2026 comparison
Castelnau-le-Lez vs Sète: 2026 comparison
Sète has more inhabitants than Castelnau-le-Lez: 45,901 versus 26,449, or 74% more. Sète covers a larger area (24.2 km² versus 11.2 km²), but Castelnau-le-Lez is more densely populated: 2,366 inhabitants per km² versus 1,896.
The median apartment price is higher in Castelnau-le-Lez: €3,829 per m² versus €3,273. The median standard of living is higher in Castelnau-le-Lez (€28,200 a year versus €22,740).
The two cities are 35 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
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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Sète
City in Hérault
- Population
- 45,901 inhab.
- 160th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 24.2 km²
- Density
- 1,896 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Castelnau-le-LezSète
| Criterion | Castelnau-le-Lez | Sète | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Sète+74% | 26,449 | 45,901 | More populous: Sète+74% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Castelnau-le-Lez+16 pts | +19.3% | +3.8% | Stronger growth: Castelnau-le-Lez+16 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Castelnau-le-Lez+44 pts | +46.1% | +2.4% | Stronger growth: Castelnau-le-Lez+44 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Castelnau-le-Lez+25% | 2,366 | 1,896 | Denser: Castelnau-le-Lez+25% |
| Under 15More young people: Castelnau-le-Lez+1.5 pt | 14.1% | 12.5% | More young people: Castelnau-le-Lez+1.5 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Sète+14 pts | 19.2% | 33.6% | More seniors: Sète+14 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Castelnau-le-Lez+0.07 | 1.88 | 1.81 | Larger households: Castelnau-le-Lez+0.07 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Castelnau-le-Lez | Sète | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez+17% | 3,829 | 3,273 | More expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez+17% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez+3% | 4,666 | 4,515 | More expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez+3% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez+19% | 16.1 | 13.5 | More expensive: Castelnau-le-Lez+19% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Sète+4% | 15.7 | 16.4 | More expensive: Sète+4% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Sète+1.3 pt | 46.2% | 47.5% | More homeowners: Sète+1.3 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Castelnau-le-Lez+16 pts | 34.2% | 18.0% | More houses: Castelnau-le-Lez+16 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Sète+1.1 pt | 19.6% | 20.7% | More social housing: Sète+1.1 pt |
| Second homesMore second homes: Sète+18 pts | 2.9% | 21.4% | More second homes: Sète+18 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Sète+0.4 pt | 5.1% | 5.6% | More vacant homes: Sète+0.4 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Sète+8.9 pts | 55.76% | 64.67% | Higher rate: Sète+8.9 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 | Castelnau-le-Lez | Sète | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Castelnau-le-Lez+24% | 28,200 | 22,740 | Higher: Castelnau-le-Lez+24% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Sète+11 pts | 14.7% | 25.6% | Higher: Sète+11 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Castelnau-le-Lez+46% | €40,251 | €27,485 | Higher: Castelnau-le-Lez+46% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Castelnau-le-Lez+14 pts | 55% | 41% | More taxpaying households: Castelnau-le-Lez+14 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Castelnau-le-Lez+11 pts | 78.9% | 67.9% | Higher: Castelnau-le-Lez+11 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Sète+6.7 pts | 10.4% | 17.1% | Higher: Sète+6.7 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Castelnau-le-Lez | Sète | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Julien Miro | Hervé Marquès | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Sète+1.2 pt | 96% | 97% | Better covered: Sète+1.2 pt |
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 | Sète | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Sète+86% | 48.4128 in total | 90.0413 in total | More shops per capita: Sète+86% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Sète+85% | 17.847 in total | 32.9151 in total | More per capita: Sète+85% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Sète+87% | 37.499 in total | 69.9321 in total | More per capita: Sète+87% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Sète+22% | 13.636 in total | 16.676 in total | More per capita: Sète+22% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Sète4.6 times as high | 0.41 in total | 1.78 in total | More per capita: Sète4.6 times as high |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Sète4.0 times as high | 0.82 in total | 3.114 in total | More per capita: Sète4.0 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Sète+1 | 0 | 1 | More stations: Sète+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Castelnau-le-Lez | Sète | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Castelnau-le-Lez+27% | 6.1 | 4.8 | Better access: Castelnau-le-Lez+27% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Castelnau-le-Lez+92% | 23.462 in total | 12.256 in total | More per capita: Castelnau-le-Lez+92% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Castelnau-le-Lez2.8 times as high | 72.2191 in total | 26.1120 in total | More per capita: Castelnau-le-Lez2.8 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Castelnau-le-Lez2.3 times as high | 14.739 in total | 6.530 in total | More per capita: Castelnau-le-Lez2.3 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Sète2.1 times as high | 2.36 in total | 4.822 in total | More per capita: Sète2.1 times as high |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Sète+2 | 6 | 8 | More facilities: Sète+2 |
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 | Sète | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Sète+12 | 12 | 24 | More schools: Sète+12 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Sète+3 | 2 | 5 | More middle schools: Sète+3 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Sète+4 | 3 | 7 | More high schools: Sète+4 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Sète+3 | 2 | 5 | More facilities: Sète+3 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Castelnau-le-Lez | Sète | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Castelnau-le-Lez+84% | 7.8 | 4.2 | Higher rate: Castelnau-le-Lez+84% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Sète+45% | 9.8 | 14.2 | Higher rate: Sète+45% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Sète2.3 times as high | 2.2 | 5.1 | Higher rate: Sète2.3 times as high |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Castelnau-le-Lez+11% | 2.4 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Castelnau-le-Lez+11% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Sète+85% | 6.3 | 11.6 | Higher rate: Sète+85% |
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 | Sète | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Sète+0.4 °C | 15.5°C | 15.9°C | Warmer: Sète+0.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearTie | 2,705 | 2,705 | Tie |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Castelnau-le-Lez+18% | 639 | 543 | Wetter: Castelnau-le-Lez+18% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Castelnau-le-Lez+4 days/year | 58 | 54 | More rainy days: Castelnau-le-Lez+4 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Castelnau-le-Lez+17 days/year | 21 | 5 | More frost days: Castelnau-le-Lez+17 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Castelnau-le-Lez+15 days/year | 34 | 20 | More hot days: Castelnau-le-Lez+15 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 | Sète | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Castelnau-le-Lez+10 | 20 | 10 | More declarations: Castelnau-le-Lez+10 |
| 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 | Sète | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Sète2.2 times as high | 11.2 | 24.2 | Larger: Sète2.2 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Castelnau-le-Lez+35 m | 40 m | 5 m | Higher: Castelnau-le-Lez+35 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Hérault (34) | Hérault (34) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération Sète Agglopôle Méditerranée | |
| Urban unit | Montpellier | Sète | |
| Functional area | Montpellier | Sète |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Castelnau-le-Lez vs Sète at a glance
| Criterion | Castelnau-le-Lez | Sète |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 26,449 | 45,901 |
| Change over 10 years | +46.1% | +2.4% |
| Density per km² | 2,366 | 1,896 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,829 | 3,273 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,666 | 4,515 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 16.1 | 13.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 55.76% | 64.67% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 28,200 | 22,740 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 10.4% | 17.1% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 6.1 | 4.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 7.8 | 4.2 |
| Average temperature | 15.5°C | 15.9°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,705 | 2,705 |
| Area km² | 11.2 | 24.2 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Castelnau-le-Lez vs Sète: your questions
Which is the larger city, Castelnau-le-Lez or Sète?
By population, Sète: 45,901 inhabitants versus 26,449 for Castelnau-le-Lez (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Sète is the 160th largest city in France, Castelnau-le-Lez the 349th. By area, Sète is also the larger (24.2 km²).
How far is Castelnau-le-Lez from Sète?
Castelnau-le-Lez and Sète are 35 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Hérault).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Castelnau-le-Lez or Sète?
To buy an apartment, Castelnau-le-Lez is more expensive: €3,829 per m² (median price), versus €3,273 in Sète (+17%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Castelnau-le-Lez or Sète?
In Castelnau-le-Lez, half of the residents have a standard of living above €28,200 a year, versus €22,740 in Sète (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Castelnau-le-Lez and Sète in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Hérault (34), in the Occitanie region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures