2026 comparison
Grenoble vs Nîmes: 2026 comparison
Grenoble has more inhabitants than Nîmes: 158,303 versus 154,017, or 2.8% more. Nîmes covers a larger area (162 km² versus 18.1 km²), but Grenoble is more densely populated: 8,732 inhabitants per km² versus 952.
The median apartment price is higher in Grenoble: €2,595 per m² versus €2,120. The median standard of living is higher in Grenoble (€24,270 a year versus €20,830).
The two cities are 186 km apart as the crow flies.
Grenoble
City in Isère
- Population
- 158,303 inhab.
- 19th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 18.1 km²
- Density
- 8,732 per km²
Nîmes
City in Gard
- Population
- 154,017 inhab.
- 21st in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 162 km²
- Density
- 952 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
GrenobleNîmes
| Criterion | Grenoble | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Grenoble+3% | 158,303 | 154,017 | More populous: Grenoble+3% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Nîmes+2.4 pts | −1.0% | +1.5% | Stronger growth: Nîmes+2.4 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Nîmes+3.4 pts | −2.5% | +0.8% | Stronger growth: Nîmes+3.4 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Grenoble9.2 times as high | 8,732 | 952 | Denser: Grenoble9.2 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Nîmes+2.3 pts | 14.4% | 16.7% | More young people: Nîmes+2.3 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Nîmes+6.1 pts | 15.3% | 21.3% | More seniors: Nîmes+6.1 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Nîmes+0.17 | 1.82 | 1.99 | Larger households: Nîmes+0.17 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Grenoble | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Grenoble+22% | 2,595 | 2,120 | More expensive: Grenoble+22% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Grenoble+23% | 3,497 | 2,852 | More expensive: Grenoble+23% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Nîmes+9% | 13.4 | 14.6 | More expensive: Nîmes+9% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Grenoble+4% | 12.6 | 12.1 | More expensive: Grenoble+4% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Nîmes+3.7 pts | 36.1% | 39.8% | More homeowners: Nîmes+3.7 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Nîmes+26 pts | 2.8% | 28.9% | More houses: Nîmes+26 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesTie | 24.9% | 24.9% | Tie |
| Second homesMore second homes: Nîmes+1.3 pt | 4.2% | 5.6% | More second homes: Nîmes+1.3 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Grenoble+2.4 pts | 13.5% | 11.1% | More vacant homes: Grenoble+2.4 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Grenoble+14 pts | 68.00% | 54.00% | Higher rate: Grenoble+14 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 | Grenoble | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Grenoble+17% | 24,270 | 20,830 | Higher: Grenoble+17% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Nîmes+8.8 pts | 23.6% | 32.4% | Higher: Nîmes+8.8 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Grenoble+10% | €27,758 | €25,247 | Higher: Grenoble+10% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Grenoble+11 pts | 48% | 37% | More taxpaying households: Grenoble+11 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Grenoble+4.4 pts | 71.3% | 67.0% | Higher: Grenoble+4.4 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Nîmes+4.9 pts | 13.2% | 18.0% | Higher: Nîmes+4.9 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Grenoble | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Laurence Ruffin | Vincent Bouget | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | union of the left | union of the left | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Grenoble+2.9 pts | 96% | 93% | Better covered: Grenoble+2.9 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Grenoble | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Nîmes+9% | 76.91,218 in total | 84.01,293 in total | More shops per capita: Nîmes+9% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+4% | 27.9442 in total | 29.1448 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+4% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+37% | 64.61,023 in total | 47.0724 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+37% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+31% | 14.0221 in total | 18.3282 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+31% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+46% | 2.336 in total | 1.624 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+46% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+24% | 1.829 in total | 2.335 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+24% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Nîmes+1 | 1 | 2 | More stations: Nîmes+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Grenoble | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Grenoble+2% | 4.0 | 3.9 | Better access: Grenoble+2% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+4% | 9.9157 in total | 10.3159 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+4% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+19% | 31.7502 in total | 26.8412 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+19% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+11% | 8.5134 in total | 9.4145 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+11% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+6% | 3.759 in total | 3.554 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+6% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Nîmes+7 | 7 | 14 | More facilities: Nîmes+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 | Grenoble | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Nîmes+34 | 62 | 96 | More schools: Nîmes+34 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Nîmes+6 | 18 | 24 | More middle schools: Nîmes+6 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Nîmes+2 | 18 | 20 | More high schools: Nîmes+2 |
| Higher education institutions and programsTie | 32 | 32 | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Grenoble | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Nîmes+17% | 7.0 | 8.1 | Higher rate: Nîmes+17% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble+91% | 26.8 | 14.0 | Higher rate: Grenoble+91% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble+23% | 6.1 | 4.9 | Higher rate: Grenoble+23% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble+30% | 3.5 | 2.7 | Higher rate: Grenoble+30% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble+98% | 18.0 | 9.1 | Higher rate: Grenoble+98% |
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 | Grenoble | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Nîmes+3.0 °C | 12.6°C | 15.6°C | Warmer: Nîmes+3.0 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,680 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Grenoble+34% | 981 | 734 | Wetter: Grenoble+34% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Grenoble+43 days/year | 108 | 65 | More rainy days: Grenoble+43 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Grenoble+47 days/year | 67 | 20 | More frost days: Grenoble+47 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Nîmes+24 days/year | 35 | 59 | More hot days: Nîmes+24 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 | Grenoble | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Nîmes+26 | 5 | 31 | More declarations: Nîmes+26 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Grenoble+1 | 2 | 1 | More plans: Grenoble+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Grenoble | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Nîmes8.9 times as high | 18.1 | 162 | Larger: Nîmes8.9 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Grenoble+168 m | 213 m | 44 m | Higher: Grenoble+168 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Isère (38) | Gard (30) | |
| Intercommunality | Grenoble-Alpes-Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération de Nîmes Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Grenoble | Nîmes | |
| Functional area | Grenoble | Nîmes |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Grenoble vs Nîmes at a glance
| Criterion | Grenoble | Nîmes |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 158,303 | 154,017 |
| Change over 10 years | −2.5% | +0.8% |
| Density per km² | 8,732 | 952 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,595 | 2,120 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,497 | 2,852 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.4 | 14.6 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 68.00% | 54.00% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,270 | 20,830 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 13.2% | 18.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 93% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.0 | 3.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 7.0 | 8.1 |
| Average temperature | 12.6°C | 15.6°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,680 |
| Area km² | 18.1 | 162 |
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FAQ
Grenoble vs Nîmes: your questions
Which is the larger city, Grenoble or Nîmes?
By population, Grenoble: 158,303 inhabitants versus 154,017 for Nîmes (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Grenoble is the 19th largest city in France, Nîmes the 21st. By area, Nîmes is the larger (162 km²).
How far is Grenoble from Nîmes?
Grenoble and Nîmes are 186 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Grenoble or Nîmes?
To buy an apartment, Grenoble is more expensive: €2,595 per m² (median price), versus €2,120 in Nîmes (+22%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Grenoble or Nîmes?
In Grenoble, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,270 a year, versus €20,830 in Nîmes (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Grenoble and Nîmes in the same department?
No: Grenoble is in Isère (38), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, and Nîmes in Gard (30), in the Occitanie region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures