2026 comparison
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs Pau: 2026 comparison
Pau has more inhabitants than Cherbourg-en-Cotentin: 81,891 versus 80,317, or 2.0% more. Cherbourg-en-Cotentin covers a larger area (68.5 km² versus 31.5 km²), but Pau is more densely populated: 2,599 inhabitants per km² versus 1,172.
The median apartment price is higher in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin: €2,192 per m² versus €2,085. The median standard of living is higher in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (€25,450 a year versus €23,320).
The two cities are 708 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
Pau
City in Pyrénées-Atlantiques
FPyrénées-Atlantiques64Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Population
- 81,891 inhab.
- 61st in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 31.5 km²
- Density
- 2,599 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Cherbourg-en-CotentinPau
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Pau+2% | 80,317 | 81,891 | More populous: Pau+2% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Pau+6.6 pts | −1.1% | +5.5% | Stronger growth: Pau+6.6 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Pau+7.1 pts | −3.4% | +3.7% | Stronger growth: Pau+7.1 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Pau2.2 times as high | 1,172 | 2,599 | Denser: Pau2.2 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+2.0 pts | 15.1% | 13.1% | More young people: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+2.0 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Pau+1.1 pt | 21.9% | 22.9% | More seniors: Pau+1.1 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.19 | 1.90 | 1.71 | Larger households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.19 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5% | 2,192 | 2,085 | More expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Pau+10% | 2,296 | 2,536 | More expensive: Pau+10% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5% | 12.6 | 12.0 | More expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Pau+11% | 10.5 | 11.6 | More expensive: Pau+11% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+7.1 pts | 44.6% | 37.5% | More homeowners: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+7.1 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+34 pts | 50.2% | 16.5% | More houses: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+34 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+16 pts | 41.2% | 25.5% | More social housing: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+16 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.2 pt | 3.6% | 3.3% | More second homes: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.2 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Pau+7.8 pts | 5.9% | 13.7% | More vacant homes: Pau+7.8 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8.0 pts | 52.57% | 44.53% | Higher rate: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8.0 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 | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+9% | 25,450 | 23,320 | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+9% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Pau+8.8 pts | 14.9% | 23.7% | Higher: Pau+8.8 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+10% | €29,269 | €26,675 | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+10% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+6.8 pts | 49% | 43% | More taxpaying households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+6.8 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5.0 pts | 75.5% | 70.6% | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5.0 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Pau+5.2 pts | 11.0% | 16.2% | Higher: Pau+5.2 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Camille Margueritte | Jérôme Marbot | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Pau+3.6 pts | 95% | 99% | Better covered: Pau+3.6 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 | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Pau+14% | 66.4533 in total | 75.3617 in total | More shops per capita: Pau+14% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pau+23% | 19.3155 in total | 23.8195 in total | More per capita: Pau+23% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pau2.1 times as high | 22.7182 in total | 47.6390 in total | More per capita: Pau2.1 times as high |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pau+36% | 19.4156 in total | 26.4216 in total | More per capita: Pau+36% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pau+20% | 2.218 in total | 2.722 in total | More per capita: Pau+20% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+17% | 2.923 in total | 2.420 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+17% |
| 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 | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Pau+38% | 3.4 | 4.8 | Better access: Pau+38% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pau+26% | 8.064 in total | 10.082 in total | More per capita: Pau+26% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pau3.6 times as high | 9.274 in total | 33.1271 in total | More per capita: Pau3.6 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pau2.2 times as high | 4.536 in total | 9.679 in total | More per capita: Pau2.2 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pau+31% | 3.024 in total | 3.932 in total | More per capita: Pau+31% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+2 | 11 | 9 | More facilities: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+13 | 47 | 34 | More schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+13 |
| Middle schoolsTie | 13 | 13 | Tie |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Pau+3 | 10 | 13 | More high schools: Pau+3 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Pau+13 | 13 | 26 | More facilities: Pau+13 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Pau2.3 times as high | 1.8 | 4.2 | Higher rate: Pau2.3 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Pau+77% | 6.3 | 11.1 | Higher rate: Pau+77% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Pau+89% | 2.8 | 5.4 | Higher rate: Pau+89% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Pau2.7 times as high | 0.6 | 1.7 | Higher rate: Pau2.7 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Pau+16% | 9.0 | 10.4 | Higher rate: Pau+16% |
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 | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Pau+1.6 °C | 12.1°C | 13.7°C | Warmer: Pau+1.6 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,910 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Pau+13% | 964 | 1,094 | Wetter: Pau+13% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8 days/year | 135 | 127 | More rainy days: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Pau+24 days/year | 5 | 29 | More frost days: Pau+24 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Pau+19 days/year | 0 | 20 | More hot days: Pau+19 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 | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Pau+9 | 13 | 22 | More declarations: Pau+9 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low, with aggravating factors |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin2.2 times as high | 68.5 | 31.5 | Larger: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin2.2 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Pau+200 m | 6 m | 206 m | Higher: Pau+200 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Manche (50) | Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération du Cotentin | Communauté d'agglomération Pau Béarn Pyrénées | |
| Urban unit | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Pau | |
| Functional area | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Pau |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs Pau at a glance
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Pau |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 80,317 | 81,891 |
| Change over 10 years | −3.4% | +3.7% |
| Density per km² | 1,172 | 2,599 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,192 | 2,085 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,296 | 2,536 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.6 | 12.0 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 52.57% | 44.53% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,450 | 23,320 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.0% | 16.2% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 99% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.4 | 4.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 1.8 | 4.2 |
| Average temperature | 12.1°C | 13.7°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,910 |
| Area km² | 68.5 | 31.5 |
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FAQ
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs Pau: your questions
Which is the larger city, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or Pau?
By population, Pau: 81,891 inhabitants versus 80,317 for Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Pau is the 61st 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 Pau?
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and Pau are 708 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or Pau?
To buy an apartment, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is more expensive: €2,192 per m² (median price), versus €2,085 in Pau (+5%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or Pau?
In Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,450 a year, versus €23,320 in Pau (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and Pau in the same department?
No: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is in Manche (50), in the Normandy region, and Pau in Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64), in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures