2026 comparison
Brest vs Vannes: 2026 comparison
Brest has more inhabitants than Vannes: 144,890 versus 57,745, or 2.5 times as many. Brest is both larger (49.5 km² versus 32.3 km²) and more densely populated (2,926 inhabitants per km² versus 1,788).
The median apartment price is higher in Vannes: €3,833 per m² versus €2,087. The median standard of living is higher in Vannes (€27,430 a year versus €24,030).
The two cities are 155 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
Vannes
City in Morbihan
- Population
- 57,745 inhab.
- 105th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 32.3 km²
- Density
- 1,788 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
BrestVannes
| Criterion | Brest | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Brest2.5 times as high | 144,890 | 57,745 | More populous: Brest2.5 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Vannes+2.4 pts | +2.0% | +4.4% | Stronger growth: Vannes+2.4 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Vannes+3.1 pts | +2.1% | +5.2% | Stronger growth: Vannes+3.1 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Brest+64% | 2,926 | 1,788 | Denser: Brest+64% |
| Under 15More young people: Brest+1.3 pt | 13.9% | 12.6% | More young people: Brest+1.3 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Vannes+9.6 pts | 17.6% | 27.2% | More seniors: Vannes+9.6 pts |
| People per householdTie | 1.78 | 1.78 | Tie |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Brest | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Vannes+84% | 2,087 | 3,833 | More expensive: Vannes+84% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Vannes+70% | 2,397 | 4,063 | More expensive: Vannes+70% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Vannes+15% | 12.2 | 14.1 | More expensive: Vannes+15% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Vannes+22% | 10.8 | 13.2 | More expensive: Vannes+22% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Vannes+3.6 pts | 42.6% | 46.2% | More homeowners: Vannes+3.6 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Vannes+4.8 pts | 24.7% | 29.6% | More houses: Vannes+4.8 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Brest+4.6 pts | 28.3% | 23.6% | More social housing: Brest+4.6 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Vannes+4.2 pts | 4.1% | 8.3% | More second homes: Vannes+4.2 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Vannes+2.2 pts | 6.5% | 8.7% | More vacant homes: Vannes+2.2 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Brest+9.7 pts | 43.83% | 34.13% | Higher rate: Brest+9.7 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 | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Vannes+14% | 24,030 | 27,430 | Higher: Vannes+14% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Brest+5.2 pts | 20.3% | 15.1% | Higher: Brest+5.2 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Vannes+33% | €26,140 | €34,676 | Higher: Vannes+33% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Vannes+6.1 pts | 46% | 52% | More taxpaying households: Vannes+6.1 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Vannes+1.9 pt | 70.0% | 71.8% | Higher: Vannes+1.9 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Brest+2.1 pts | 13.5% | 11.4% | Higher: Brest+2.1 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Brest | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Stéphane Roudaut | David Robo | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Brest+0.9 pt | 98% | 97% | Better covered: Brest+0.9 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Brest | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Vannes2.1 times as high | 55.4803 in total | 114.3660 in total | More shops per capita: Vannes2.1 times as high |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vannes+95% | 14.1205 in total | 27.5159 in total | More per capita: Vannes+95% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vannes+56% | 29.5427 in total | 46.1266 in total | More per capita: Vannes+56% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vannes+8% | 24.4354 in total | 26.5153 in total | More per capita: Vannes+8% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vannes+53% | 1.623 in total | 2.414 in total | More per capita: Vannes+53% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vannes2.0 times as high | 2.130 in total | 4.224 in total | More per capita: Vannes2.0 times as high |
| 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 | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Vannes+10% | 5.3 | 5.9 | Better access: Vannes+10% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vannes+54% | 12.3178 in total | 18.9109 in total | More per capita: Vannes+54% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vannes2.1 times as high | 26.2379 in total | 53.7310 in total | More per capita: Vannes2.1 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vannes+50% | 7.5109 in total | 11.365 in total | More per capita: Vannes+50% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vannes+18% | 2.536 in total | 2.917 in total | More per capita: Vannes+18% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Brest+5 | 18 | 13 | More facilities: Brest+5 |
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 | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Brest+31 | 59 | 28 | More schools: Brest+31 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Brest+12 | 21 | 9 | More middle schools: Brest+12 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Brest+10 | 22 | 12 | More high schools: Brest+10 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Brest+21 | 40 | 19 | More facilities: Brest+21 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Brest | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Brest+15% | 4.7 | 4.1 | Higher rate: Brest+15% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Brest+13% | 11.3 | 9.9 | Higher rate: Brest+13% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Vannes+4% | 4.6 | 4.8 | Higher rate: Vannes+4% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Brest3.2 times as high | 2.2 | 0.7 | Higher rate: Brest3.2 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Vannes+1% | 11.6 | 11.8 | Higher rate: Vannes+1% |
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 | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Vannes+1.2 °C | 11.7°C | 12.9°C | Warmer: Vannes+1.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Vannes+27% | 1,555 | 1,981 | Sunnier: Vannes+27% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Brest+19% | 1,230 | 1,034 | Wetter: Brest+19% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Brest+29 days/year | 160 | 131 | More rainy days: Brest+29 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Vannes+11 days/year | 14 | 25 | More frost days: Vannes+11 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Vannes+10 days/year | 1 | 11 | More hot days: Vannes+10 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 | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Brest+8 | 17 | 9 | More declarations: Brest+8 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Vannes+1 | 0 | 1 | More plans: Vannes+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Significant | Significant | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Brest | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Brest+53% | 49.5 | 32.3 | Larger: Brest+53% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Brest+30 m | 54 m | 24 m | Higher: Brest+30 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Finistère (29) | Morbihan (56) | |
| Intercommunality | Brest Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération Golfe du Morbihan - Vannes Agglomération | |
| Urban unit | Brest | Vannes | |
| Functional area | Brest | Vannes |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Brest vs Vannes at a glance
| Criterion | Brest | Vannes |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 144,890 | 57,745 |
| Change over 10 years | +2.1% | +5.2% |
| Density per km² | 2,926 | 1,788 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,087 | 3,833 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,397 | 4,063 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.2 | 14.1 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 43.83% | 34.13% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,030 | 27,430 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 13.5% | 11.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.3 | 5.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.7 | 4.1 |
| Average temperature | 11.7°C | 12.9°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,555 | 1,981 |
| Area km² | 49.5 | 32.3 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
Brest vs Vannes: your questions
Which is the larger city, Brest or Vannes?
By population, Brest: 144,890 inhabitants versus 57,745 for Vannes (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Brest is the 26th largest city in France, Vannes the 105th. By area, Brest is also the larger (49.5 km²).
How far is Brest from Vannes?
Brest and Vannes are 155 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Brest or Vannes?
To buy an apartment, Vannes is more expensive: €3,833 per m² (median price), versus €2,087 in Brest (+84%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Brest or Vannes?
In Vannes, half of the residents have a standard of living above €27,430 a year, versus €24,030 in Brest (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Brest or Vannes?
Vannes: 1,981 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