2026 comparison
Castelnau-le-Lez vs Nîmes: 2026 comparison
Nîmes has more inhabitants than Castelnau-le-Lez: 154,017 versus 26,449, or 5.8 times as many. Nîmes covers a larger area (162 km² versus 11.2 km²), but Castelnau-le-Lez is more densely populated: 2,366 inhabitants per km² versus 952.
The median apartment price is higher in Castelnau-le-Lez: €3,829 per m² versus €2,120. The median standard of living is higher in Castelnau-le-Lez (€28,200 a year versus €20,830).
The two cities are 41 km apart as the crow flies.
Castelnau-le-Lez
City in Hérault
- Population
- 26,449 inhab.
- 349th in France · 6th in its department
- Area
- 11.2 km²
- Density
- 2,366 per km²
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Nîmes
City in Gard
- Population
- 154,017 inhab.
- 21st in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 162 km²
- Density
- 952 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Castelnau-le-LezNîmes
| Criterion | Castelnau-le-Lez | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Nîmes5.8 times as high | 26,449 | 154,017 | More populous: Nîmes5.8 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Castelnau-le-Lez+18 pts | +19.3% | +1.5% | Stronger growth: Castelnau-le-Lez+18 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Castelnau-le-Lez+45 pts | +46.1% | +0.8% | Stronger growth: Castelnau-le-Lez+45 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Castelnau-le-Lez2.5 times as high | 2,366 | 952 | Denser: Castelnau-le-Lez2.5 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Nîmes+2.7 pts | 14.1% | 16.7% | More young people: Nîmes+2.7 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Nîmes+2.1 pts | 19.2% | 21.3% | More seniors: Nîmes+2.1 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Nîmes+0.11 | 1.88 | 1.99 | Larger households: Nîmes+0.11 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Castelnau-le-Lez | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez+81% | 3,829 | 2,120 | More expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez+81% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez+64% | 4,666 | 2,852 | More expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez+64% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez+10% | 16.1 | 14.6 | More expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez+10% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez+30% | 15.7 | 12.1 | More expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez+30% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Castelnau-le-Lez+6.4 pts | 46.2% | 39.8% | More homeowners: Castelnau-le-Lez+6.4 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Castelnau-le-Lez+5.3 pts | 34.2% | 28.9% | More houses: Castelnau-le-Lez+5.3 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Nîmes+5.4 pts | 19.6% | 24.9% | More social housing: Nîmes+5.4 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Nîmes+2.7 pts | 2.9% | 5.6% | More second homes: Nîmes+2.7 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Nîmes+5.9 pts | 5.1% | 11.1% | More vacant homes: Nîmes+5.9 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Castelnau-le-Lez+1.8 pt | 55.76% | 54.00% | Higher rate: Castelnau-le-Lez+1.8 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 | Castelnau-le-Lez | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Castelnau-le-Lez+35% | 28,200 | 20,830 | Higher: Castelnau-le-Lez+35% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Nîmes+18 pts | 14.7% | 32.4% | Higher: Nîmes+18 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Castelnau-le-Lez+59% | €40,251 | €25,247 | Higher: Castelnau-le-Lez+59% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Castelnau-le-Lez+18 pts | 55% | 37% | More taxpaying households: Castelnau-le-Lez+18 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Castelnau-le-Lez+12 pts | 78.9% | 67.0% | Higher: Castelnau-le-Lez+12 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Nîmes+7.7 pts | 10.4% | 18.0% | Higher: Nîmes+7.7 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Castelnau-le-Lez | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Julien Miro | Vincent Bouget | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Castelnau-le-Lez+2.7 pts | 96% | 93% | Better covered: Castelnau-le-Lez+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 | Castelnau-le-Lez | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Nîmes+73% | 48.4128 in total | 84.01,293 in total | More shops per capita: Nîmes+73% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+64% | 17.847 in total | 29.1448 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+64% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+26% | 37.499 in total | 47.0724 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+26% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+35% | 13.636 in total | 18.3282 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+35% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes4.1 times as high | 0.41 in total | 1.624 in total | More per capita: Nîmes4.1 times as high |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes3.0 times as high | 0.82 in total | 2.335 in total | More per capita: Nîmes3.0 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Nîmes+2 | 0 | 2 | More stations: Nîmes+2 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Castelnau-le-Lez | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Castelnau-le-Lez+59% | 6.1 | 3.9 | Better access: Castelnau-le-Lez+59% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Castelnau-le-Lez2.3 times as high | 23.462 in total | 10.3159 in total | More per capita: Castelnau-le-Lez2.3 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Castelnau-le-Lez2.7 times as high | 72.2191 in total | 26.8412 in total | More per capita: Castelnau-le-Lez2.7 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Castelnau-le-Lez+57% | 14.739 in total | 9.4145 in total | More per capita: Castelnau-le-Lez+57% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+55% | 2.36 in total | 3.554 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+55% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Nîmes+8 | 6 | 14 | More facilities: Nîmes+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 | Castelnau-le-Lez | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Nîmes+84 | 12 | 96 | More schools: Nîmes+84 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Nîmes+22 | 2 | 24 | More middle schools: Nîmes+22 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Nîmes+17 | 3 | 20 | More high schools: Nîmes+17 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Nîmes+30 | 2 | 32 | More facilities: Nîmes+30 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Castelnau-le-Lez | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Nîmes+4% | 7.8 | 8.1 | Higher rate: Nîmes+4% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nîmes+43% | 9.8 | 14.0 | Higher rate: Nîmes+43% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nîmes2.2 times as high | 2.2 | 4.9 | Higher rate: Nîmes2.2 times as high |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nîmes+13% | 2.4 | 2.7 | Higher rate: Nîmes+13% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nîmes+46% | 6.3 | 9.1 | Higher rate: Nîmes+46% |
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 | Castelnau-le-Lez | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Nîmes+0.1 °C | 15.5°C | 15.6°C | Warmer: Nîmes+0.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Castelnau-le-Lez+0.9% | 2,705 | 2,680 | Sunnier: Castelnau-le-Lez+0.9% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Nîmes+15% | 639 | 734 | Wetter: Nîmes+15% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Nîmes+7 days/year | 58 | 65 | More rainy days: Nîmes+7 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Castelnau-le-Lez+1 days/year | 21 | 20 | More frost days: Castelnau-le-Lez+1 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Nîmes+25 days/year | 34 | 59 | More hot days: Nîmes+25 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 | Castelnau-le-Lez | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Nîmes+11 | 20 | 31 | More declarations: Nîmes+11 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Low, with aggravating factors | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Castelnau-le-Lez | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Nîmes14 times as high | 11.2 | 162 | Larger: Nîmes14 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Nîmes+4 m | 40 m | 44 m | Higher: Nîmes+4 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Hérault (34) | Gard (30) | |
| Intercommunality | Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération de Nîmes Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Montpellier | Nîmes | |
| Functional area | Montpellier | Nîmes |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Castelnau-le-Lez vs Nîmes at a glance
| Criterion | Castelnau-le-Lez | Nîmes |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 26,449 | 154,017 |
| Change over 10 years | +46.1% | +0.8% |
| Density per km² | 2,366 | 952 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,829 | 2,120 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,666 | 2,852 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 16.1 | 14.6 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 55.76% | 54.00% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 28,200 | 20,830 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 10.4% | 18.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 93% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 6.1 | 3.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 7.8 | 8.1 |
| Average temperature | 15.5°C | 15.6°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,705 | 2,680 |
| Area km² | 11.2 | 162 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
Castelnau-le-Lez vs Nîmes: your questions
Which is the larger city, Castelnau-le-Lez or Nîmes?
By population, Nîmes: 154,017 inhabitants versus 26,449 for Castelnau-le-Lez (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Nîmes is the 21st largest city in France, Castelnau-le-Lez the 349th. By area, Nîmes is also the larger (162 km²).
How far is Castelnau-le-Lez from Nîmes?
Castelnau-le-Lez and Nîmes are 41 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Castelnau-le-Lez or Nîmes?
To buy an apartment, Castelnau-le-Lez is more expensive: €3,829 per m² (median price), versus €2,120 in Nîmes (+81%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Castelnau-le-Lez or Nîmes?
In Castelnau-le-Lez, half of the residents have a standard of living above €28,200 a year, versus €20,830 in Nîmes (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Castelnau-le-Lez or Nîmes?
Castelnau-le-Lez: 2,705 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 2,680 in Nîmes (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