2026 comparison
Échirolles vs Grenoble: 2026 comparison
Grenoble has more inhabitants than Échirolles: 158,303 versus 37,710, or 4.2 times as many. Grenoble is both larger (18.1 km² versus 7.9 km²) and more densely populated (8,732 inhabitants per km² versus 4,798).
The median apartment price is higher in Grenoble: €2,595 per m² versus €1,967. The median standard of living is higher in Grenoble (€24,270 a year versus €21,900).
The two cities are 4.5 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department and the same urban unit (Grenoble).
Échirolles
City in Isère
- Population
- 37,710 inhab.
- 215th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 7.9 km²
- Density
- 4,798 per km²
Grenoble
City in Isère
- Population
- 158,303 inhab.
- 19th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 18.1 km²
- Density
- 8,732 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
ÉchirollesGrenoble
| Criterion | Échirolles | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Grenoble4.2 times as high | 37,710 | 158,303 | More populous: Grenoble4.2 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Échirolles+2.4 pts | +1.4% | −1.0% | Stronger growth: Échirolles+2.4 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Échirolles+7.6 pts | +5.1% | −2.5% | Stronger growth: Échirolles+7.6 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Grenoble+82% | 4,798 | 8,732 | Denser: Grenoble+82% |
| Under 15More young people: Échirolles+6.0 pts | 20.4% | 14.4% | More young people: Échirolles+6.0 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Échirolles+4.2 pts | 19.5% | 15.3% | More seniors: Échirolles+4.2 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Échirolles+0.41 | 2.23 | 1.82 | Larger households: Échirolles+0.41 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Échirolles | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Grenoble+32% | 1,967 | 2,595 | More expensive: Grenoble+32% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Grenoble+2% | 3,414 | 3,497 | More expensive: Grenoble+2% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Échirolles+0.8% | 13.5 | 13.4 | More expensive: Échirolles+0.8% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Échirolles+10% | 13.8 | 12.6 | More expensive: Échirolles+10% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Échirolles+8.7 pts | 44.8% | 36.1% | More homeowners: Échirolles+8.7 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Échirolles+6.9 pts | 9.7% | 2.8% | More houses: Échirolles+6.9 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Échirolles+18 pts | 42.8% | 24.9% | More social housing: Échirolles+18 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Grenoble+3.0 pts | 1.3% | 4.2% | More second homes: Grenoble+3.0 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Grenoble+7.1 pts | 6.4% | 13.5% | More vacant homes: Grenoble+7.1 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Grenoble+3.6 pts | 64.38% | 68.00% | Higher rate: Grenoble+3.6 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 | Échirolles | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Grenoble+11% | 21,900 | 24,270 | Higher: Grenoble+11% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Échirolles+3.7 pts | 27.3% | 23.6% | Higher: Échirolles+3.7 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Grenoble+16% | €23,951 | €27,758 | Higher: Grenoble+16% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Grenoble+8.4 pts | 40% | 48% | More taxpaying households: Grenoble+8.4 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Échirolles+0.3 pt | 71.6% | 71.3% | Higher: Échirolles+0.3 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Échirolles+4.0 pts | 17.1% | 13.2% | Higher: Échirolles+4.0 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Échirolles | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Amandine Demore | Laurence Ruffin | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous left | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Grenoble+1.3 pt | 95% | 96% | Better covered: Grenoble+1.3 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Échirolles | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Grenoble+31% | 58.9222 in total | 76.91,218 in total | More shops per capita: Grenoble+31% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+65% | 17.064 in total | 27.9442 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+65% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+82% | 35.5134 in total | 64.61,023 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+82% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Échirolles+6% | 14.956 in total | 14.0221 in total | More per capita: Échirolles+6% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+43% | 1.66 in total | 2.336 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+43% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble6.9 times as high | 0.31 in total | 1.829 in total | More per capita: Grenoble6.9 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Échirolles | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Échirolles+14% | 4.5 | 4.0 | Better access: Échirolles+14% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Échirolles2.3 times as high | 22.886 in total | 9.9157 in total | More per capita: Échirolles2.3 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+0.5% | 31.6119 in total | 31.7502 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+0.5% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble3.5 times as high | 2.49 in total | 8.5134 in total | More per capita: Grenoble3.5 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+17% | 3.212 in total | 3.759 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+17% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Grenoble+1 | 6 | 7 | More facilities: Grenoble+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 | Échirolles | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Grenoble+41 | 21 | 62 | More schools: Grenoble+41 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Grenoble+14 | 4 | 18 | More middle schools: Grenoble+14 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Grenoble+16 | 2 | 18 | More high schools: Grenoble+16 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Grenoble+30 | 2 | 32 | More facilities: Grenoble+30 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Échirolles | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Échirolles+34% | 9.3 | 7.0 | Higher rate: Échirolles+34% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble2.0 times as high | 13.2 | 26.8 | Higher rate: Grenoble2.0 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble+15% | 5.3 | 6.1 | Higher rate: Grenoble+15% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Échirolles+23% | 4.3 | 3.5 | Higher rate: Échirolles+23% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble+7% | 16.9 | 18.0 | Higher rate: Grenoble+7% |
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 | Échirolles | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Grenoble+3 | 2 | 5 | More declarations: Grenoble+3 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Grenoble+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Grenoble+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Échirolles | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Grenoble2.3 times as high | 7.86 | 18.1 | Larger: Grenoble2.3 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Échirolles+17 m | 229 m | 213 m | Higher: Échirolles+17 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Isère (38) | Isère (38) | Same |
| IntercommunalitySame | Grenoble-Alpes-Métropole | Grenoble-Alpes-Métropole | Same |
| Urban unitSame | Grenoble | Grenoble | Same |
| Functional areaSame | Grenoble | Grenoble | Same |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Échirolles vs Grenoble at a glance
| Criterion | Échirolles | Grenoble |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 37,710 | 158,303 |
| Change over 10 years | +5.1% | −2.5% |
| Density per km² | 4,798 | 8,732 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,967 | 2,595 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,414 | 3,497 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.5 | 13.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 64.38% | 68.00% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 21,900 | 24,270 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 17.1% | 13.2% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 9.3 | 7.0 |
| Average temperature | 12.6°C | 12.6°C |
| Area km² | 7.86 | 18.1 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Échirolles vs Grenoble: your questions
Which is the larger city, Échirolles or Grenoble?
By population, Grenoble: 158,303 inhabitants versus 37,710 for Échirolles (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Grenoble is the 19th largest city in France, Échirolles the 215th. By area, Grenoble is also the larger (18.1 km²).
How far is Échirolles from Grenoble?
Échirolles and Grenoble are 4.5 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Isère).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Échirolles or Grenoble?
To buy an apartment, Grenoble is more expensive: €2,595 per m² (median price), versus €1,967 in Échirolles (+32%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Échirolles or Grenoble?
In Grenoble, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,270 a year, versus €21,900 in Échirolles (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Échirolles and Grenoble in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Isère (38), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures