2026 comparison
Clermont-Ferrand vs Vichy: 2026 comparison
Clermont-Ferrand has more inhabitants than Vichy: 148,795 versus 25,445, or 5.8 times as many. Clermont-Ferrand covers a larger area (42.7 km² versus 5.9 km²), but Vichy is more densely populated: 4,350 inhabitants per km² versus 3,487.
The median apartment price is higher in Clermont-Ferrand: €2,143 per m² versus €1,709. The median standard of living is higher in Vichy (€23,100 a year versus €22,640).
The two cities are 45 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
© jean-louis Zimmermann, CC BY 2.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Vichy
City in Allier
- Population
- 25,445 inhab.
- 366th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 5.9 km²
- Density
- 4,350 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Clermont-FerrandVichy
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Vichy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Clermont-Ferrand5.8 times as high | 148,795 | 25,445 | More populous: Clermont-Ferrand5.8 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Vichy+1.3 pt | −0.3% | +1.1% | Stronger growth: Vichy+1.3 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Clermont-Ferrand+4.3 pts | +3.5% | −0.8% | Stronger growth: Clermont-Ferrand+4.3 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Vichy+25% | 3,487 | 4,350 | Denser: Vichy+25% |
| Under 15More young people: Clermont-Ferrand+4.7 pts | 14.4% | 9.7% | More young people: Clermont-Ferrand+4.7 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Vichy+20 pts | 17.0% | 37.1% | More seniors: Vichy+20 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Clermont-Ferrand+0.19 | 1.76 | 1.57 | Larger households: Clermont-Ferrand+0.19 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Vichy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+25% | 2,143 | 1,709 | More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+25% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+35% | 2,489 | 1,845 | More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+35% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+19% | 12.5 | 10.5 | More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+19% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+16% | 11.5 | 9.9 | More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+16% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Vichy+9.9 pts | 31.6% | 41.5% | More homeowners: Vichy+9.9 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Vichy+3.4 pts | 16.3% | 19.7% | More houses: Vichy+3.4 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | — | 17.2% | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Vichy+2.9 pts | 5.6% | 8.5% | More second homes: Vichy+2.9 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Vichy+12 pts | 9.7% | 21.6% | More vacant homes: Vichy+12 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+1.0 pt | 49.88% | 48.88% | Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+1.0 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 | Clermont-Ferrand | Vichy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Vichy+2% | 22,640 | 23,100 | Higher: Vichy+2% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Clermont-Ferrand+3.8 pts | 27.0% | 23.2% | Higher: Clermont-Ferrand+3.8 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Clermont-Ferrand+4% | €25,966 | €25,072 | Higher: Clermont-Ferrand+4% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Clermont-Ferrand+1.7 pt | 44% | 42% | More taxpaying households: Clermont-Ferrand+1.7 pt |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Vichy+0.9 pt | 68.5% | 69.4% | Higher: Vichy+0.9 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Vichy+3.0 pts | 15.4% | 18.4% | Higher: Vichy+3.0 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Vichy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Julien Bony | Frédéric Aguilera | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the right | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Clermont-Ferrand+1.5 pt | 97% | 96% | Better covered: Clermont-Ferrand+1.5 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 | Vichy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Vichy2.1 times as high | 70.01,042 in total | 147.0374 in total | More shops per capita: Vichy2.1 times as high |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vichy+98% | 19.1284 in total | 37.796 in total | More per capita: Vichy+98% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vichy+18% | 50.5751 in total | 59.7152 in total | More per capita: Vichy+18% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vichy+16% | 17.7263 in total | 20.452 in total | More per capita: Vichy+16% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vichy+57% | 1.726 in total | 2.87 in total | More per capita: Vichy+57% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vichy3.2 times as high | 3.045 in total | 9.825 in total | More per capita: Vichy3.2 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Clermont-Ferrand+2 | 3 | 1 | More stations: Clermont-Ferrand+2 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Vichy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Clermont-Ferrand+25% | 4.1 | 3.3 | Better access: Clermont-Ferrand+25% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vichy+34% | 8.2122 in total | 11.028 in total | More per capita: Vichy+34% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vichy+5% | 28.0416 in total | 29.575 in total | More per capita: Vichy+5% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vichy+64% | 8.4125 in total | 13.835 in total | More per capita: Vichy+64% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vichy+35% | 3.552 in total | 4.712 in total | More per capita: Vichy+35% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Clermont-Ferrand+9 | 16 | 7 | More facilities: Clermont-Ferrand+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 | Clermont-Ferrand | Vichy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Clermont-Ferrand+63 | 71 | 8 | More schools: Clermont-Ferrand+63 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Clermont-Ferrand+12 | 16 | 4 | More middle schools: Clermont-Ferrand+12 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Clermont-Ferrand+20 | 23 | 3 | More high schools: Clermont-Ferrand+20 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Clermont-Ferrand+33 | 43 | 10 | More facilities: Clermont-Ferrand+33 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Vichy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+67% | 6.9 | 4.1 | Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+67% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Vichy+6% | 15.9 | 16.8 | Higher rate: Vichy+6% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Vichy+13% | 4.3 | 4.8 | Higher rate: Vichy+13% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+95% | 1.6 | 0.8 | Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+95% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Vichy+4% | 12.6 | 13.1 | Higher rate: Vichy+4% |
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 | Vichy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Vichy+0.6 °C | 12.1°C | 12.7°C | Warmer: Vichy+0.6 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Clermont-Ferrand+4% | 1,958 | 1,892 | Sunnier: Clermont-Ferrand+4% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Vichy+42% | 563 | 800 | Wetter: Vichy+42% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Vichy+31 days/year | 87 | 119 | More rainy days: Vichy+31 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Clermont-Ferrand+10 days/year | 56 | 45 | More frost days: Clermont-Ferrand+10 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Vichy+7 days/year | 22 | 29 | More hot days: Vichy+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 | Vichy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Clermont-Ferrand+4 | 24 | 20 | More declarations: Clermont-Ferrand+4 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Vichy+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Vichy+1 |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low, with aggravating factors |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Vichy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Clermont-Ferrand7.3 times as high | 42.7 | 5.85 | Larger: Clermont-Ferrand7.3 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Clermont-Ferrand+146 m | 404 m | 258 m | Higher: Clermont-Ferrand+146 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| Department | Puy-de-Dôme (63) | Allier (03) | |
| Intercommunality | Clermont Auvergne Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération Vichy Communauté | |
| Urban unit | Clermont-Ferrand | Vichy | |
| Functional area | Clermont-Ferrand | Vichy |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Clermont-Ferrand vs Vichy at a glance
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Vichy |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 148,795 | 25,445 |
| Change over 10 years | +3.5% | −0.8% |
| Density per km² | 3,487 | 4,350 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,143 | 1,709 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,489 | 1,845 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.5 | 10.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 49.88% | 48.88% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,640 | 23,100 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 15.4% | 18.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.1 | 3.3 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.9 | 4.1 |
| Average temperature | 12.1°C | 12.7°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,958 | 1,892 |
| Area km² | 42.7 | 5.85 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Clermont-Ferrand vs Vichy: your questions
Which is the larger city, Clermont-Ferrand or Vichy?
By population, Clermont-Ferrand: 148,795 inhabitants versus 25,445 for Vichy (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Clermont-Ferrand is the 25th largest city in France, Vichy the 366th. By area, Clermont-Ferrand is also the larger (42.7 km²).
How far is Clermont-Ferrand from Vichy?
Clermont-Ferrand and Vichy are 45 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Clermont-Ferrand or Vichy?
To buy an apartment, Clermont-Ferrand is more expensive: €2,143 per m² (median price), versus €1,709 in Vichy (+25%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Clermont-Ferrand or Vichy?
In Vichy, half of the residents have a standard of living above €23,100 a year, versus €22,640 in Clermont-Ferrand (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Clermont-Ferrand or Vichy?
Clermont-Ferrand: 1,958 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,892 in Vichy (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