2026 comparison
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs Mérignac (33): 2026 comparison
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin has more inhabitants than Mérignac: 80,317 versus 78,946, or 1.7% more. Cherbourg-en-Cotentin covers a larger area (68.5 km² versus 48.2 km²), but Mérignac is more densely populated: 1,639 inhabitants per km² versus 1,172.
The median apartment price is higher in Mérignac: €3,524 per m² versus €2,192. The median standard of living is higher in Mérignac (€27,750 a year versus €25,450).
The two cities are 538 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
© Michael Specht, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Mérignac
City in Gironde
- Population
- 78,946 inhab.
- 64th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 48.2 km²
- Density
- 1,639 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Cherbourg-en-CotentinMérignac
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Mérignac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+2% | 80,317 | 78,946 | More populous: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+2% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Mérignac+11 pts | −1.1% | +10.3% | Stronger growth: Mérignac+11 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Mérignac+18 pts | −3.4% | +14.2% | Stronger growth: Mérignac+18 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Mérignac+40% | 1,172 | 1,639 | Denser: Mérignac+40% |
| Under 15More young people: Mérignac+1.0 pt | 15.1% | 16.1% | More young people: Mérignac+1.0 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+4.2 pts | 21.9% | 17.7% | More seniors: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+4.2 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Mérignac+0.07 | 1.90 | 1.97 | Larger households: Mérignac+0.07 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Mérignac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Mérignac+61% | 2,192 | 3,524 | More expensive: Mérignac+61% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Mérignac+85% | 2,296 | 4,248 | More expensive: Mérignac+85% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Mérignac+17% | 12.6 | 14.8 | More expensive: Mérignac+17% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Mérignac+37% | 10.5 | 14.4 | More expensive: Mérignac+37% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Mérignac+2.0 pts | 44.6% | 46.6% | More homeowners: Mérignac+2.0 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+16 pts | 50.2% | 34.5% | More houses: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+16 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+18 pts | 41.2% | 23.1% | More social housing: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+18 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Mérignac+0.7 pt | 3.6% | 4.3% | More second homes: Mérignac+0.7 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+2.3 pts | 5.9% | 3.6% | More vacant homes: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+2.3 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5.3 pts | 52.57% | 47.24% | Higher rate: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5.3 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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Mérignac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Mérignac+9% | 25,450 | 27,750 | Higher: Mérignac+9% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+1.3 pt | 14.9% | 13.6% | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+1.3 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Mérignac+15% | €29,269 | €33,598 | Higher: Mérignac+15% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Mérignac+6.1 pts | 49% | 56% | More taxpaying households: Mérignac+6.1 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Mérignac+4.4 pts | 75.5% | 79.9% | Higher: Mérignac+4.4 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.3 pt | 11.0% | 10.7% | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.3 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Mérignac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Camille Margueritte | Thierry Trijoulet | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Mérignac+3.7 pts | 95% | 99% | Better covered: Mérignac+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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Mérignac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 66.4533 in total | 66.4524 in total | Tie |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+42% | 19.3155 in total | 13.6107 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+42% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Mérignac+50% | 22.7182 in total | 33.9268 in total | More per capita: Mérignac+50% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin2.2 times as high | 19.4156 in total | 8.970 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin2.2 times as high |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+77% | 2.218 in total | 1.310 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+77% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+19% | 2.923 in total | 2.419 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+19% |
| 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 | Mérignac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Mérignac+22% | 3.4 | 4.2 | Better access: Mérignac+22% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Mérignac+73% | 8.064 in total | 13.8109 in total | More per capita: Mérignac+73% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Mérignac3.6 times as high | 9.274 in total | 32.9260 in total | More per capita: Mérignac3.6 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Mérignac2.2 times as high | 4.536 in total | 9.877 in total | More per capita: Mérignac2.2 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+7% | 3.024 in total | 2.822 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+7% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+9 | 11 | 2 | More facilities: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+9 |
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 | Mérignac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+18 | 47 | 29 | More schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+18 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8 | 13 | 5 | More middle schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8 |
| 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+9 | 13 | 4 | More facilities: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+9 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Mérignac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Mérignac4.6 times as high | 1.8 | 8.4 | Higher rate: Mérignac4.6 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Mérignac+50% | 6.3 | 9.4 | Higher rate: Mérignac+50% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+37% | 2.8 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+37% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Mérignac3.7 times as high | 0.6 | 2.3 | Higher rate: Mérignac3.7 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Mérignac+11% | 9.0 | 10.0 | Higher rate: Mérignac+11% |
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 | Mérignac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Mérignac+2.1 °C | 12.1°C | 14.2°C | Warmer: Mérignac+2.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,070 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+4% | 964 | 925 | Wetter: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+4% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+12 days/year | 135 | 123 | More rainy days: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+12 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Mérignac+19 days/year | 5 | 23 | More frost days: Mérignac+19 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Mérignac+25 days/year | 0 | 26 | More hot days: Mérignac+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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Mérignac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Mérignac+30 | 13 | 43 | More declarations: Mérignac+30 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+1 | 1 | 0 | More plans: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+1 |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Mérignac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+42% | 68.5 | 48.2 | Larger: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+42% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Mérignac+35 m | 6 m | 41 m | Higher: Mérignac+35 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Manche (50) | Gironde (33) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération du Cotentin | Bordeaux Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Bordeaux | |
| Functional area | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Bordeaux |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs Mérignac (33) at a glance
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Mérignac |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 80,317 | 78,946 |
| Change over 10 years | −3.4% | +14.2% |
| Density per km² | 1,172 | 1,639 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,192 | 3,524 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,296 | 4,248 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.6 | 14.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 52.57% | 47.24% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,450 | 27,750 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.0% | 10.7% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 99% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.4 | 4.2 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 1.8 | 8.4 |
| Average temperature | 12.1°C | 14.2°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,070 |
| Area km² | 68.5 | 48.2 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs Mérignac (33): your questions
Which is the larger city, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or Mérignac?
By population, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin: 80,317 inhabitants versus 78,946 for Mérignac (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is the 63rd largest city in France, Mérignac the 64th. By area, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is also the larger (68.5 km²).
How far is Cherbourg-en-Cotentin from Mérignac?
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and Mérignac are 538 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or Mérignac?
To buy an apartment, Mérignac is more expensive: €3,524 per m² (median price), versus €2,192 in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (+61%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or Mérignac?
In Mérignac, half of the residents have a standard of living above €27,750 a year, versus €25,450 in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and Mérignac in the same department?
No: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is in Manche (50), in the Normandy region, and Mérignac in Gironde (33), in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures