2026 comparison
Forbach vs Thionville: 2026 comparison
Thionville has more inhabitants than Forbach: 43,398 versus 20,721, or 2.1 times as many. Thionville covers a larger area (49.9 km² versus 16.3 km²), but Forbach is more densely populated: 1,270 inhabitants per km² versus 870.
The median standard of living is higher in Thionville (€28,160 a year versus €19,530).
The two cities are 58 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
Thionville
City in Moselle
- Population
- 43,398 inhab.
- 180th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 49.9 km²
- Density
- 870 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
ForbachThionville
| Criterion | Forbach | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Thionville2.1 times as high | 20,721 | 43,398 | More populous: Thionville2.1 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Thionville+11 pts | −5.4% | +5.4% | Stronger growth: Thionville+11 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Thionville+7.6 pts | −5.1% | +2.5% | Stronger growth: Thionville+7.6 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Forbach+46% | 1,270 | 870 | Denser: Forbach+46% |
| Under 15More young people: Forbach+2.2 pts | 17.2% | 15.0% | More young people: Forbach+2.2 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Forbach+2.4 pts | 22.6% | 20.2% | More seniors: Forbach+2.4 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Forbach+0.27 | 2.19 | 1.92 | Larger households: Forbach+0.27 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Forbach | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Thionville+71% | 9.5 | 16.2 | More expensive: Thionville+71% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Thionville+56% | 9.2 | 14.4 | More expensive: Thionville+56% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Thionville+2.9 pts | 42.4% | 45.3% | More homeowners: Thionville+2.9 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Forbach+6.7 pts | 31.7% | 25.0% | More houses: Forbach+6.7 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Forbach+3.9 pts | 33.3% | 29.3% | More social housing: Forbach+3.9 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Thionville+0.9 pt | 1.2% | 2.1% | More second homes: Thionville+0.9 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Forbach+7.3 pts | 16.3% | 9.0% | More vacant homes: Forbach+7.3 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Thionville+4.3 pts | 38.34% | 42.62% | Higher rate: Thionville+4.3 pts |
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 | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Thionville+44% | 19,530 | 28,160 | Higher: Thionville+44% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Forbach+15 pts | 34.0% | 19.2% | Higher: Forbach+15 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Thionville+82% | €21,788 | €39,697 | Higher: Thionville+82% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Thionville+6.5 pts | 32% | 38% | More taxpaying households: Thionville+6.5 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Thionville+14 pts | 64.1% | 77.9% | Higher: Thionville+14 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Forbach+13 pts | 23.4% | 10.3% | Higher: Forbach+13 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Forbach | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Alexandre Cassaro | Pierre Cuny | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | Les Républicains | miscellaneous centre | |
| Premises with fiberTie | 97% | 97% | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Forbach | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Thionville+12% | 82.5171 in total | 92.6402 in total | More shops per capita: Thionville+12% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Forbach+55% | 27.557 in total | 17.777 in total | More per capita: Forbach+55% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Thionville+4% | 42.588 in total | 44.2192 in total | More per capita: Thionville+4% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Forbach+20% | 36.275 in total | 30.2131 in total | More per capita: Forbach+20% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Forbach+31% | 2.45 in total | 1.88 in total | More per capita: Forbach+31% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Thionville+7% | 1.94 in total | 2.19 in total | More per capita: Thionville+7% |
| 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 | Forbach | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Thionville+24% | 3.4 | 4.2 | Better access: Thionville+24% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Thionville+37% | 7.215 in total | 9.943 in total | More per capita: Thionville+37% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Thionville2.2 times as high | 12.526 in total | 27.9121 in total | More per capita: Thionville2.2 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Forbach+24% | 12.526 in total | 10.144 in total | More per capita: Forbach+24% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Forbach+22% | 3.47 in total | 2.812 in total | More per capita: Forbach+22% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Thionville+2 | 5 | 7 | More facilities: Thionville+2 |
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 | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Thionville+12 | 9 | 21 | More schools: Thionville+12 |
| Middle schoolsTie | 6 | 6 | Tie |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Thionville+5 | 5 | 10 | More high schools: Thionville+5 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Forbach+1 | 4 | 3 | More facilities: Forbach+1 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Forbach | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Thionville+2% | 5.6 | 5.8 | Higher rate: Thionville+2% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Thionville+34% | 11.0 | 14.7 | Higher rate: Thionville+34% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Forbach+38% | 4.8 | 3.5 | Higher rate: Forbach+38% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Forbach+10% | 1.4 | 1.2 | Higher rate: Forbach+10% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Thionville+2% | 11.8 | 12.0 | Higher rate: Thionville+2% |
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 | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Forbach+0.3 °C | 10.5°C | 10.2°C | Warmer: Forbach+0.3 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Thionville+21% | 731 | 884 | Wetter: Thionville+21% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Thionville+19 days/year | 117 | 136 | More rainy days: Thionville+19 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Thionville+2 days/year | 61 | 63 | More frost days: Thionville+2 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Forbach+2 days/year | 11 | 9 | More hot days: Forbach+2 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 | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Thionville+27 | 3 | 30 | More declarations: Thionville+27 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low, with aggravating factors | Low, with aggravating factors | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Forbach | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Thionville3.1 times as high | 16.3 | 49.9 | Larger: Thionville3.1 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Forbach+62 m | 218 m | 156 m | Higher: Forbach+62 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Moselle (57) | Moselle (57) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération de Forbach Porte de France | Thionville Fensch Agglomération | |
| Urban unit | Sarrebruck (ALL)-Forbach (partie française) | Thionville | |
| Functional area | Forbach (partie française) | Luxembourg (partie française) |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Forbach vs Thionville at a glance
| Criterion | Forbach | Thionville |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 20,721 | 43,398 |
| Change over 10 years | −5.1% | +2.5% |
| Density per km² | 1,270 | 870 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 9.5 | 16.2 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 38.34% | 42.62% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 19,530 | 28,160 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 23.4% | 10.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.4 | 4.2 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 5.6 | 5.8 |
| Average temperature | 10.5°C | 10.2°C |
| Area km² | 16.3 | 49.9 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Forbach vs Thionville: your questions
Which is the larger city, Forbach or Thionville?
By population, Thionville: 43,398 inhabitants versus 20,721 for Forbach (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Thionville is the 180th largest city in France, Forbach the 476th. By area, Thionville is also the larger (49.9 km²).
How far is Forbach from Thionville?
Forbach and Thionville are 58 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 Thionville?
In Thionville, half of the residents have a standard of living above €28,160 a year, versus €19,530 in Forbach (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Forbach and Thionville 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