2026 comparison
Cambrai vs Valenciennes: 2026 comparison
Valenciennes has more inhabitants than Cambrai: 43,966 versus 31,738, or 39% more. Cambrai covers a larger area (18.2 km² versus 13.8 km²), but Valenciennes is more densely populated: 3,181 inhabitants per km² versus 1,746.
The median apartment price is higher in Valenciennes: €2,226 per m² versus €1,650. The median standard of living is higher in Valenciennes (€22,180 a year versus €21,930).
The two cities are 29 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Cambrai
City in Nord
- Population
- 31,738 inhab.
- 267th in France · 10th in its department
- Area
- 18.2 km²
- Density
- 1,746 per km²
Valenciennes
City in Nord
- Population
- 43,966 inhab.
- 173rd in France · 6th in its department
- Area
- 13.8 km²
- Density
- 3,181 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
CambraiValenciennes
| Criterion | Cambrai | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Valenciennes+39% | 31,738 | 43,966 | More populous: Valenciennes+39% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Valenciennes+4.4 pts | −4.2% | +0.1% | Stronger growth: Valenciennes+4.4 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Valenciennes+6.7 pts | −5.2% | +1.4% | Stronger growth: Valenciennes+6.7 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Valenciennes+82% | 1,746 | 3,181 | Denser: Valenciennes+82% |
| Under 15Tie | 14.9% | 14.9% | Tie |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Cambrai+6.9 pts | 24.4% | 17.5% | More seniors: Cambrai+6.9 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Cambrai+0.02 | 1.87 | 1.85 | Larger households: Cambrai+0.02 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Cambrai | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Valenciennes+35% | 1,650 | 2,226 | More expensive: Valenciennes+35% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Valenciennes+21% | 1,364 | 1,649 | More expensive: Valenciennes+21% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Valenciennes+10% | 11.0 | 12.1 | More expensive: Valenciennes+10% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Valenciennes+13% | 8.6 | 9.6 | More expensive: Valenciennes+13% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Cambrai+11 pts | 43.6% | 33.1% | More homeowners: Cambrai+11 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Cambrai+15 pts | 52.9% | 38.4% | More houses: Cambrai+15 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Valenciennes+1.3 pt | 1.8% | 3.0% | More second homes: Valenciennes+1.3 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Valenciennes+2.2 pts | 10.3% | 12.5% | More vacant homes: Valenciennes+2.2 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Valenciennes+9.1 pts | 40.33% | 49.44% | Higher rate: Valenciennes+9.1 pts |
Sources: DGFiP (DVF), Ministry of Housing (rent map), INSEE, census, DGFiP, local taxation
Income and jobs
Residents’ income and jobs
| Criterion | Cambrai | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Valenciennes+1% | 21,930 | 22,180 | Higher: Valenciennes+1% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Valenciennes+3.6 pts | 24.2% | 27.8% | Higher: Valenciennes+3.6 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Valenciennes+4% | €24,195 | €25,059 | Higher: Valenciennes+4% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Valenciennes+3.2 pts | 36% | 39% | More taxpaying households: Valenciennes+3.2 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Cambrai+3.4 pts | 72.3% | 68.8% | Higher: Cambrai+3.4 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Cambrai+2.0 pt | 20.8% | 18.8% | Higher: Cambrai+2.0 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Cambrai | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Emeric François | Laurent Degallaix | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Cambrai+2.7 pts | 98% | 95% | Better covered: Cambrai+2.7 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Cambrai | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Cambrai+14% | 101.5322 in total | 88.7390 in total | More shops per capita: Cambrai+14% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+5% | 23.675 in total | 24.8109 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+5% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+40% | 42.9136 in total | 60.0264 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+40% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+69% | 12.941 in total | 21.896 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+69% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+3% | 2.27 in total | 2.310 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+3% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+44% | 1.96 in total | 2.712 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+44% |
| 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 | Cambrai | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Valenciennes+50% | 2.9 | 4.4 | Better access: Valenciennes+50% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+7% | 13.242 in total | 14.162 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+7% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cambrai+26% | 52.6167 in total | 41.9184 in total | More per capita: Cambrai+26% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cambrai+32% | 12.941 in total | 9.843 in total | More per capita: Cambrai+32% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cambrai+89% | 4.715 in total | 2.511 in total | More per capita: Cambrai+89% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Valenciennes+3 | 6 | 9 | More facilities: Valenciennes+3 |
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 | Cambrai | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsTie | 24 | 24 | Tie |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Valenciennes+1 | 6 | 7 | More middle schools: Valenciennes+1 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Valenciennes+1 | 7 | 8 | More high schools: Valenciennes+1 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Valenciennes+2 | 11 | 13 | More facilities: Valenciennes+2 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Cambrai | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Valenciennes+10% | 4.1 | 4.5 | Higher rate: Valenciennes+10% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valenciennes2.0 times as high | 9.6 | 19.5 | Higher rate: Valenciennes2.0 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valenciennes+73% | 6.4 | 11.1 | Higher rate: Valenciennes+73% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valenciennes2.2 times as high | 1.4 | 3.0 | Higher rate: Valenciennes2.2 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valenciennes+23% | 14.0 | 17.3 | Higher rate: Valenciennes+23% |
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 | Cambrai | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Valenciennes+0.1 °C | 10.9°C | 11.0°C | Warmer: Valenciennes+0.1 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Cambrai+1% | 703 | 694 | Wetter: Cambrai+1% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Cambrai+0 days/year | 123 | 122 | More rainy days: Cambrai+0 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Valenciennes+2 days/year | 44 | 46 | More frost days: Valenciennes+2 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Valenciennes+1 days/year | 7 | 8 | More hot days: Valenciennes+1 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 | Cambrai | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Valenciennes+3 | 10 | 13 | More declarations: Valenciennes+3 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Valenciennes+2 | 0 | 2 | More plans: Valenciennes+2 |
| Radon potential | Low | Low, with aggravating factors |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Cambrai | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Cambrai+32% | 18.2 | 13.8 | Larger: Cambrai+32% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Cambrai+35 m | 61 m | 26 m | Higher: Cambrai+35 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Large urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Nord (59) | Nord (59) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération de Cambrai | Communauté d'agglomération Valenciennes Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Cambrai | Valenciennes (partie française) | |
| Functional area | Cambrai | Valenciennes (partie française) |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Cambrai vs Valenciennes at a glance
| Criterion | Cambrai | Valenciennes |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 31,738 | 43,966 |
| Change over 10 years | −5.2% | +1.4% |
| Density per km² | 1,746 | 3,181 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,650 | 2,226 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,364 | 1,649 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.0 | 12.1 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 40.33% | 49.44% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 21,930 | 22,180 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 20.8% | 18.8% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 2.9 | 4.4 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.1 | 4.5 |
| Average temperature | 10.9°C | 11.0°C |
| Area km² | 18.2 | 13.8 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Cambrai vs Valenciennes: your questions
Which is the larger city, Cambrai or Valenciennes?
By population, Valenciennes: 43,966 inhabitants versus 31,738 for Cambrai (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Valenciennes is the 173rd largest city in France, Cambrai the 267th. By area, Cambrai is the larger (18.2 km²).
How far is Cambrai from Valenciennes?
Cambrai and Valenciennes are 29 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Nord).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Cambrai or Valenciennes?
To buy an apartment, Valenciennes is more expensive: €2,226 per m² (median price), versus €1,650 in Cambrai (+35%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Cambrai or Valenciennes?
In Valenciennes, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,180 a year, versus €21,930 in Cambrai (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Cambrai and Valenciennes in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Nord (59), in the Hauts-de-France region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures