2026 comparison
Décines-Charpieu vs Vaulx-en-Velin: 2026 comparison
Vaulx-en-Velin has more inhabitants than Décines-Charpieu: 53,281 versus 30,064, or 77% more. Vaulx-en-Velin is both larger (21.0 km² versus 17.0 km²) and more densely populated (2,543 inhabitants per km² versus 1,767).
The median apartment price is higher in Décines-Charpieu: €3,425 per m² versus €2,870. The median standard of living is higher in Décines-Charpieu (€24,770 a year versus €18,700).
The two cities are 2.6 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department and the same urban unit (Lyon).
Décines-Charpieu
City in Rhône
- Population
- 30,064 inhab.
- 294th in France · 12th in its department
- Area
- 17.0 km²
- Density
- 1,767 per km²
Vaulx-en-Velin
City in Rhône
- Population
- 53,281 inhab.
- 122nd in France · 4th in its department
- Area
- 21.0 km²
- Density
- 2,543 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Décines-CharpieuVaulx-en-Velin
| Criterion | Décines-Charpieu | Vaulx-en-Velin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Vaulx-en-Velin+77% | 30,064 | 53,281 | More populous: Vaulx-en-Velin+77% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Décines-Charpieu+0.0 pt | +4.5% | +4.4% | Stronger growth: Décines-Charpieu+0.0 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Vaulx-en-Velin+9.0 pts | +11.4% | +20.4% | Stronger growth: Vaulx-en-Velin+9.0 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Vaulx-en-Velin+44% | 1,767 | 2,543 | Denser: Vaulx-en-Velin+44% |
| Under 15More young people: Vaulx-en-Velin+6.1 pts | 18.4% | 24.5% | More young people: Vaulx-en-Velin+6.1 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Décines-Charpieu+6.1 pts | 18.7% | 12.6% | More seniors: Décines-Charpieu+6.1 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Vaulx-en-Velin+0.39 | 2.29 | 2.68 | Larger households: Vaulx-en-Velin+0.39 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Décines-Charpieu | Vaulx-en-Velin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Décines-Charpieu+19% | 3,425 | 2,870 | More expensive: Décines-Charpieu+19% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Décines-Charpieu+20% | 4,241 | 3,547 | More expensive: Décines-Charpieu+20% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Vaulx-en-Velin+2% | 15.3 | 15.6 | More expensive: Vaulx-en-Velin+2% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Vaulx-en-Velin+2% | 14.8 | 15.0 | More expensive: Vaulx-en-Velin+2% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Décines-Charpieu+15 pts | 52.7% | 37.6% | More homeowners: Décines-Charpieu+15 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Décines-Charpieu+13 pts | 30.6% | 17.2% | More houses: Décines-Charpieu+13 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Vaulx-en-Velin+27 pts | 24.6% | 52.0% | More social housing: Vaulx-en-Velin+27 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Décines-Charpieu+0.4 pt | 1.0% | 0.6% | More second homes: Décines-Charpieu+0.4 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Vaulx-en-Velin+0.5 pt | 5.7% | 6.2% | More vacant homes: Vaulx-en-Velin+0.5 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Vaulx-en-Velin+1.2 pt | 38.38% | 39.59% | Higher rate: Vaulx-en-Velin+1.2 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 | Décines-Charpieu | Vaulx-en-Velin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Décines-Charpieu+32% | 24,770 | 18,700 | Higher: Décines-Charpieu+32% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Vaulx-en-Velin+18 pts | 18.8% | 36.3% | Higher: Vaulx-en-Velin+18 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Décines-Charpieu+40% | €28,964 | €20,680 | Higher: Décines-Charpieu+40% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Décines-Charpieu+16 pts | 47% | 31% | More taxpaying households: Décines-Charpieu+16 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Décines-Charpieu+8.5 pts | 75.5% | 67.0% | Higher: Décines-Charpieu+8.5 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Vaulx-en-Velin+5.8 pts | 13.0% | 18.7% | Higher: Vaulx-en-Velin+5.8 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Décines-Charpieu | Vaulx-en-Velin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Laurence Fautra | Abdelkader Lahmar | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | Les Républicains | La France insoumise | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Décines-Charpieu+1.1 pt | 98% | 97% | Better covered: Décines-Charpieu+1.1 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Décines-Charpieu | Vaulx-en-Velin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Vaulx-en-Velin+3% | 45.6137 in total | 47.1251 in total | More shops per capita: Vaulx-en-Velin+3% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Décines-Charpieu+18% | 20.662 in total | 17.593 in total | More per capita: Décines-Charpieu+18% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Décines-Charpieu+40% | 38.9117 in total | 27.8148 in total | More per capita: Décines-Charpieu+40% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vaulx-en-Velin+28% | 12.337 in total | 15.884 in total | More per capita: Vaulx-en-Velin+28% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vaulx-en-Velin+41% | 1.34 in total | 1.910 in total | More per capita: Vaulx-en-Velin+41% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Décines-Charpieu3.5 times as high | 1.34 in total | 0.42 in total | More per capita: Décines-Charpieu3.5 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Décines-Charpieu | Vaulx-en-Velin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Vaulx-en-Velin+45% | 2.7 | 3.9 | Better access: Vaulx-en-Velin+45% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vaulx-en-Velin+15% | 7.322 in total | 8.445 in total | More per capita: Vaulx-en-Velin+15% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Décines-Charpieu9.8 times as high | 23.972 in total | 2.413 in total | More per capita: Décines-Charpieu9.8 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Décines-Charpieu3.4 times as high | 7.723 in total | 2.312 in total | More per capita: Décines-Charpieu3.4 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Décines-Charpieu+9% | 2.78 in total | 2.413 in total | More per capita: Décines-Charpieu+9% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Vaulx-en-Velin+1 | 0 | 1 | More facilities: Vaulx-en-Velin+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 | Décines-Charpieu | Vaulx-en-Velin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Vaulx-en-Velin+20 | 14 | 34 | More schools: Vaulx-en-Velin+20 |
| Middle schoolsTie | 6 | 6 | Tie |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Décines-Charpieu+1 | 4 | 3 | More high schools: Décines-Charpieu+1 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Vaulx-en-Velin+3 | 1 | 4 | More facilities: Vaulx-en-Velin+3 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Décines-Charpieu | Vaulx-en-Velin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Décines-Charpieu+62% | 6.4 | 3.9 | Higher rate: Décines-Charpieu+62% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Vaulx-en-Velin+39% | 11.8 | 16.4 | Higher rate: Vaulx-en-Velin+39% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Vaulx-en-Velin+16% | 4.5 | 5.2 | Higher rate: Vaulx-en-Velin+16% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Vaulx-en-Velin+10% | 3.7 | 4.1 | Higher rate: Vaulx-en-Velin+10% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Vaulx-en-Velin+17% | 9.2 | 10.8 | Higher rate: Vaulx-en-Velin+17% |
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 | Décines-Charpieu | Vaulx-en-Velin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Décines-Charpieu+5 | 18 | 13 | More declarations: Décines-Charpieu+5 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Décines-Charpieu | Vaulx-en-Velin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Vaulx-en-Velin+23% | 17.0 | 21.0 | Larger: Vaulx-en-Velin+23% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Décines-Charpieu+17 m | 188 m | 171 m | Higher: Décines-Charpieu+17 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Rhône (69) | Rhône (69) | Same |
| IntercommunalitySame | Métropole de Lyon | Métropole de Lyon | Same |
| Urban unitSame | Lyon | Lyon | Same |
| Functional areaSame | Lyon | Lyon | Same |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Décines-Charpieu vs Vaulx-en-Velin at a glance
| Criterion | Décines-Charpieu | Vaulx-en-Velin |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 30,064 | 53,281 |
| Change over 10 years | +11.4% | +20.4% |
| Density per km² | 1,767 | 2,543 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,425 | 2,870 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,241 | 3,547 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 15.3 | 15.6 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 38.38% | 39.59% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,770 | 18,700 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 13.0% | 18.7% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 2.7 | 3.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.4 | 3.9 |
| Average temperature | 13.0°C | 13.0°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,050 | 2,050 |
| Area km² | 17.0 | 21.0 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Décines-Charpieu vs Vaulx-en-Velin: your questions
Which is the larger city, Décines-Charpieu or Vaulx-en-Velin?
By population, Vaulx-en-Velin: 53,281 inhabitants versus 30,064 for Décines-Charpieu (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Vaulx-en-Velin is the 122nd largest city in France, Décines-Charpieu the 294th. By area, Vaulx-en-Velin is also the larger (21.0 km²).
How far is Décines-Charpieu from Vaulx-en-Velin?
Décines-Charpieu and Vaulx-en-Velin are 2.6 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Rhône).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Décines-Charpieu or Vaulx-en-Velin?
To buy an apartment, Décines-Charpieu is more expensive: €3,425 per m² (median price), versus €2,870 in Vaulx-en-Velin (+19%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Décines-Charpieu or Vaulx-en-Velin?
In Décines-Charpieu, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,770 a year, versus €18,700 in Vaulx-en-Velin (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Décines-Charpieu and Vaulx-en-Velin in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Rhône (69), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures