2026 comparison
Clermont-Ferrand vs Le Mans: 2026 comparison
Le Mans has more inhabitants than Clermont-Ferrand: 148,876 versus 148,795, or 0.1% more. Le Mans covers a larger area (52.8 km² versus 42.7 km²), but Clermont-Ferrand is more densely populated: 3,487 inhabitants per km² versus 2,819.
The median apartment price is higher in Clermont-Ferrand: €2,143 per m² versus €1,875. The median standard of living is higher in Le Mans (€23,610 a year versus €22,640).
The two cities are 330 km apart as the crow flies.
Clermont-Ferrand
City in Puy-de-Dôme
FPuy-de-Dôme63Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- Population
- 148,795 inhab.
- 25th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 42.7 km²
- Density
- 3,487 per km²
Le Mans
City in Sarthe
- Population
- 148,876 inhab.
- 24th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 52.8 km²
- Density
- 2,819 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Clermont-FerrandLe Mans
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Le Mans | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Le Mans+0.1% | 148,795 | 148,876 | More populous: Le Mans+0.1% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Le Mans+2.4 pts | −0.3% | +2.1% | Stronger growth: Le Mans+2.4 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Clermont-Ferrand+2.1 pts | +3.5% | +1.4% | Stronger growth: Clermont-Ferrand+2.1 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Clermont-Ferrand+24% | 3,487 | 2,819 | Denser: Clermont-Ferrand+24% |
| Under 15More young people: Le Mans+2.0 pt | 14.4% | 16.3% | More young people: Le Mans+2.0 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Le Mans+5.2 pts | 17.0% | 22.2% | More seniors: Le Mans+5.2 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Le Mans+0.16 | 1.76 | 1.92 | Larger households: Le Mans+0.16 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Le Mans | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+14% | 2,143 | 1,875 | More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+14% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+16% | 2,489 | 2,153 | More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+16% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+6% | 12.5 | 11.8 | More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+6% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+17% | 11.5 | 9.8 | More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+17% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Le Mans+13 pts | 31.6% | 44.7% | More homeowners: Le Mans+13 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Le Mans+24 pts | 16.3% | 40.6% | More houses: Le Mans+24 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Clermont-Ferrand+2.2 pts | 5.6% | 3.4% | More second homes: Clermont-Ferrand+2.2 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Clermont-Ferrand+0.2 pt | 9.7% | 9.5% | More vacant homes: Clermont-Ferrand+0.2 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+2.1 pts | 49.88% | 47.80% | Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+2.1 pts |
Sources: DGFiP (DVF), Ministry of Housing (rent map), INSEE, census, DGFiP, local taxation
Income and jobs
Residents’ income and jobs
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Le Mans | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Le Mans+4% | 22,640 | 23,610 | Higher: Le Mans+4% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Clermont-Ferrand+4.1 pts | 27.0% | 22.9% | Higher: Clermont-Ferrand+4.1 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Le Mans+3% | €25,966 | €26,832 | Higher: Le Mans+3% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Clermont-Ferrand+0.2 pt | 44% | 43% | More taxpaying households: Clermont-Ferrand+0.2 pt |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Le Mans+4.7 pts | 68.5% | 73.1% | Higher: Le Mans+4.7 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Le Mans+0.3 pt | 15.4% | 15.7% | Higher: Le Mans+0.3 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Le Mans | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Julien Bony | Stéphane Le Foll | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the right | Socialist Party | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Le Mans+0.6 pt | 97% | 98% | Better covered: Le Mans+0.6 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Le Mans | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+36% | 70.01,042 in total | 51.7769 in total | More shops per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+36% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+15% | 19.1284 in total | 16.6247 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+15% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+97% | 50.5751 in total | 25.7382 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+97% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Mans+18% | 17.7263 in total | 20.9311 in total | More per capita: Le Mans+18% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+13% | 1.726 in total | 1.523 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+13% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+55% | 3.045 in total | 1.929 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+55% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Clermont-Ferrand+1 | 3 | 2 | More stations: Clermont-Ferrand+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Le Mans | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Clermont-Ferrand+22% | 4.1 | 3.3 | Better access: Clermont-Ferrand+22% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+40% | 8.2122 in total | 5.887 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+40% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+20% | 28.0416 in total | 23.3347 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+20% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+47% | 8.4125 in total | 5.785 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+47% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+24% | 3.552 in total | 2.842 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+24% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Le Mans+1 | 16 | 17 | More facilities: Le Mans+1 |
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 | Clermont-Ferrand | Le Mans | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Le Mans+15 | 71 | 86 | More schools: Le Mans+15 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Le Mans+11 | 16 | 27 | More middle schools: Le Mans+11 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Clermont-Ferrand+4 | 23 | 19 | More high schools: Clermont-Ferrand+4 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Clermont-Ferrand+16 | 43 | 27 | More facilities: Clermont-Ferrand+16 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Le Mans | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Le Mans+5% | 6.9 | 7.2 | Higher rate: Le Mans+5% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+60% | 15.9 | 9.9 | Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+60% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Le Mans+14% | 4.3 | 4.9 | Higher rate: Le Mans+14% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+12% | 1.6 | 1.5 | Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+12% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+32% | 12.6 | 9.5 | Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+32% |
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 | Clermont-Ferrand | Le Mans | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Le Mans+0.3 °C | 12.1°C | 12.4°C | Warmer: Le Mans+0.3 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Clermont-Ferrand+8% | 1,958 | 1,809 | Sunnier: Clermont-Ferrand+8% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Le Mans+23% | 563 | 693 | Wetter: Le Mans+23% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Le Mans+25 days/year | 87 | 112 | More rainy days: Le Mans+25 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Clermont-Ferrand+16 days/year | 56 | 40 | More frost days: Clermont-Ferrand+16 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Clermont-Ferrand+7 days/year | 22 | 15 | More hot days: Clermont-Ferrand+7 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 | Clermont-Ferrand | Le Mans | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Le Mans+5 | 24 | 29 | More declarations: Le Mans+5 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Le Mans | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Le Mans+24% | 42.7 | 52.8 | Larger: Le Mans+24% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Clermont-Ferrand+341 m | 404 m | 64 m | Higher: Clermont-Ferrand+341 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Puy-de-Dôme (63) | Sarthe (72) | |
| Intercommunality | Clermont Auvergne Métropole | Communauté urbaine Le Mans Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Clermont-Ferrand | Le Mans | |
| Functional area | Clermont-Ferrand | Le Mans |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Clermont-Ferrand vs Le Mans at a glance
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Le Mans |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 148,795 | 148,876 |
| Change over 10 years | +3.5% | +1.4% |
| Density per km² | 3,487 | 2,819 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,143 | 1,875 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,489 | 2,153 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.5 | 11.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 49.88% | 47.80% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,640 | 23,610 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 15.4% | 15.7% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.1 | 3.3 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.9 | 7.2 |
| Average temperature | 12.1°C | 12.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,958 | 1,809 |
| Area km² | 42.7 | 52.8 |
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FAQ
Clermont-Ferrand vs Le Mans: your questions
Which is the larger city, Clermont-Ferrand or Le Mans?
By population, Le Mans: 148,876 inhabitants versus 148,795 for Clermont-Ferrand (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Le Mans is the 24th largest city in France, Clermont-Ferrand the 25th. By area, Le Mans is also the larger (52.8 km²).
How far is Clermont-Ferrand from Le Mans?
Clermont-Ferrand and Le Mans are 330 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Clermont-Ferrand or Le Mans?
To buy an apartment, Clermont-Ferrand is more expensive: €2,143 per m² (median price), versus €1,875 in Le Mans (+14%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Clermont-Ferrand or Le Mans?
In Le Mans, half of the residents have a standard of living above €23,610 a year, versus €22,640 in Clermont-Ferrand (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Clermont-Ferrand or Le Mans?
Clermont-Ferrand: 1,958 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,809 in Le Mans (climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each town).
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures