2026 comparison
Brest vs Tours: 2026 comparison
Brest has more inhabitants than Tours: 144,890 versus 141,746, or 2.2% more. Brest covers a larger area (49.5 km² versus 34.7 km²), but Tours is more densely populated: 4,088 inhabitants per km² versus 2,926.
The median apartment price is higher in Tours: €2,892 per m² versus €2,087. The median standard of living is higher in Brest (€24,030 a year versus €23,390).
The two cities are 403 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
Tours
City in Indre-et-Loire
FIndre-et-Loire37Centre-Val de Loire
- Population
- 141,746 inhab.
- 27th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 34.7 km²
- Density
- 4,088 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
BrestTours
| Criterion | Brest | Tours | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Brest+2% | 144,890 | 141,746 | More populous: Brest+2% |
| Change over 5 yearsTie | +2.0% | +2.0% | Tie |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Tours+1.2 pt | +2.1% | +3.3% | Stronger growth: Tours+1.2 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Tours+40% | 2,926 | 4,088 | Denser: Tours+40% |
| Under 15More young people: Tours+0.1 pt | 13.9% | 14.0% | More young people: Tours+0.1 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Tours+1.4 pt | 17.6% | 19.1% | More seniors: Tours+1.4 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Brest+0.05 | 1.78 | 1.73 | Larger households: Brest+0.05 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Brest | Tours | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Tours+39% | 2,087 | 2,892 | More expensive: Tours+39% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Tours+41% | 2,397 | 3,391 | More expensive: Tours+41% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Tours+11% | 12.2 | 13.5 | More expensive: Tours+11% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Tours+18% | 10.8 | 12.8 | More expensive: Tours+18% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Brest+11 pts | 42.6% | 32.1% | More homeowners: Brest+11 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Brest+6.7 pts | 24.7% | 18.1% | More houses: Brest+6.7 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Brest+0.1 pt | 28.3% | 28.1% | More social housing: Brest+0.1 pt |
| Second homesMore second homes: Brest+0.3 pt | 4.1% | 3.8% | More second homes: Brest+0.3 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Tours+4.7 pts | 6.5% | 11.2% | More vacant homes: Tours+4.7 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Tours+0.3 pt | 43.83% | 44.11% | Higher rate: Tours+0.3 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 | Brest | Tours | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Brest+3% | 24,030 | 23,390 | Higher: Brest+3% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Tours+3.8 pts | 20.3% | 24.1% | Higher: Tours+3.8 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Tours+3% | €26,140 | €26,965 | Higher: Tours+3% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Brest+0.9 pt | 46% | 45% | More taxpaying households: Brest+0.9 pt |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Tours+2.1 pts | 70.0% | 72.0% | Higher: Tours+2.1 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Tours+0.9 pt | 13.5% | 14.4% | Higher: Tours+0.9 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Brest | Tours | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Stéphane Roudaut | Emmanuel Denis | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous left | |
| Premises with fiberTie | 98% | 98% | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Brest | Tours | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Tours+23% | 55.4803 in total | 68.3968 in total | More shops per capita: Tours+23% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Tours+30% | 14.1205 in total | 18.3260 in total | More per capita: Tours+30% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Tours+49% | 29.5427 in total | 44.0623 in total | More per capita: Tours+49% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Brest+71% | 24.4354 in total | 14.3203 in total | More per capita: Brest+71% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Tours+29% | 1.623 in total | 2.029 in total | More per capita: Tours+29% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Tours+67% | 2.130 in total | 3.549 in total | More per capita: Tours+67% |
| 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 | Brest | Tours | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Brest+9% | 5.3 | 4.9 | Better access: Brest+9% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Brest+15% | 12.3178 in total | 10.7152 in total | More per capita: Brest+15% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Brest+24% | 26.2379 in total | 21.1299 in total | More per capita: Brest+24% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Brest+11% | 7.5109 in total | 6.896 in total | More per capita: Brest+11% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Tours+36% | 2.536 in total | 3.448 in total | More per capita: Tours+36% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Brest+8 | 18 | 10 | More facilities: Brest+8 |
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 | Tours | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Tours+9 | 59 | 68 | More schools: Tours+9 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Tours+3 | 21 | 24 | More middle schools: Tours+3 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Tours+2 | 22 | 24 | More high schools: Tours+2 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Brest+4 | 40 | 36 | More facilities: Brest+4 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Brest | Tours | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Tours+11% | 4.7 | 5.2 | Higher rate: Tours+11% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Tours+53% | 11.3 | 17.2 | Higher rate: Tours+53% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Tours+12% | 4.6 | 5.2 | Higher rate: Tours+12% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Brest+25% | 2.2 | 1.8 | Higher rate: Brest+25% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Brest+14% | 11.6 | 10.2 | Higher rate: Brest+14% |
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 | Tours | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Tours+0.5 °C | 11.7°C | 12.2°C | Warmer: Tours+0.5 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Tours+21% | 1,555 | 1,885 | Sunnier: Tours+21% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Brest+81% | 1,230 | 678 | Wetter: Brest+81% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Brest+51 days/year | 160 | 109 | More rainy days: Brest+51 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Tours+22 days/year | 14 | 36 | More frost days: Tours+22 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Tours+14 days/year | 1 | 14 | More hot days: Tours+14 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 | Tours | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Tours+9 | 17 | 26 | More declarations: Tours+9 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Tours+1 | 0 | 1 | More plans: Tours+1 |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Brest | Tours | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Brest+43% | 49.5 | 34.7 | Larger: Brest+43% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Brest+5 m | 54 m | 49 m | Higher: Brest+5 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Finistère (29) | Indre-et-Loire (37) | |
| Intercommunality | Brest Métropole | Tours Métropole Val de Loire | |
| Urban unit | Brest | Tours | |
| Functional area | Brest | Tours |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Brest vs Tours at a glance
| Criterion | Brest | Tours |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 144,890 | 141,746 |
| Change over 10 years | +2.1% | +3.3% |
| Density per km² | 2,926 | 4,088 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,087 | 2,892 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,397 | 3,391 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.2 | 13.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 43.83% | 44.11% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,030 | 23,390 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 13.5% | 14.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.3 | 4.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.7 | 5.2 |
| Average temperature | 11.7°C | 12.2°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,555 | 1,885 |
| Area km² | 49.5 | 34.7 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Brest vs Tours: your questions
Which is the larger city, Brest or Tours?
By population, Brest: 144,890 inhabitants versus 141,746 for Tours (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Brest is the 26th largest city in France, Tours the 27th. By area, Brest is also the larger (49.5 km²).
How far is Brest from Tours?
Brest and Tours are 403 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Brest or Tours?
To buy an apartment, Tours is more expensive: €2,892 per m² (median price), versus €2,087 in Brest (+39%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Brest or Tours?
In Brest, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,030 a year, versus €23,390 in Tours (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Brest or Tours?
Tours: 1,885 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