2026 comparison
Colombes vs Nanterre: 2026 comparison
Nanterre has more inhabitants than Colombes: 98,383 versus 91,663, or 7.3% more. Nanterre covers a larger area (12.2 km² versus 7.8 km²), but Colombes is more densely populated: 11,737 inhabitants per km² versus 8,071.
The median apartment price is higher in Nanterre: €5,373 per m² versus €5,308. The median standard of living is higher in Colombes (€28,370 a year versus €24,020).
The two cities are 4.3 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department and the same urban unit (Paris).
_-_2022-10-22_-_7.jpg){kind=link}
Colombes
City in Hauts-de-Seine
FHauts-de-Seine92Île-de-France
- Population
- 91,663 inhab.
- 51st in France · 4th in its department
- Area
- 7.8 km²
- Density
- 11,737 per km²
Nanterre
City in Hauts-de-Seine
FHauts-de-Seine92Île-de-France
- Population
- 98,383 inhab.
- 45th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 12.2 km²
- Density
- 8,071 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
ColombesNanterre
| Criterion | Colombes | Nanterre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Nanterre+7% | 91,663 | 98,383 | More populous: Nanterre+7% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Colombes+4.8 pts | +5.8% | +1.0% | Stronger growth: Colombes+4.8 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Colombes+1.6 pt | +7.7% | +6.0% | Stronger growth: Colombes+1.6 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Colombes+45% | 11,737 | 8,071 | Denser: Colombes+45% |
| Under 15More young people: Colombes+1.3 pt | 20.6% | 19.3% | More young people: Colombes+1.3 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Nanterre+0.4 pt | 12.8% | 13.1% | More seniors: Nanterre+0.4 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Colombes+0.08 | 2.38 | 2.30 | Larger households: Colombes+0.08 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Colombes | Nanterre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Nanterre+1% | 5,308 | 5,373 | More expensive: Nanterre+1% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Colombes+12% | 7,379 | 6,603 | More expensive: Colombes+12% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Nanterre+1% | 23.5 | 23.8 | More expensive: Nanterre+1% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Nanterre+2% | 22.3 | 22.6 | More expensive: Nanterre+2% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Colombes+18 pts | 45.2% | 27.6% | More homeowners: Colombes+18 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Colombes+11 pts | 22.7% | 12.1% | More houses: Colombes+11 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Nanterre+23 pts | 33.9% | 56.8% | More social housing: Nanterre+23 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Nanterre+0.6 pt | 1.6% | 2.2% | More second homes: Nanterre+0.6 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Colombes+1.4 pt | 6.2% | 4.8% | More vacant homes: Colombes+1.4 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Colombes+4.5 pts | 28.18% | 23.68% | Higher rate: Colombes+4.5 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 | Colombes | Nanterre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Colombes+18% | 28,370 | 24,020 | Higher: Colombes+18% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Nanterre+5.7 pts | 18.6% | 24.3% | Higher: Nanterre+5.7 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Colombes+33% | €40,344 | €30,324 | Higher: Colombes+33% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Colombes+7.8 pts | 53% | 45% | More taxpaying households: Colombes+7.8 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Colombes+1.9 pt | 77.8% | 75.9% | Higher: Colombes+1.9 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Nanterre+1.9 pt | 11.7% | 13.6% | Higher: Nanterre+1.9 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Colombes | Nanterre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Joakim Giacomoni | Raphaël Adam | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | Les Républicains | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberTie | 97% | 97% | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Colombes | Nanterre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Nanterre+4% | 33.3305 in total | 34.6340 in total | More shops per capita: Nanterre+4% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Colombes+5% | 14.9137 in total | 14.2140 in total | More per capita: Colombes+5% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nanterre+21% | 26.0238 in total | 31.4309 in total | More per capita: Nanterre+21% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nanterre+65% | 9.587 in total | 15.7154 in total | More per capita: Nanterre+65% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nanterre+27% | 1.211 in total | 1.515 in total | More per capita: Nanterre+27% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nanterre4.7 times as high | 0.33 in total | 1.515 in total | More per capita: Nanterre4.7 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Nanterre+1 | 2 | 3 | More stations: Nanterre+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Colombes | Nanterre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Nanterre+7% | 2.5 | 2.7 | Better access: Nanterre+7% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Colombes+17% | 4.037 in total | 3.534 in total | More per capita: Colombes+17% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 3.936 in total | 3.938 in total | Tie |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Colombes+32% | 4.743 in total | 3.635 in total | More per capita: Colombes+32% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nanterre+29% | 2.018 in total | 2.525 in total | More per capita: Nanterre+29% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Nanterre+8 | 3 | 11 | More facilities: Nanterre+8 |
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 | Colombes | Nanterre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Nanterre+9 | 40 | 49 | More schools: Nanterre+9 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Nanterre+2 | 9 | 11 | More middle schools: Nanterre+2 |
| High schoolsTie | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Nanterre+21 | 2 | 23 | More facilities: Nanterre+21 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Colombes | Nanterre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Colombes+42% | 6.2 | 4.4 | Higher rate: Colombes+42% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nanterre+54% | 9.4 | 14.5 | Higher rate: Nanterre+54% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nanterre+33% | 2.8 | 3.7 | Higher rate: Nanterre+33% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nanterre+31% | 2.4 | 3.1 | Higher rate: Nanterre+31% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nanterre+79% | 5.6 | 10.0 | Higher rate: Nanterre+79% |
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)
Natural hazards
Natural disasters and prevention
| Criterion | Colombes | Nanterre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Nanterre+1 | 9 | 10 | More declarations: Nanterre+1 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Nanterre+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Nanterre+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Colombes | Nanterre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Nanterre+56% | 7.81 | 12.2 | Larger: Nanterre+56% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Nanterre+2 m | 39 m | 42 m | Higher: Nanterre+2 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Hauts-de-Seine (92) | Hauts-de-Seine (92) | Same |
| IntercommunalitySame | Métropole du Grand Paris | Métropole du Grand Paris | Same |
| Urban unitSame | Paris | Paris | Same |
| Functional areaSame | Paris | Paris | Same |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Colombes vs Nanterre at a glance
| Criterion | Colombes | Nanterre |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 91,663 | 98,383 |
| Change over 10 years | +7.7% | +6.0% |
| Density per km² | 11,737 | 8,071 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 5,308 | 5,373 |
| Median house price €/m² | 7,379 | 6,603 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 23.5 | 23.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 28.18% | 23.68% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 28,370 | 24,020 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.7% | 13.6% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 2.5 | 2.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.2 | 4.4 |
| Average temperature | 12.5°C | 12.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,717 | 1,717 |
| Area km² | 7.81 | 12.2 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Colombes vs Nanterre: your questions
Which is the larger city, Colombes or Nanterre?
By population, Nanterre: 98,383 inhabitants versus 91,663 for Colombes (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Nanterre is the 45th largest city in France, Colombes the 51st. By area, Nanterre is also the larger (12.2 km²).
How far is Colombes from Nanterre?
Colombes and Nanterre are 4.3 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Hauts-de-Seine).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Colombes or Nanterre?
To buy an apartment, Nanterre is more expensive: €5,373 per m² (median price), versus €5,308 in Colombes (+1%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Colombes or Nanterre?
In Colombes, half of the residents have a standard of living above €28,370 a year, versus €24,020 in Nanterre (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Colombes and Nanterre in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Hauts-de-Seine (92), in the Île-de-France region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures