2026 comparison
Gradignan vs Pessac: 2026 comparison
Pessac has more inhabitants than Gradignan: 68,102 versus 27,379, or 2.5 times as many. Pessac is both larger (38.8 km² versus 15.8 km²) and more densely populated (1,754 inhabitants per km² versus 1,736).
The median apartment price is higher in Pessac: €3,569 per m² versus €3,523. The median standard of living is higher in Gradignan (€29,230 a year versus €28,840).
The two cities are 5.5 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department and the same urban unit (Bordeaux).
Gradignan
City in Gironde
- Population
- 27,379 inhab.
- 331st in France · 9th in its department
- Area
- 15.8 km²
- Density
- 1,736 per km²
© Symac / Sylvain Machefert, CC BY-SA 3.0
Pessac
City in Gironde
- Population
- 68,102 inhab.
- 78th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 38.8 km²
- Density
- 1,754 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
GradignanPessac
| Criterion | Gradignan | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Pessac2.5 times as high | 27,379 | 68,102 | More populous: Pessac2.5 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Gradignan+1.4 pt | +6.0% | +4.6% | Stronger growth: Gradignan+1.4 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Pessac+0.5 pt | +10.3% | +10.8% | Stronger growth: Pessac+0.5 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Pessac+1% | 1,736 | 1,754 | Denser: Pessac+1% |
| Under 15More young people: Pessac+1.0 pt | 14.4% | 15.4% | More young people: Pessac+1.0 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Gradignan+4.7 pts | 22.3% | 17.6% | More seniors: Gradignan+4.7 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Pessac+0.04 | 1.98 | 2.02 | Larger households: Pessac+0.04 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Gradignan | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Pessac+1% | 3,523 | 3,569 | More expensive: Pessac+1% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Pessac+3% | 3,958 | 4,096 | More expensive: Pessac+3% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Pessac+2% | 15.0 | 15.3 | More expensive: Pessac+2% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Gradignan+4% | 14.9 | 14.3 | More expensive: Gradignan+4% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Gradignan+3.0 pts | 49.8% | 46.8% | More homeowners: Gradignan+3.0 pts |
| Share of housesTie | 45.6% | 45.6% | Tie |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Pessac+7.2 pts | 24.6% | 31.8% | More social housing: Pessac+7.2 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Pessac+0.3 pt | 2.4% | 2.7% | More second homes: Pessac+0.3 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Gradignan+0.4 pt | 4.1% | 3.7% | More vacant homes: Gradignan+0.4 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Gradignan+5.3 pts | 53.70% | 48.44% | Higher rate: Gradignan+5.3 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 | Gradignan | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Gradignan+1% | 29,230 | 28,840 | Higher: Gradignan+1% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Pessac+2.8 pts | 12.0% | 14.8% | Higher: Pessac+2.8 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Gradignan+3% | €37,444 | €36,348 | Higher: Gradignan+3% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Gradignan+1.0 pt | 55% | 54% | More taxpaying households: Gradignan+1.0 pt |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Pessac+1.5 pt | 69.4% | 70.9% | Higher: Pessac+1.5 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Pessac+1.5 pt | 10.2% | 11.7% | Higher: Pessac+1.5 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Gradignan | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Michel Labardin | Franck Raynal | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberTie | 98% | 98% | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Gradignan | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Gradignan+22% | 43.5119 in total | 35.5242 in total | More shops per capita: Gradignan+22% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Gradignan+37% | 16.445 in total | 12.082 in total | More per capita: Gradignan+37% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pessac+4% | 23.464 in total | 24.4166 in total | More per capita: Pessac+4% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Gradignan+78% | 16.445 in total | 9.363 in total | More per capita: Gradignan+78% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pessac+7% | 1.13 in total | 1.28 in total | More per capita: Pessac+7% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Gradignan3.3 times as high | 2.98 in total | 0.96 in total | More per capita: Gradignan3.3 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Pessac+2 | 0 | 2 | More stations: Pessac+2 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Gradignan | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Gradignan+16% | 4.7 | 4.1 | Better access: Gradignan+16% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Gradignan+28% | 12.434 in total | 9.766 in total | More per capita: Gradignan+28% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pessac2.9 times as high | 8.423 in total | 24.1164 in total | More per capita: Pessac2.9 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Gradignan+14% | 7.721 in total | 6.846 in total | More per capita: Gradignan+14% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Gradignan+32% | 3.39 in total | 2.517 in total | More per capita: Gradignan+32% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Pessac+7 | 1 | 8 | More facilities: Pessac+7 |
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 | Gradignan | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Pessac+19 | 12 | 31 | More schools: Pessac+19 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Pessac+2 | 4 | 6 | More middle schools: Pessac+2 |
| High schoolsTie | 2 | 2 | Tie |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Pessac+14 | 4 | 18 | More facilities: Pessac+14 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Gradignan | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Pessac+20% | 8.5 | 10.2 | Higher rate: Pessac+20% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Pessac+29% | 6.5 | 8.4 | Higher rate: Pessac+29% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Gradignan2.5 times as high | 4.1 | 1.6 | Higher rate: Gradignan2.5 times as high |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Gradignan+100% | 1.8 | 0.9 | Higher rate: Gradignan+100% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Pessac+6% | 8.3 | 8.9 | Higher rate: Pessac+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 | Gradignan | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureTie | 14.3°C | 14.3°C | Tie |
| Sunshine h/yearTie | 2,070 | 2,070 | Tie |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Gradignan+2% | 904 | 884 | Wetter: Gradignan+2% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Gradignan+1 days/year | 125 | 124 | More rainy days: Gradignan+1 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Pessac+3 days/year | 23 | 26 | More frost days: Pessac+3 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Pessac+3 days/year | 28 | 31 | More hot days: Pessac+3 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 | Gradignan | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Gradignan+1 | 33 | 32 | More declarations: Gradignan+1 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Low | Low, with aggravating factors |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Gradignan | Pessac | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Pessac2.5 times as high | 15.8 | 38.8 | Larger: Pessac2.5 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Pessac+12 m | 23 m | 35 m | Higher: Pessac+12 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Gironde (33) | Gironde (33) | Same |
| IntercommunalitySame | Bordeaux Métropole | Bordeaux Métropole | Same |
| Urban unitSame | Bordeaux | Bordeaux | Same |
| Functional areaSame | Bordeaux | Bordeaux | Same |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Gradignan vs Pessac at a glance
| Criterion | Gradignan | Pessac |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 27,379 | 68,102 |
| Change over 10 years | +10.3% | +10.8% |
| Density per km² | 1,736 | 1,754 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,523 | 3,569 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,958 | 4,096 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 15.0 | 15.3 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 53.70% | 48.44% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 29,230 | 28,840 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 10.2% | 11.7% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.7 | 4.1 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 8.5 | 10.2 |
| Average temperature | 14.3°C | 14.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,070 | 2,070 |
| Area km² | 15.8 | 38.8 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Gradignan vs Pessac: your questions
Which is the larger city, Gradignan or Pessac?
By population, Pessac: 68,102 inhabitants versus 27,379 for Gradignan (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Pessac is the 78th largest city in France, Gradignan the 331st. By area, Pessac is also the larger (38.8 km²).
How far is Gradignan from Pessac?
Gradignan and Pessac are 5.5 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Gironde).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Gradignan or Pessac?
To buy an apartment, Pessac is more expensive: €3,569 per m² (median price), versus €3,523 in Gradignan (+1%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Gradignan or Pessac?
In Gradignan, half of the residents have a standard of living above €29,230 a year, versus €28,840 in Pessac (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Gradignan and Pessac in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Gironde (33), in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures