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Brest | Clermont-Ferrand | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+26% | 55.4803 in total | 70.01,042 in total | More shops per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+26% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+35% | 14.1205 in total | 19.1284 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+35% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+71% | 29.5427 in total | 50.5751 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+71% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Brest+38% | 24.4354 in total | 17.7263 in total | More per capita: Brest+38% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+10% | 1.623 in total | 1.726 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+10% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+46% | 2.130 in total | 3.045 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+46% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Clermont-Ferrand+2 | 1 | 3 | More stations: Clermont-Ferrand+2 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Brest | Clermont-Ferrand | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Brest+30% | 5.3 | 4.1 | Better access: Brest+30% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Brest+50% | 12.3178 in total | 8.2122 in total | More per capita: Brest+50% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+7% | 26.2379 in total | 28.0416 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+7% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+12% | 7.5109 in total | 8.4125 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+12% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+41% | 2.536 in total | 3.552 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+41% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Brest+2 | 18 | 16 | More facilities: Brest+2 |
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 | Brest | Clermont-Ferrand | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Clermont-Ferrand+12 | 59 | 71 | More schools: Clermont-Ferrand+12 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Brest+5 | 21 | 16 | More middle schools: Brest+5 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Clermont-Ferrand+1 | 22 | 23 | More high schools: Clermont-Ferrand+1 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Clermont-Ferrand+3 | 40 | 43 | More facilities: Clermont-Ferrand+3 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Brest | Clermont-Ferrand | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+47% | 4.7 | 6.9 | Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+47% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+41% | 11.3 | 15.9 | Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+41% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Brest+8% | 4.6 | 4.3 | Higher rate: Brest+8% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Brest+34% | 2.2 | 1.6 | Higher rate: Brest+34% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+8% | 11.6 | 12.6 | Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+8% |
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 | Brest | Clermont-Ferrand | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Clermont-Ferrand+0.4 °C | 11.7°C | 12.1°C | Warmer: Clermont-Ferrand+0.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Clermont-Ferrand+26% | 1,555 | 1,958 | Sunnier: Clermont-Ferrand+26% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Brest2.2 times as high | 1,230 | 563 | Wetter: Brest2.2 times as high |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Brest+72 days/year | 160 | 87 | More rainy days: Brest+72 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Clermont-Ferrand+41 days/year | 14 | 56 | More frost days: Clermont-Ferrand+41 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Clermont-Ferrand+22 days/year | 1 | 22 | More hot days: Clermont-Ferrand+22 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 | Brest | Clermont-Ferrand | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Clermont-Ferrand+7 | 17 | 24 | More declarations: Clermont-Ferrand+7 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Clermont-Ferrand+1 | 0 | 1 | More plans: Clermont-Ferrand+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Significant | Significant | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Brest | Clermont-Ferrand | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Brest+16% | 49.5 | 42.7 | Larger: Brest+16% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Clermont-Ferrand+350 m | 54 m | 404 m | Higher: Clermont-Ferrand+350 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Finistère (29) | Puy-de-Dôme (63) | |
| Intercommunality | Brest Métropole | Clermont Auvergne Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Brest | Clermont-Ferrand | |
| Functional area | Brest | Clermont-Ferrand |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Brest vs Clermont-Ferrand at a glance
| Criterion | Brest | Clermont-Ferrand |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 144,890 | 148,795 |
| Change over 10 years | +2.1% | +3.5% |
| Density per km² | 2,926 | 3,487 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,087 | 2,143 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,397 | 2,489 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.2 | 12.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 43.83% | 49.88% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,030 | 22,640 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 13.5% | 15.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.3 | 4.1 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.7 | 6.9 |
| Average temperature | 11.7°C | 12.1°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,555 | 1,958 |
| Area km² | 49.5 | 42.7 |
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FAQ
Brest vs Clermont-Ferrand: your questions
Which is the larger city, Brest or Clermont-Ferrand?
By population, Clermont-Ferrand: 148,795 inhabitants versus 144,890 for Brest (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Clermont-Ferrand is the 25th largest city in France, Brest the 26th. By area, Brest is the larger (49.5 km²).
How far is Brest from Clermont-Ferrand?
Brest and Clermont-Ferrand are 645 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Brest or Clermont-Ferrand?
To buy an apartment, Clermont-Ferrand is more expensive: €2,143 per m² (median price), versus €2,087 in Brest (+3%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Brest or Clermont-Ferrand?
In Brest, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,030 a year, versus €22,640 in Clermont-Ferrand (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Brest or Clermont-Ferrand?
Clermont-Ferrand: 1,958 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,555 in Brest (climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each town).
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures