2026 comparison
Castres (81) vs Toulouse: 2026 comparison
Toulouse has more inhabitants than Castres: 519,940 versus 43,800, or 12 times as many. Toulouse is both larger (118 km² versus 98.2 km²) and more densely populated (4,395 inhabitants per km² versus 446).
The median apartment price is higher in Toulouse: €3,295 per m² versus €1,667. The median standard of living is higher in Toulouse (€24,500 a year versus €23,620).
The two cities are 65 km apart as the crow flies.
© Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0
Castres
City in Tarn
- Population
- 43,800 inhab.
- 176th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 98.2 km²
- Density
- 446 per km²
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Toulouse
City in Haute-Garonne
- Population
- 519,940 inhab.
- 4th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 118 km²
- Density
- 4,395 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
CastresToulouse
| Criterion | Castres | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Toulouse12 times as high | 43,800 | 519,940 | More populous: Toulouse12 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Toulouse+4.1 pts | +1.7% | +5.7% | Stronger growth: Toulouse+4.1 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Toulouse+10 pts | +2.1% | +12.3% | Stronger growth: Toulouse+10 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Toulouse9.9 times as high | 446 | 4,395 | Denser: Toulouse9.9 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Castres+1.4 pt | 15.1% | 13.8% | More young people: Castres+1.4 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Castres+14 pts | 26.7% | 13.0% | More seniors: Castres+14 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Castres+0.19 | 1.97 | 1.78 | Larger households: Castres+0.19 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Castres | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Toulouse+98% | 1,667 | 3,295 | More expensive: Toulouse+98% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Toulouse2.4 times as high | 1,607 | 3,800 | More expensive: Toulouse2.4 times as high |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Toulouse+40% | 10.0 | 14.0 | More expensive: Toulouse+40% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Toulouse+61% | 8.0 | 12.9 | More expensive: Toulouse+61% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Castres+22 pts | 54.4% | 32.2% | More homeowners: Castres+22 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Castres+44 pts | 59.1% | 15.0% | More houses: Castres+44 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Toulouse+4.4 pts | 17.7% | 22.1% | More social housing: Toulouse+4.4 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Toulouse+1.0 pt | 3.0% | 4.0% | More second homes: Toulouse+1.0 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Castres+2.5 pts | 10.7% | 8.2% | More vacant homes: Castres+2.5 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Castres+12 pts | 61.38% | 49.67% | Higher rate: Castres+12 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 | Castres | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Toulouse+4% | 23,620 | 24,500 | Higher: Toulouse+4% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Toulouse+2.9 pts | 21.1% | 24.0% | Higher: Toulouse+2.9 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Toulouse+9% | €26,981 | €29,462 | Higher: Toulouse+9% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Toulouse+7.0 pts | 40% | 47% | More taxpaying households: Toulouse+7.0 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Toulouse+0.2 pt | 72.6% | 72.8% | Higher: Toulouse+0.2 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Castres+0.2 pt | 14.5% | 14.3% | Higher: Castres+0.2 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Castres | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Florian Azéma | Jean-Luc Moudenc | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | Rassemblement national | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Castres+3.7 pts | 97% | 93% | Better covered: Castres+3.7 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Castres | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Castres+74% | 98.6432 in total | 56.72,946 in total | More shops per capita: Castres+74% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Castres+36% | 26.0114 in total | 19.1995 in total | More per capita: Castres+36% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Toulouse+36% | 34.7152 in total | 47.32,460 in total | More per capita: Toulouse+36% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Castres+39% | 22.498 in total | 16.1838 in total | More per capita: Castres+39% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Castres2.1 times as high | 2.712 in total | 1.368 in total | More per capita: Castres2.1 times as high |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Castres+20% | 2.310 in total | 1.999 in total | More per capita: Castres+20% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Toulouse+9 | 1 | 10 | More stations: Toulouse+9 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Castres | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Toulouse+32% | 3.4 | 4.4 | Better access: Toulouse+32% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Toulouse+15% | 9.441 in total | 10.8559 in total | More per capita: Toulouse+15% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Toulouse+28% | 20.590 in total | 26.31,366 in total | More per capita: Toulouse+28% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Toulouse+2% | 9.140 in total | 9.3486 in total | More per capita: Toulouse+2% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Castres+17% | 3.415 in total | 2.9152 in total | More per capita: Castres+17% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Toulouse+32 | 9 | 41 | More facilities: Toulouse+32 |
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 | Castres | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Toulouse+193 | 28 | 221 | More schools: Toulouse+193 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Toulouse+43 | 8 | 51 | More middle schools: Toulouse+43 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Toulouse+54 | 10 | 64 | More high schools: Toulouse+54 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Toulouse+162 | 7 | 169 | More facilities: Toulouse+162 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Castres | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Castres+39% | 8.9 | 6.4 | Higher rate: Castres+39% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Toulouse2.5 times as high | 8.3 | 20.5 | Higher rate: Toulouse2.5 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Toulouse+19% | 4.2 | 5.0 | Higher rate: Toulouse+19% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Toulouse2.3 times as high | 0.9 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Toulouse2.3 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Toulouse+33% | 8.6 | 11.5 | Higher rate: Toulouse+33% |
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 | Castres | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Toulouse+0.4 °C | 13.8°C | 14.2°C | Warmer: Toulouse+0.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,075 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Castres+43% | 896 | 627 | Wetter: Castres+43% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Castres+13 days/year | 109 | 96 | More rainy days: Castres+13 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Castres+6 days/year | 32 | 27 | More frost days: Castres+6 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Castres+5 days/year | 38 | 33 | More hot days: Castres+5 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 | Castres | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Toulouse+12 | 36 | 48 | More declarations: Toulouse+12 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Toulouse+2 | 2 | 4 | More plans: Toulouse+2 |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Castres | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Toulouse+21% | 98.2 | 118 | Larger: Toulouse+21% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Castres+28 m | 171 m | 143 m | Higher: Castres+28 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Large urban centre | |
| Department | Tarn (81) | Haute-Garonne (31) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération de Castres Mazamet | Toulouse Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Castres | Toulouse | |
| Functional area | Castres | Toulouse |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Castres (81) vs Toulouse at a glance
| Criterion | Castres | Toulouse |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 43,800 | 519,940 |
| Change over 10 years | +2.1% | +12.3% |
| Density per km² | 446 | 4,395 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,667 | 3,295 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,607 | 3,800 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 10.0 | 14.0 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 61.38% | 49.67% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 23,620 | 24,500 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 14.5% | 14.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 93% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.4 | 4.4 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 8.9 | 6.4 |
| Average temperature | 13.8°C | 14.2°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,075 |
| Area km² | 98.2 | 118 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Castres (81) vs Toulouse: your questions
Which is the larger city, Castres or Toulouse?
By population, Toulouse: 519,940 inhabitants versus 43,800 for Castres (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Toulouse is the 4th largest city in France, Castres the 176th. By area, Toulouse is also the larger (118 km²).
How far is Castres from Toulouse?
Castres and Toulouse are 65 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Castres or Toulouse?
To buy an apartment, Toulouse is more expensive: €3,295 per m² (median price), versus €1,667 in Castres (+98%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Castres or Toulouse?
In Toulouse, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,500 a year, versus €23,620 in Castres (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Castres and Toulouse in the same department?
No: Castres is in Tarn (81), and Toulouse in Haute-Garonne (31), both in the Occitanie region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures