2026 comparison
Épinal vs Metz: 2026 comparison
Metz has more inhabitants than Épinal: 124,396 versus 33,395, or 3.7 times as many. Épinal covers a larger area (59.2 km² versus 41.9 km²), but Metz is more densely populated: 2,966 inhabitants per km² versus 564.
The median standard of living is higher in Metz (€23,070 a year versus €22,490).
The two cities are 107 km apart as the crow flies.
Épinal
City in Vosges
- Population
- 33,395 inhab.
- 251st in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 59.2 km²
- Density
- 564 per km²
Metz
City in Moselle
- Population
- 124,396 inhab.
- 31st in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 41.9 km²
- Density
- 2,966 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
ÉpinalMetz
| Criterion | Épinal | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Metz3.7 times as high | 33,395 | 124,396 | More populous: Metz3.7 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Metz+5.1 pts | +0.1% | +5.1% | Stronger growth: Metz+5.1 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Metz+3.1 pts | +0.2% | +3.3% | Stronger growth: Metz+3.1 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Metz5.3 times as high | 564 | 2,966 | Denser: Metz5.3 times as high |
| Under 15Tie | 15.0% | 15.0% | Tie |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Épinal+4.1 pts | 21.6% | 17.5% | More seniors: Épinal+4.1 pts |
| People per householdTie | 1.88 | 1.88 | Tie |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Épinal | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,311 | not covered | |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,722 | not covered | |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Metz+30% | 10.3 | 13.4 | More expensive: Metz+30% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Metz+39% | 9.3 | 12.9 | More expensive: Metz+39% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Épinal+7.7 pts | 41.1% | 33.4% | More homeowners: Épinal+7.7 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Épinal+18 pts | 30.4% | 12.8% | More houses: Épinal+18 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Metz+3.4 pts | 36.9% | 40.3% | More social housing: Metz+3.4 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Épinal+0.7 pt | 3.4% | 2.7% | More second homes: Épinal+0.7 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Épinal+1.1 pt | 12.1% | 11.0% | More vacant homes: Épinal+1.1 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Épinal+17 pts | 55.66% | 38.40% | Higher rate: Épinal+17 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 | Épinal | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Metz+3% | 22,490 | 23,070 | Higher: Metz+3% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Metz+0.4 pt | 26.0% | 26.4% | Higher: Metz+0.4 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Metz+5% | €26,618 | €28,019 | Higher: Metz+5% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Metz+0.7 pt | 41% | 42% | More taxpaying households: Metz+0.7 pt |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Metz+1.5 pt | 70.2% | 71.7% | Higher: Metz+1.5 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Épinal+2.6 pts | 16.9% | 14.3% | Higher: Épinal+2.6 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Épinal | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Benoît Jourdain | François Grosdidier | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Épinal+0.7 pt | 96% | 95% | Better covered: Épinal+0.7 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Épinal | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Épinal+44% | 108.7363 in total | 75.6940 in total | More shops per capita: Épinal+44% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Épinal+5% | 22.274 in total | 21.1263 in total | More per capita: Épinal+5% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+16% | 40.4135 in total | 47.0585 in total | More per capita: Metz+16% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Épinal+4% | 25.284 in total | 24.2301 in total | More per capita: Épinal+4% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Épinal2.3 times as high | 4.515 in total | 1.924 in total | More per capita: Épinal2.3 times as high |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Épinal+24% | 2.79 in total | 2.227 in total | More per capita: Épinal+24% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Metz+1 | 1 | 2 | More stations: Metz+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Épinal | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Metz+6% | 5.0 | 5.3 | Better access: Metz+6% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Épinal+26% | 14.448 in total | 11.4142 in total | More per capita: Épinal+26% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Épinal+46% | 57.8193 in total | 39.7494 in total | More per capita: Épinal+46% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+4% | 10.836 in total | 11.3140 in total | More per capita: Metz+4% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Épinal+24% | 3.913 in total | 3.139 in total | More per capita: Épinal+24% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Metz+3 | 10 | 13 | More facilities: Metz+3 |
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 | Épinal | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Metz+42 | 21 | 63 | More schools: Metz+42 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Metz+13 | 5 | 18 | More middle schools: Metz+13 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Metz+9 | 8 | 17 | More high schools: Metz+9 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Metz+38 | 12 | 50 | More facilities: Metz+38 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Épinal | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Metz+4% | 5.5 | 5.7 | Higher rate: Metz+4% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Metz+44% | 10.6 | 15.3 | Higher rate: Metz+44% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Metz+4% | 5.8 | 6.0 | Higher rate: Metz+4% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Metz+25% | 1.1 | 1.4 | Higher rate: Metz+25% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Épinal+24% | 13.7 | 11.1 | Higher rate: Épinal+24% |
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 | Épinal | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Metz+0.8 °C | 10.3°C | 11.1°C | Warmer: Metz+0.8 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Metz+4% | 1,760 | 1,833 | Sunnier: Metz+4% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Épinal+27% | 907 | 714 | Wetter: Épinal+27% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Épinal+15 days/year | 134 | 118 | More rainy days: Épinal+15 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Épinal+17 days/year | 78 | 61 | More frost days: Épinal+17 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Metz+4 days/year | 12 | 16 | More hot days: Metz+4 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 | Épinal | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Metz+19 | 12 | 31 | More declarations: Metz+19 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Épinal | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Épinal+41% | 59.2 | 41.9 | Larger: Épinal+41% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Épinal+142 m | 323 m | 181 m | Higher: Épinal+142 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Large urban centre | |
| Department | Vosges (88) | Moselle (57) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération d'Épinal | Metz Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Épinal | Metz | |
| Functional area | Épinal | Metz |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Épinal vs Metz at a glance
| Criterion | Épinal | Metz |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 33,395 | 124,396 |
| Change over 10 years | +0.2% | +3.3% |
| Density per km² | 564 | 2,966 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,311 | not covered |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,722 | not covered |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 10.3 | 13.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 55.66% | 38.40% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,490 | 23,070 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 16.9% | 14.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 5.5 | 5.7 |
| Average temperature | 10.3°C | 11.1°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,760 | 1,833 |
| Area km² | 59.2 | 41.9 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
Épinal vs Metz: your questions
Which is the larger city, Épinal or Metz?
By population, Metz: 124,396 inhabitants versus 33,395 for Épinal (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Metz is the 31st largest city in France, Épinal the 251st. By area, Épinal is the larger (59.2 km²).
How far is Épinal from Metz?
Épinal and Metz are 107 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is the standard of living higher, in Épinal or Metz?
In Metz, half of the residents have a standard of living above €23,070 a year, versus €22,490 in Épinal (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Épinal or Metz?
Metz: 1,833 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,760 in Épinal (climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each town).
Are Épinal and Metz in the same department?
No: Épinal is in Vosges (88), and Metz in Moselle (57), both in the Grand Est region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures