2026 comparison
Caen vs Cherbourg-en-Cotentin: 2026 comparison
Caen has more inhabitants than Cherbourg-en-Cotentin: 111,546 versus 80,317, or 39% more. Cherbourg-en-Cotentin covers a larger area (68.5 km² versus 25.7 km²), but Caen is more densely populated: 4,340 inhabitants per km² versus 1,172.
The median apartment price is higher in Caen: €2,848 per m² versus €2,192. The median standard of living is higher in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (€25,450 a year versus €23,650).
The two cities are 104 km apart as the crow flies.
Caen
City in Calvados
- Population
- 111,546 inhab.
- 38th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 25.7 km²
- Density
- 4,340 per km²
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
City in Manche
- Population
- 80,317 inhab.
- 63rd in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 68.5 km²
- Density
- 1,172 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
CaenCherbourg-en-Cotentin
| Criterion | Caen | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Caen+39% | 111,546 | 80,317 | More populous: Caen+39% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Caen+4.8 pts | +3.7% | −1.1% | Stronger growth: Caen+4.8 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Caen+5.4 pts | +2.0% | −3.4% | Stronger growth: Caen+5.4 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Caen3.7 times as high | 4,340 | 1,172 | Denser: Caen3.7 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+3.3 pts | 11.7% | 15.1% | More young people: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+3.3 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+3.0 pts | 18.9% | 21.9% | More seniors: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+3.0 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.24 | 1.66 | 1.90 | Larger households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.24 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Caen | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Caen+30% | 2,848 | 2,192 | More expensive: Caen+30% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Caen+49% | 3,414 | 2,296 | More expensive: Caen+49% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Caen+10% | 13.8 | 12.6 | More expensive: Caen+10% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Caen+21% | 12.7 | 10.5 | More expensive: Caen+21% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+15 pts | 29.4% | 44.6% | More homeowners: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+15 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+35 pts | 14.7% | 50.2% | More houses: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+35 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8.4 pts | 32.9% | 41.2% | More social housing: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8.4 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Caen+0.1 pt | 3.7% | 3.6% | More second homes: Caen+0.1 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Caen+3.0 pts | 8.9% | 5.9% | More vacant homes: Caen+3.0 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Caen+0.1 pt | 52.64% | 52.57% | Higher rate: Caen+0.1 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 | Caen | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8% | 23,650 | 25,450 | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Caen+9.3 pts | 24.2% | 14.9% | Higher: Caen+9.3 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+7% | €27,457 | €29,269 | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+7% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5.3 pts | 44% | 49% | More taxpaying households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5.3 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8.2 pts | 67.3% | 75.5% | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8.2 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Caen+4.0 pts | 15.0% | 11.0% | Higher: Caen+4.0 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Caen | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Aristide Olivier | Camille Margueritte | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Caen+1.9 pt | 97% | 95% | Better covered: Caen+1.9 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Caen | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Caen+13% | 74.8834 in total | 66.4533 in total | More shops per capita: Caen+13% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Caen+23% | 23.7264 in total | 19.3155 in total | More per capita: Caen+23% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Caen+96% | 44.5496 in total | 22.7182 in total | More per capita: Caen+96% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+6% | 18.4205 in total | 19.4156 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+6% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Caen+12% | 2.528 in total | 2.218 in total | More per capita: Caen+12% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+3% | 2.831 in total | 2.923 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+3% |
| 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 | Caen | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Caen+61% | 5.5 | 3.4 | Better access: Caen+61% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Caen+89% | 15.1168 in total | 8.064 in total | More per capita: Caen+89% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Caen4.3 times as high | 39.4439 in total | 9.274 in total | More per capita: Caen4.3 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Caen+96% | 8.898 in total | 4.536 in total | More per capita: Caen+96% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 3.033 in total | 3.024 in total | Tie |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Caen+8 | 19 | 11 | More facilities: Caen+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 | Caen | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+9 | 38 | 47 | More schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+9 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Caen+3 | 16 | 13 | More middle schools: Caen+3 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Caen+12 | 22 | 10 | More high schools: Caen+12 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Caen+30 | 43 | 13 | More facilities: Caen+30 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Caen | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Caen2.0 times as high | 3.7 | 1.8 | Higher rate: Caen2.0 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Caen2.4 times as high | 14.8 | 6.3 | Higher rate: Caen2.4 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Caen2.1 times as high | 6.0 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Caen2.1 times as high |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Caen2.2 times as high | 1.4 | 0.6 | Higher rate: Caen2.2 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Caen+21% | 10.9 | 9.0 | Higher rate: Caen+21% |
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 | Caen | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.6 °C | 11.5°C | 12.1°C | Warmer: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.6 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,746 | — | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+30% | 740 | 964 | Wetter: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+30% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+9 days/year | 126 | 135 | More rainy days: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+9 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Caen+24 days/year | 29 | 5 | More frost days: Caen+24 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Caen+4 days/year | 4 | 0 | More hot days: Caen+4 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 | Caen | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Caen+5 | 18 | 13 | More declarations: Caen+5 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Low | Significant |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Caen | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin2.7 times as high | 25.7 | 68.5 | Larger: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin2.7 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Caen+4 m | 10 m | 6 m | Higher: Caen+4 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Calvados (14) | Manche (50) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté urbaine Caen la Mer | Communauté d'agglomération du Cotentin | |
| Urban unit | Caen | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | |
| Functional area | Caen | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Caen vs Cherbourg-en-Cotentin at a glance
| Criterion | Caen | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 111,546 | 80,317 |
| Change over 10 years | +2.0% | −3.4% |
| Density per km² | 4,340 | 1,172 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,848 | 2,192 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,414 | 2,296 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.8 | 12.6 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 52.64% | 52.57% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 23,650 | 25,450 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 15.0% | 11.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.5 | 3.4 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 3.7 | 1.8 |
| Average temperature | 11.5°C | 12.1°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,746 | — |
| Area km² | 25.7 | 68.5 |
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FAQ
Caen vs Cherbourg-en-Cotentin: your questions
Which is the larger city, Caen or Cherbourg-en-Cotentin?
By population, Caen: 111,546 inhabitants versus 80,317 for Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Caen is the 38th largest city in France, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin the 63rd. By area, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is the larger (68.5 km²).
How far is Caen from Cherbourg-en-Cotentin?
Caen and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin are 104 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Caen or Cherbourg-en-Cotentin?
To buy an apartment, Caen is more expensive: €2,848 per m² (median price), versus €2,192 in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (+30%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Caen or Cherbourg-en-Cotentin?
In Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,450 a year, versus €23,650 in Caen (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Caen and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin in the same department?
No: Caen is in Calvados (14), and Cherbourg-en-Cotentin in Manche (50), both in the Normandy region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures