2026 comparison
Limoges vs Poitiers: 2026 comparison
Limoges has more inhabitants than Poitiers: 131,817 versus 92,187, or 43% more. Limoges covers a larger area (78.0 km² versus 42.1 km²), but Poitiers is more densely populated: 2,189 inhabitants per km² versus 1,689.
The median apartment price is higher in Poitiers: €2,203 per m² versus €1,582. The median standard of living is higher in Limoges (€22,690 a year versus €22,350).
The two cities are 104 km apart as the crow flies.
Limoges
City in Haute-Vienne
FHaute-Vienne87Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Population
- 131,817 inhab.
- 30th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 78.0 km²
- Density
- 1,689 per km²
Poitiers
City in Vienne
- Population
- 92,187 inhab.
- 50th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 42.1 km²
- Density
- 2,189 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
LimogesPoitiers
| Criterion | Limoges | Poitiers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Limoges+43% | 131,817 | 92,187 | More populous: Limoges+43% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Poitiers+2.6 pts | −1.2% | +1.4% | Stronger growth: Poitiers+2.6 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Poitiers+6.7 pts | −3.8% | +2.8% | Stronger growth: Poitiers+6.7 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Poitiers+30% | 1,689 | 2,189 | Denser: Poitiers+30% |
| Under 15More young people: Poitiers+0.1 pt | 13.8% | 13.9% | More young people: Poitiers+0.1 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Limoges+6.9 pts | 22.7% | 15.8% | More seniors: Limoges+6.9 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Limoges+0.02 | 1.74 | 1.72 | Larger households: Limoges+0.02 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Limoges | Poitiers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Poitiers+39% | 1,582 | 2,203 | More expensive: Poitiers+39% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Poitiers+9% | 1,932 | 2,100 | More expensive: Poitiers+9% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Poitiers+18% | 10.4 | 12.2 | More expensive: Poitiers+18% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Limoges+1% | 10.0 | 9.9 | More expensive: Limoges+1% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Limoges+9.1 pts | 39.0% | 30.0% | More homeowners: Limoges+9.1 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Poitiers+1.3 pt | 27.3% | 28.6% | More houses: Poitiers+1.3 pt |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Poitiers+5.6 pts | 29.2% | 34.7% | More social housing: Poitiers+5.6 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Poitiers+0.2 pt | 3.4% | 3.6% | More second homes: Poitiers+0.2 pt |
| Vacant homesTie | 9.2% | 9.2% | Tie |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Poitiers+10 pts | 44.62% | 54.92% | Higher rate: Poitiers+10 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 | Limoges | Poitiers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Limoges+2% | 22,690 | 22,350 | Higher: Limoges+2% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Poitiers+1.9 pt | 25.5% | 27.4% | Higher: Poitiers+1.9 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Limoges+4% | €24,874 | €23,979 | Higher: Limoges+4% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Limoges+2.6 pts | 42% | 39% | More taxpaying households: Limoges+2.6 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Limoges+6.0 pts | 69.1% | 63.1% | Higher: Limoges+6.0 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Limoges+0.4 pt | 16.0% | 15.6% | Higher: Limoges+0.4 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Limoges | Poitiers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Guillaume Guerin | Anthony Brottier | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous centre | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Limoges+0.8 pt | 96% | 95% | Better covered: Limoges+0.8 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Limoges | Poitiers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Limoges+3% | 69.0909 in total | 66.8616 in total | More shops per capita: Limoges+3% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Limoges+2% | 19.3254 in total | 18.9174 in total | More per capita: Limoges+2% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Limoges+12% | 38.4506 in total | 34.3316 in total | More per capita: Limoges+12% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Limoges+5% | 20.2266 in total | 19.3178 in total | More per capita: Limoges+5% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Poitiers+54% | 2.027 in total | 3.129 in total | More per capita: Poitiers+54% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Limoges+14% | 3.039 in total | 2.624 in total | More per capita: Limoges+14% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Limoges+1 | 2 | 1 | More stations: Limoges+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Limoges | Poitiers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Limoges+2% | 4.8 | 4.7 | Better access: Limoges+2% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Limoges+15% | 12.6166 in total | 11.0101 in total | More per capita: Limoges+15% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Limoges+22% | 26.9354 in total | 22.0203 in total | More per capita: Limoges+22% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Limoges+6% | 6.180 in total | 5.753 in total | More per capita: Limoges+6% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Limoges+30% | 4.154 in total | 3.129 in total | More per capita: Limoges+30% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Limoges+2 | 13 | 11 | More facilities: Limoges+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 | Limoges | Poitiers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Limoges+16 | 63 | 47 | More schools: Limoges+16 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Limoges+7 | 19 | 12 | More middle schools: Limoges+7 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Limoges+8 | 24 | 16 | More high schools: Limoges+8 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Poitiers+2 | 31 | 33 | More facilities: Poitiers+2 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Limoges | Poitiers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Limoges+17% | 5.5 | 4.7 | Higher rate: Limoges+17% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Poitiers+31% | 11.0 | 14.4 | Higher rate: Poitiers+31% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Poitiers+14% | 5.1 | 5.8 | Higher rate: Poitiers+14% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Poitiers2.0 times as high | 1.0 | 2.0 | Higher rate: Poitiers2.0 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Poitiers+12% | 12.0 | 13.5 | Higher rate: Poitiers+12% |
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 | Limoges | Poitiers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Poitiers+0.4 °C | 11.8°C | 12.2°C | Warmer: Poitiers+0.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Poitiers+1.0% | 1,922 | 1,941 | Sunnier: Poitiers+1.0% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Limoges+46% | 1,018 | 695 | Wetter: Limoges+46% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Limoges+24 days/year | 134 | 109 | More rainy days: Limoges+24 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Poitiers+11 days/year | 35 | 46 | More frost days: Poitiers+11 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Poitiers+7 days/year | 9 | 16 | More hot days: Poitiers+7 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 | Limoges | Poitiers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Poitiers+12 | 15 | 27 | More declarations: Poitiers+12 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Limoges+2 | 4 | 2 | More plans: Limoges+2 |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Limoges | Poitiers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Limoges+85% | 78.0 | 42.1 | Larger: Limoges+85% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Limoges+148 m | 262 m | 114 m | Higher: Limoges+148 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Haute-Vienne (87) | Vienne (86) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté urbaine Limoges Métropole | Communauté urbaine du Grand Poitiers | |
| Urban unit | Limoges | Poitiers | |
| Functional area | Limoges | Poitiers |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Limoges vs Poitiers at a glance
| Criterion | Limoges | Poitiers |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 131,817 | 92,187 |
| Change over 10 years | −3.8% | +2.8% |
| Density per km² | 1,689 | 2,189 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,582 | 2,203 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,932 | 2,100 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 10.4 | 12.2 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 44.62% | 54.92% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,690 | 22,350 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 16.0% | 15.6% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.8 | 4.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 5.5 | 4.7 |
| Average temperature | 11.8°C | 12.2°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,922 | 1,941 |
| Area km² | 78.0 | 42.1 |
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FAQ
Limoges vs Poitiers: your questions
Which is the larger city, Limoges or Poitiers?
By population, Limoges: 131,817 inhabitants versus 92,187 for Poitiers (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Limoges is the 30th largest city in France, Poitiers the 50th. By area, Limoges is also the larger (78.0 km²).
How far is Limoges from Poitiers?
Limoges and Poitiers are 104 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Limoges or Poitiers?
To buy an apartment, Poitiers is more expensive: €2,203 per m² (median price), versus €1,582 in Limoges (+39%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Limoges or Poitiers?
In Limoges, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,690 a year, versus €22,350 in Poitiers (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Limoges or Poitiers?
Poitiers: 1,941 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,922 in Limoges (climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each town).
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures