2026 comparison
Forbach vs Metz: 2026 comparison
Metz has more inhabitants than Forbach: 124,396 versus 20,721, or 6.0 times as many. Metz is both larger (41.9 km² versus 16.3 km²) and more densely populated (2,966 inhabitants per km² versus 1,270).
The median standard of living is higher in Metz (€23,070 a year versus €19,530).
The two cities are 52 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Forbach
City in Moselle
- Population
- 20,721 inhab.
- 476th in France · 4th in its department
- Area
- 16.3 km²
- Density
- 1,270 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
ForbachMetz
| Criterion | Forbach | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Metz6.0 times as high | 20,721 | 124,396 | More populous: Metz6.0 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Metz+10 pts | −5.4% | +5.1% | Stronger growth: Metz+10 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Metz+8.4 pts | −5.1% | +3.3% | Stronger growth: Metz+8.4 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Metz2.3 times as high | 1,270 | 2,966 | Denser: Metz2.3 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Forbach+2.2 pts | 17.2% | 15.0% | More young people: Forbach+2.2 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Forbach+5.1 pts | 22.6% | 17.5% | More seniors: Forbach+5.1 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Forbach+0.31 | 2.19 | 1.88 | Larger households: Forbach+0.31 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Forbach | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Metz+41% | 9.5 | 13.4 | More expensive: Metz+41% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Metz+40% | 9.2 | 12.9 | More expensive: Metz+40% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Forbach+9.0 pts | 42.4% | 33.4% | More homeowners: Forbach+9.0 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Forbach+19 pts | 31.7% | 12.8% | More houses: Forbach+19 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Metz+7.0 pts | 33.3% | 40.3% | More social housing: Metz+7.0 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Metz+1.5 pt | 1.2% | 2.7% | More second homes: Metz+1.5 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Forbach+5.3 pts | 16.3% | 11.0% | More vacant homes: Forbach+5.3 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Metz+0.1 pt | 38.34% | 38.40% | Higher rate: Metz+0.1 pt |
Sources: Ministry of Housing (rent map), INSEE, census, Ministry for the Ecological Transition (SRU), DGFiP, local taxation
Income and jobs
Residents’ income and jobs
| Criterion | Forbach | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Metz+18% | 19,530 | 23,070 | Higher: Metz+18% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Forbach+7.6 pts | 34.0% | 26.4% | Higher: Forbach+7.6 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Metz+29% | €21,788 | €28,019 | Higher: Metz+29% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Metz+10 pts | 32% | 42% | More taxpaying households: Metz+10 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Metz+7.6 pts | 64.1% | 71.7% | Higher: Metz+7.6 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Forbach+9.1 pts | 23.4% | 14.3% | Higher: Forbach+9.1 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Forbach | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Alexandre Cassaro | François Grosdidier | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | Les Républicains | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Forbach+1.7 pt | 97% | 95% | Better covered: Forbach+1.7 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Forbach | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Forbach+9% | 82.5171 in total | 75.6940 in total | More shops per capita: Forbach+9% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Forbach+30% | 27.557 in total | 21.1263 in total | More per capita: Forbach+30% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+11% | 42.588 in total | 47.0585 in total | More per capita: Metz+11% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Forbach+50% | 36.275 in total | 24.2301 in total | More per capita: Forbach+50% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Forbach+25% | 2.45 in total | 1.924 in total | More per capita: Forbach+25% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+12% | 1.94 in total | 2.227 in total | More per capita: Metz+12% |
| 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 | Forbach | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Metz+54% | 3.4 | 5.3 | Better access: Metz+54% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+58% | 7.215 in total | 11.4142 in total | More per capita: Metz+58% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz3.2 times as high | 12.526 in total | 39.7494 in total | More per capita: Metz3.2 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Forbach+11% | 12.526 in total | 11.3140 in total | More per capita: Forbach+11% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Forbach+8% | 3.47 in total | 3.139 in total | More per capita: Forbach+8% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Metz+8 | 5 | 13 | More facilities: Metz+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 | Forbach | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Metz+54 | 9 | 63 | More schools: Metz+54 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Metz+12 | 6 | 18 | More middle schools: Metz+12 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Metz+12 | 5 | 17 | More high schools: Metz+12 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Metz+46 | 4 | 50 | More facilities: Metz+46 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Forbach | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Metz+1% | 5.6 | 5.7 | Higher rate: Metz+1% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Metz+40% | 11.0 | 15.3 | Higher rate: Metz+40% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Metz+25% | 4.8 | 6.0 | Higher rate: Metz+25% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Tie | 1.4 | 1.4 | Tie |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Forbach+6% | 11.8 | 11.1 | Higher rate: Forbach+6% |
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 | Forbach | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Metz+0.6 °C | 10.5°C | 11.1°C | Warmer: Metz+0.6 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,833 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Forbach+3% | 731 | 714 | Wetter: Forbach+3% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Metz+1 days/year | 117 | 118 | More rainy days: Metz+1 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearTie | 61 | 61 | Tie |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Metz+5 days/year | 11 | 16 | More hot days: Metz+5 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 | Forbach | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Metz+28 | 3 | 31 | More declarations: Metz+28 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Low, with aggravating factors | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Forbach | Metz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Metz2.6 times as high | 16.3 | 41.9 | Larger: Metz2.6 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Forbach+37 m | 218 m | 181 m | Higher: Forbach+37 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Large urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Moselle (57) | Moselle (57) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération de Forbach Porte de France | Metz Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Sarrebruck (ALL)-Forbach (partie française) | Metz | |
| Functional area | Forbach (partie française) | Metz |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Forbach vs Metz at a glance
| Criterion | Forbach | Metz |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 20,721 | 124,396 |
| Change over 10 years | −5.1% | +3.3% |
| Density per km² | 1,270 | 2,966 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 9.5 | 13.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 38.34% | 38.40% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 19,530 | 23,070 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 23.4% | 14.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.4 | 5.3 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 5.6 | 5.7 |
| Average temperature | 10.5°C | 11.1°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,833 |
| Area km² | 16.3 | 41.9 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Forbach vs Metz: your questions
Which is the larger city, Forbach or Metz?
By population, Metz: 124,396 inhabitants versus 20,721 for Forbach (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Metz is the 31st largest city in France, Forbach the 476th. By area, Metz is also the larger (41.9 km²).
How far is Forbach from Metz?
Forbach and Metz are 52 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Moselle).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Forbach or Metz?
In Metz, half of the residents have a standard of living above €23,070 a year, versus €19,530 in Forbach (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Forbach and Metz in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Moselle (57), in the Grand Est region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures