2026 comparison
Calais vs Dunkerque: 2026 comparison
Dunkerque has more inhabitants than Calais: 87,442 versus 68,246, or 28% more. Dunkerque covers a larger area (43.9 km² versus 33.5 km²), but Calais is more densely populated: 2,037 inhabitants per km² versus 1,992.
The median apartment price is higher in Dunkerque: €2,144 per m² versus €1,947. The median standard of living is higher in Dunkerque (€22,790 a year versus €20,270).
The two cities are 34 km apart as the crow flies.
Calais
City in Pas-de-Calais
FPas-de-Calais62Hauts-de-France
- Population
- 68,246 inhab.
- 77th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 33.5 km²
- Density
- 2,037 per km²
Dunkerque
City in Nord
- Population
- 87,442 inhab.
- 54th in France · 4th in its department
- Area
- 43.9 km²
- Density
- 1,992 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
CalaisDunkerque
| Criterion | Calais | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Dunkerque+28% | 68,246 | 87,442 | More populous: Dunkerque+28% |
| Change over 5 yearsSmaller decline: Dunkerque+6.7 pts | −7.3% | −0.7% | Smaller decline: Dunkerque+6.7 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsSmaller decline: Dunkerque+2.8 pts | −6.8% | −4.0% | Smaller decline: Dunkerque+2.8 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Calais+2% | 2,037 | 1,992 | Denser: Calais+2% |
| Under 15More young people: Calais+1.4 pt | 17.6% | 16.3% | More young people: Calais+1.4 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Dunkerque+3.9 pts | 18.9% | 22.8% | More seniors: Dunkerque+3.9 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Calais+0.04 | 2.05 | 2.01 | Larger households: Calais+0.04 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Calais | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Dunkerque+10% | 1,947 | 2,144 | More expensive: Dunkerque+10% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Dunkerque+28% | 1,519 | 1,939 | More expensive: Dunkerque+28% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Dunkerque+17% | 11.6 | 13.5 | More expensive: Dunkerque+17% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Dunkerque+26% | 8.8 | 11.1 | More expensive: Dunkerque+26% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Dunkerque+1.4 pt | 44.1% | 45.5% | More homeowners: Dunkerque+1.4 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Calais+9.5 pts | 50.2% | 40.7% | More houses: Calais+9.5 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | 31.0% | — | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Dunkerque+1.5 pt | 2.4% | 3.9% | More second homes: Dunkerque+1.5 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Calais+2.9 pts | 9.8% | 6.9% | More vacant homes: Calais+2.9 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Dunkerque+2.7 pts | 48.75% | 51.49% | Higher rate: Dunkerque+2.7 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 | Calais | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Dunkerque+12% | 20,270 | 22,790 | Higher: Dunkerque+12% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Calais+5.8 pts | 28.5% | 22.7% | Higher: Calais+5.8 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Dunkerque+19% | €21,561 | €25,682 | Higher: Dunkerque+19% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Dunkerque+5.9 pts | 35% | 40% | More taxpaying households: Dunkerque+5.9 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Dunkerque+3.3 pts | 68.9% | 72.1% | Higher: Dunkerque+3.3 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Calais+4.4 pts | 22.3% | 17.9% | Higher: Calais+4.4 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Calais | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Natacha Bouchart | Patrice Vergriete | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous centre | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Calais+6.4 pts | 100% | 93% | Better covered: Calais+6.4 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Calais | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Dunkerque+7% | 56.1383 in total | 59.8523 in total | More shops per capita: Dunkerque+7% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Calais+4% | 18.6127 in total | 17.8156 in total | More per capita: Calais+4% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+40% | 26.7182 in total | 37.3326 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+40% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+6% | 16.6113 in total | 17.5153 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+6% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+48% | 1.510 in total | 2.219 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+48% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Calais+3% | 1.812 in total | 1.715 in total | More per capita: Calais+3% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Calais+2 | 3 | 1 | More stations: Calais+2 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Calais | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Calais+8% | 3.8 | 3.5 | Better access: Calais+8% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+10% | 7.652 in total | 8.373 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+10% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque2.2 times as high | 6.343 in total | 13.6119 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque2.2 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+59% | 4.531 in total | 7.263 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+59% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dunkerque+7% | 4.027 in total | 4.237 in total | More per capita: Dunkerque+7% |
| HospitalsTie | 7 | 7 | Tie |
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 | Calais | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Dunkerque+16 | 36 | 52 | More schools: Dunkerque+16 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Dunkerque+2 | 11 | 13 | More middle schools: Dunkerque+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Dunkerque+4 | 8 | 12 | More high schools: Dunkerque+4 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Dunkerque+3 | 6 | 9 | More facilities: Dunkerque+3 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Calais | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Dunkerque+33% | 3.2 | 4.3 | Higher rate: Dunkerque+33% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Dunkerque+30% | 8.0 | 10.5 | Higher rate: Dunkerque+30% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Calais+39% | 6.8 | 4.9 | Higher rate: Calais+39% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Dunkerque+59% | 0.9 | 1.5 | Higher rate: Dunkerque+59% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Calais+14% | 13.5 | 11.8 | Higher rate: Calais+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 | Calais | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Dunkerque+0.7 °C | 11.0°C | 11.7°C | Warmer: Dunkerque+0.7 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Calais+7% | 737 | 691 | Wetter: Calais+7% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmTie | 121 | 121 | Tie |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Calais+14 days/year | 31 | 17 | More frost days: Calais+14 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreTie | 2 | 2 | Tie |
Climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each commune. Source: Météo-France, climate normals
Natural hazards
Natural disasters and prevention
| Criterion | Calais | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Dunkerque+17 | 9 | 26 | More declarations: Dunkerque+17 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Calais | Dunkerque | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Dunkerque+31% | 33.5 | 43.9 | Larger: Dunkerque+31% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Dunkerque+2 m | 5 m | 7 m | Higher: Dunkerque+2 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Pas-de-Calais (62) | Nord (59) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Grand Calais Terres et Mers | Communauté urbaine de Dunkerque | |
| Urban unit | Calais | Dunkerque | |
| Functional area | Calais | Dunkerque |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Calais vs Dunkerque at a glance
| Criterion | Calais | Dunkerque |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 68,246 | 87,442 |
| Change over 10 years | −6.8% | −4.0% |
| Density per km² | 2,037 | 1,992 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,947 | 2,144 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,519 | 1,939 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.6 | 13.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 48.75% | 51.49% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 20,270 | 22,790 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 22.3% | 17.9% |
| Premises with fiber | 100% | 93% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.8 | 3.5 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 3.2 | 4.3 |
| Average temperature | 11.0°C | 11.7°C |
| Area km² | 33.5 | 43.9 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Calais vs Dunkerque: your questions
Which is the larger city, Calais or Dunkerque?
By population, Dunkerque: 87,442 inhabitants versus 68,246 for Calais (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Dunkerque is the 54th largest city in France, Calais the 77th. By area, Dunkerque is also the larger (43.9 km²).
How far is Calais from Dunkerque?
Calais and Dunkerque are 34 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Calais or Dunkerque?
To buy an apartment, Dunkerque is more expensive: €2,144 per m² (median price), versus €1,947 in Calais (+10%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Calais or Dunkerque?
In Dunkerque, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,790 a year, versus €20,270 in Calais (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Calais and Dunkerque in the same department?
No: Calais is in Pas-de-Calais (62), and Dunkerque in Nord (59), both in the Hauts-de-France region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures