2026 comparison
Douai vs Lens: 2026 comparison
Douai has more inhabitants than Lens: 41,108 versus 33,122, or 24% more. Douai covers a larger area (16.9 km² versus 11.7 km²), but Lens is more densely populated: 2,831 inhabitants per km² versus 2,435.
The median apartment price is higher in Lens: €1,678 per m² versus €1,628. The median standard of living is higher in Douai (€20,230 a year versus €18,660).
The two cities are 21 km apart as the crow flies, in the same urban unit (Douai-Lens).
Douai
City in Nord
- Population
- 41,108 inhab.
- 195th in France · 7th in its department
- Area
- 16.9 km²
- Density
- 2,435 per km²
Lens
City in Pas-de-Calais
FPas-de-Calais62Hauts-de-France
- Population
- 33,122 inhab.
- 254th in France · 4th in its department
- Area
- 11.7 km²
- Density
- 2,831 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
DouaiLens
| Criterion | Douai | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Douai+24% | 41,108 | 33,122 | More populous: Douai+24% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Lens+2.6 pts | +1.6% | +4.2% | Stronger growth: Lens+2.6 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Lens+6.3 pts | −2.3% | +4.0% | Stronger growth: Lens+6.3 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Lens+16% | 2,435 | 2,831 | Denser: Lens+16% |
| Under 15More young people: Lens+0.1 pt | 17.4% | 17.5% | More young people: Lens+0.1 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Lens+2.0 pts | 18.5% | 20.6% | More seniors: Lens+2.0 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Lens+0.05 | 2.01 | 2.06 | Larger households: Lens+0.05 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Douai | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Lens+3% | 1,628 | 1,678 | More expensive: Lens+3% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Douai+9% | 1,567 | 1,433 | More expensive: Douai+9% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Lens+4% | 11.5 | 11.9 | More expensive: Lens+4% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedTie | 9.2 | 9.2 | Tie |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Douai+8.0 pts | 35.1% | 27.0% | More homeowners: Douai+8.0 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Lens+17 pts | 41.5% | 59.0% | More houses: Lens+17 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | — | 61.1% | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Douai+0.4 pt | 1.5% | 1.1% | More second homes: Douai+0.4 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Douai+3.4 pts | 14.0% | 10.6% | More vacant homes: Douai+3.4 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Lens+12 pts | 52.97% | 64.57% | Higher rate: Lens+12 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 | Douai | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Douai+8% | 20,230 | 18,660 | Higher: Douai+8% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Lens+4.0 pts | 31.4% | 35.4% | Higher: Lens+4.0 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Douai+23% | €23,017 | €18,717 | Higher: Douai+23% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Douai+5.9 pts | 35% | 29% | More taxpaying households: Douai+5.9 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Douai+1.6 pt | 68.2% | 66.5% | Higher: Douai+1.6 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Lens+1.5 pt | 21.6% | 23.0% | Higher: Lens+1.5 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Douai | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Frédéric Chéreau | Sylvain Robert | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | union of the left | union of the left | Same |
| Premises with fiberTie | 95% | 95% | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Douai | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Lens+3% | 60.1247 in total | 61.9205 in total | More shops per capita: Lens+3% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lens+30% | 16.568 in total | 21.471 in total | More per capita: Lens+30% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lens+25% | 37.5154 in total | 46.8155 in total | More per capita: Lens+25% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Douai+4% | 26.3108 in total | 25.484 in total | More per capita: Douai+4% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Douai+13% | 1.77 in total | 1.55 in total | More per capita: Douai+13% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lens2.2 times as high | 1.04 in total | 2.17 in total | More per capita: Lens2.2 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Lens+1 | 1 | 2 | More stations: Lens+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Douai | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Lens+81% | 3.2 | 5.7 | Better access: Lens+81% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Douai+5% | 7.330 in total | 6.923 in total | More per capita: Douai+5% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lens+39% | 26.3108 in total | 36.5121 in total | More per capita: Lens+39% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Douai+9% | 9.238 in total | 8.528 in total | More per capita: Douai+9% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lens+24% | 2.711 in total | 3.311 in total | More per capita: Lens+24% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Lens+1 | 4 | 5 | More facilities: Lens+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 | Douai | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Douai+9 | 29 | 20 | More schools: Douai+9 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Douai+4 | 10 | 6 | More middle schools: Douai+4 |
| High schoolsTie | 7 | 7 | Tie |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Lens+1 | 6 | 7 | More facilities: Lens+1 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Douai | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Douai+16% | 9.3 | 8.1 | Higher rate: Douai+16% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Douai+15% | 12.4 | 10.8 | Higher rate: Douai+15% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lens+10% | 8.1 | 9.0 | Higher rate: Lens+10% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Douai+79% | 2.9 | 1.6 | Higher rate: Douai+79% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lens+4% | 15.3 | 15.8 | Higher rate: Lens+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)
Natural hazards
Natural disasters and prevention
| Criterion | Douai | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Douai+5 | 14 | 9 | More declarations: Douai+5 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low, with aggravating factors | Low, with aggravating factors | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Douai | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Douai+44% | 16.9 | 11.7 | Larger: Douai+44% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Lens+9 m | 29 m | 37 m | Higher: Lens+9 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Nord (59) | Pas-de-Calais (62) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Douaisis Agglo | Communauté d'agglomération de Lens - Liévin | |
| Urban unitSame | Douai-Lens | Douai-Lens | Same |
| Functional area | Douai | Lens - Liévin |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Douai vs Lens at a glance
| Criterion | Douai | Lens |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 41,108 | 33,122 |
| Change over 10 years | −2.3% | +4.0% |
| Density per km² | 2,435 | 2,831 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,628 | 1,678 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,567 | 1,433 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.5 | 11.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 52.97% | 64.57% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 20,230 | 18,660 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 21.6% | 23.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.2 | 5.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 9.3 | 8.1 |
| Average temperature | 11.0°C | 11.0°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,627 | 1,627 |
| Area km² | 16.9 | 11.7 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Douai vs Lens: your questions
Which is the larger city, Douai or Lens?
By population, Douai: 41,108 inhabitants versus 33,122 for Lens (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Douai is the 195th largest city in France, Lens the 254th. By area, Douai is also the larger (16.9 km²).
How far is Douai from Lens?
Douai and Lens are 21 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Douai or Lens?
To buy an apartment, Lens is more expensive: €1,678 per m² (median price), versus €1,628 in Douai (+3%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Douai or Lens?
In Douai, half of the residents have a standard of living above €20,230 a year, versus €18,660 in Lens (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Douai and Lens in the same department?
No: Douai is in Nord (59), and Lens in Pas-de-Calais (62), both in the Hauts-de-France region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures