2026 comparison
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs Le Havre: 2026 comparison
Le Havre has more inhabitants than Cherbourg-en-Cotentin: 168,588 versus 80,317, or 2.1 times as many. Cherbourg-en-Cotentin covers a larger area (68.5 km² versus 47.0 km²), but Le Havre is more densely populated: 3,591 inhabitants per km² versus 1,172.
The median apartment price is higher in Le Havre: €2,326 per m² versus €2,192. The median standard of living is higher in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (€25,450 a year versus €22,480).
The two cities are 128 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
Le Havre
City in Seine-Maritime
- Population
- 168,588 inhab.
- 15th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 47.0 km²
- Density
- 3,591 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Cherbourg-en-CotentinLe Havre
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Le Havre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Le Havre2.1 times as high | 80,317 | 168,588 | More populous: Le Havre2.1 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsSmaller decline: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.7 pt | −1.1% | −1.8% | Smaller decline: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.7 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsSmaller decline: Le Havre+0.2 pt | −3.4% | −3.1% | Smaller decline: Le Havre+0.2 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Le Havre3.1 times as high | 1,172 | 3,591 | Denser: Le Havre3.1 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Le Havre+2.8 pts | 15.1% | 17.8% | More young people: Le Havre+2.8 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+1.0 pt | 21.9% | 20.9% | More seniors: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+1.0 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Le Havre+0.08 | 1.90 | 1.98 | Larger households: Le Havre+0.08 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Le Havre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Le Havre+6% | 2,192 | 2,326 | More expensive: Le Havre+6% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Le Havre+6% | 2,296 | 2,429 | More expensive: Le Havre+6% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+2% | 12.6 | 12.4 | More expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+2% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Le Havre+12% | 10.5 | 11.8 | More expensive: Le Havre+12% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5.7 pts | 44.6% | 38.8% | More homeowners: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5.7 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+24 pts | 50.2% | 25.8% | More houses: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+24 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+1.0 pt | 41.2% | 40.3% | More social housing: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+1.0 pt |
| Second homesMore second homes: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.9 pt | 3.6% | 2.6% | More second homes: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.9 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Le Havre+5.0 pts | 5.9% | 10.9% | More vacant homes: Le Havre+5.0 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Le Havre+1.9 pt | 52.57% | 54.47% | Higher rate: Le Havre+1.9 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 | Le Havre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+13% | 25,450 | 22,480 | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+13% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Le Havre+9.3 pts | 14.9% | 24.2% | Higher: Le Havre+9.3 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+14% | €29,269 | €25,768 | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+14% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+7.5 pts | 49% | 42% | More taxpaying households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+7.5 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+4.7 pts | 75.5% | 70.9% | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+4.7 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Le Havre+7.5 pts | 11.0% | 18.5% | Higher: Le Havre+7.5 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Le Havre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Camille Margueritte | Edouard Philippe | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | union of the centre | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Le Havre+1.7 pt | 95% | 97% | Better covered: Le Havre+1.7 pt |
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 | Le Havre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+17% | 66.4533 in total | 56.5953 in total | More shops per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+17% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Havre+5% | 19.3155 in total | 20.2341 in total | More per capita: Le Havre+5% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Havre+58% | 22.7182 in total | 35.8603 in total | More per capita: Le Havre+58% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+20% | 19.4156 in total | 16.1272 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+20% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8% | 2.218 in total | 2.135 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+93% | 2.923 in total | 1.525 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+93% |
| 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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Le Havre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Le Havre+8% | 3.4 | 3.7 | Better access: Le Havre+8% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Havre+14% | 8.064 in total | 9.1153 in total | More per capita: Le Havre+14% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Havre+94% | 9.274 in total | 17.9302 in total | More per capita: Le Havre+94% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Havre+22% | 4.536 in total | 5.592 in total | More per capita: Le Havre+22% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+12% | 3.024 in total | 2.745 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+12% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Le Havre+3 | 11 | 14 | More facilities: Le Havre+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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Le Havre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Le Havre+53 | 47 | 100 | More schools: Le Havre+53 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Le Havre+11 | 13 | 24 | More middle schools: Le Havre+11 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Le Havre+10 | 10 | 20 | More high schools: Le Havre+10 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Le Havre+14 | 13 | 27 | More facilities: Le Havre+14 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Le Havre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Le Havre3.1 times as high | 1.8 | 5.6 | Higher rate: Le Havre3.1 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Le Havre+63% | 6.3 | 10.2 | Higher rate: Le Havre+63% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Le Havre+79% | 2.8 | 5.1 | Higher rate: Le Havre+79% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Le Havre2.7 times as high | 0.6 | 1.7 | Higher rate: Le Havre2.7 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Le Havre+15% | 9.0 | 10.3 | Higher rate: Le Havre+15% |
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 | Le Havre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.3 °C | 12.1°C | 11.8°C | Warmer: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.3 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,651 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+22% | 964 | 790 | Wetter: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+22% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+7 days/year | 135 | 128 | More rainy days: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+7 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Le Havre+11 days/year | 5 | 15 | More frost days: Le Havre+11 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Le Havre+2 days/year | 0 | 3 | More hot days: Le Havre+2 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 | Le Havre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Le Havre+12 | 13 | 25 | More declarations: Le Havre+12 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Le Havre+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Le Havre+1 |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Le Havre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+46% | 68.5 | 47.0 | Larger: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+46% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+1 m | 6 m | 5 m | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+1 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Manche (50) | Seine-Maritime (76) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération du Cotentin | Communauté urbaine Le Havre Seine Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Le Havre | |
| Functional area | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Le Havre |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs Le Havre at a glance
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Le Havre |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 80,317 | 168,588 |
| Change over 10 years | −3.4% | −3.1% |
| Density per km² | 1,172 | 3,591 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,192 | 2,326 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,296 | 2,429 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.6 | 12.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 52.57% | 54.47% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,450 | 22,480 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.0% | 18.5% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.4 | 3.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 1.8 | 5.6 |
| Average temperature | 12.1°C | 11.8°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,651 |
| Area km² | 68.5 | 47.0 |
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FAQ
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs Le Havre: your questions
Which is the larger city, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or Le Havre?
By population, Le Havre: 168,588 inhabitants versus 80,317 for Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Le Havre is the 15th largest city in France, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin the 63rd. By area, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is the larger (68.5 km²).
How far is Cherbourg-en-Cotentin from Le Havre?
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and Le Havre are 128 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or Le Havre?
To buy an apartment, Le Havre is more expensive: €2,326 per m² (median price), versus €2,192 in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (+6%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or Le Havre?
In Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,450 a year, versus €22,480 in Le Havre (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and Le Havre in the same department?
No: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is in Manche (50), and Le Havre in Seine-Maritime (76), both in the Normandy region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures