2026 comparison
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs Hérouville-Saint-Clair: 2026 comparison
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin has more inhabitants than Hérouville-Saint-Clair: 80,317 versus 23,672, or 3.4 times as many. Cherbourg-en-Cotentin covers a larger area (68.5 km² versus 10.6 km²), but Hérouville-Saint-Clair is more densely populated: 2,225 inhabitants per km² versus 1,172.
The median apartment price is higher in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin: €2,192 per m² versus €1,857. The median standard of living is higher in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (€25,450 a year versus €20,270).
The two cities are 105 km apart as the crow flies.
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
City in Manche
- Population
- 80,317 inhab.
- 63rd in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 68.5 km²
- Density
- 1,172 per km²
© Pascal Radigue, CC BY-SA 3.0
Hérouville-Saint-Clair
City in Calvados
- Population
- 23,672 inhab.
- 389th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 10.6 km²
- Density
- 2,225 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Cherbourg-en-CotentinHérouville-Saint-Clair
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Hérouville-Saint-Clair | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin3.4 times as high | 80,317 | 23,672 | More populous: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin3.4 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+4.8 pts | −1.1% | +3.7% | Stronger growth: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+4.8 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+13 pts | −3.4% | +9.7% | Stronger growth: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+13 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+90% | 1,172 | 2,225 | Denser: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+90% |
| Under 15More young people: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+3.3 pts | 15.1% | 18.3% | More young people: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+3.3 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+4.4 pts | 21.9% | 17.5% | More seniors: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+4.4 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+0.12 | 1.90 | 2.02 | Larger households: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+0.12 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Hérouville-Saint-Clair | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+18% | 2,192 | 1,857 | More expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+18% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+16% | 2,296 | 2,653 | More expensive: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+16% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+3% | 12.6 | 12.2 | More expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+3% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+17% | 10.5 | 12.3 | More expensive: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+17% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+16 pts | 44.6% | 28.7% | More homeowners: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+16 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+30 pts | 50.2% | 20.4% | More houses: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+30 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+19 pts | 41.2% | 60.6% | More social housing: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+19 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+2.7 pts | 3.6% | 0.9% | More second homes: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+2.7 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.7 pt | 5.9% | 5.2% | More vacant homes: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.7 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+0.6 pt | 52.57% | 53.16% | Higher rate: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+0.6 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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Hérouville-Saint-Clair | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+26% | 25,450 | 20,270 | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+26% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+15 pts | 14.9% | 30.0% | Higher: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+15 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+36% | €29,269 | €21,524 | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+36% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+14 pts | 49% | 35% | More taxpaying households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+14 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5.3 pts | 75.5% | 70.2% | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5.3 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+8.8 pts | 11.0% | 19.8% | Higher: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+8.8 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Hérouville-Saint-Clair | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Camille Margueritte | Rodolphe Thomas | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | union of the centre | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+4.3 pts | 95% | 99% | Better covered: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+4.3 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Hérouville-Saint-Clair | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+28% | 66.4533 in total | 52.0123 in total | More shops per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+28% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+58% | 19.3155 in total | 12.329 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+58% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+1% | 22.7182 in total | 22.453 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+1% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+59% | 19.4156 in total | 30.873 in total | More per capita: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+59% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+13% | 2.218 in total | 2.56 in total | More per capita: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+13% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+36% | 2.923 in total | 2.15 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+36% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+1 | 1 | 0 | More stations: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Hérouville-Saint-Clair | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Hérouville-Saint-Clair2.0 times as high | 3.4 | 6.9 | Better access: Hérouville-Saint-Clair2.0 times as high |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Hérouville-Saint-Clair2.6 times as high | 8.064 in total | 20.749 in total | More per capita: Hérouville-Saint-Clair2.6 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Hérouville-Saint-Clair2.1 times as high | 9.274 in total | 19.446 in total | More per capita: Hérouville-Saint-Clair2.1 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+4.5 | 4.536 in total | 0.00 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+4.5 |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+27% | 3.024 in total | 3.89 in total | More per capita: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+27% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5 | 11 | 6 | More facilities: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5 |
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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Hérouville-Saint-Clair | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+37 | 47 | 10 | More schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+37 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+9 | 13 | 4 | More middle schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+9 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8 | 10 | 2 | More high schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+6 | 13 | 7 | More facilities: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+6 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Hérouville-Saint-Clair | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+78% | 1.8 | 3.3 | Higher rate: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+78% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+6% | 6.3 | 6.6 | Higher rate: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+6% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+6% | 2.8 | 3.0 | Higher rate: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+6% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+60% | 0.6 | 1.0 | Higher rate: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+60% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+64% | 9.0 | 5.5 | Higher rate: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+64% |
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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Hérouville-Saint-Clair | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.6 °C | 12.1°C | 11.5°C | Warmer: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.6 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,746 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+30% | 964 | 740 | Wetter: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+30% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+9 days/year | 135 | 126 | More rainy days: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+9 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+24 days/year | 5 | 29 | More frost days: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+24 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+4 days/year | 0 | 4 | More hot days: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+4 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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Hérouville-Saint-Clair | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+4 | 13 | 9 | More declarations: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+4 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Hérouville-Saint-Clair | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin6.4 times as high | 68.5 | 10.6 | Larger: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin6.4 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+41 m | 6 m | 48 m | Higher: Hérouville-Saint-Clair+41 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Manche (50) | Calvados (14) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération du Cotentin | Communauté urbaine Caen la Mer | |
| Urban unit | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Caen | |
| Functional area | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Caen |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs Hérouville-Saint-Clair at a glance
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Hérouville-Saint-Clair |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 80,317 | 23,672 |
| Change over 10 years | −3.4% | +9.7% |
| Density per km² | 1,172 | 2,225 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,192 | 1,857 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,296 | 2,653 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.6 | 12.2 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 52.57% | 53.16% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,450 | 20,270 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.0% | 19.8% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 99% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.4 | 6.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 1.8 | 3.3 |
| Average temperature | 12.1°C | 11.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,746 |
| Area km² | 68.5 | 10.6 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs Hérouville-Saint-Clair: your questions
Which is the larger city, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or Hérouville-Saint-Clair?
By population, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin: 80,317 inhabitants versus 23,672 for Hérouville-Saint-Clair (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is the 63rd largest city in France, Hérouville-Saint-Clair the 389th. By area, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is also the larger (68.5 km²).
How far is Cherbourg-en-Cotentin from Hérouville-Saint-Clair?
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and Hérouville-Saint-Clair are 105 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or Hérouville-Saint-Clair?
To buy an apartment, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is more expensive: €2,192 per m² (median price), versus €1,857 in Hérouville-Saint-Clair (+18%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or Hérouville-Saint-Clair?
In Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,450 a year, versus €20,270 in Hérouville-Saint-Clair (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and Hérouville-Saint-Clair in the same department?
No: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is in Manche (50), and Hérouville-Saint-Clair in Calvados (14), both in the Normandy region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures