2026 comparison
Lyon vs Montpellier: 2026 comparison
Lyon has more inhabitants than Montpellier: 525,314 versus 313,712, or 67% more. Montpellier covers a larger area (56.9 km² versus 47.9 km²), but Lyon is more densely populated: 10,974 inhabitants per km² versus 5,515.
The median apartment price is higher in Lyon: €4,768 per m² versus €3,351. The median standard of living is higher in Lyon (€28,290 a year versus €21,440).
The two cities are 251 km apart as the crow flies.
Lyon
City in Rhône
- Population
- 525,314 inhab.
- 3rd in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 47.9 km²
- Density
- 10,974 per km²
Montpellier
City in Hérault
- Population
- 313,712 inhab.
- 7th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 56.9 km²
- Density
- 5,515 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
LyonMontpellier
| Criterion | Lyon | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Lyon+67% | 525,314 | 313,712 | More populous: Lyon+67% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Montpellier+6.9 pts | +0.1% | +7.0% | Stronger growth: Montpellier+6.9 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Montpellier+10 pts | +3.7% | +14.0% | Stronger growth: Montpellier+10 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Lyon+99% | 10,974 | 5,515 | Denser: Lyon+99% |
| Under 15More young people: Montpellier+0.3 pt | 14.5% | 14.7% | More young people: Montpellier+0.3 pt |
| 65 and overTie | 14.9% | 14.9% | Tie |
| People per householdLarger households: Lyon+0.04 | 1.87 | 1.83 | Larger households: Lyon+0.04 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Lyon | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Lyon+42% | 4,768 | 3,351 | More expensive: Lyon+42% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Lyon+50% | 5,954 | 3,966 | More expensive: Lyon+50% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Lyon+7% | 16.6 | 15.5 | More expensive: Lyon+7% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Lyon+15% | 16.5 | 14.3 | More expensive: Lyon+15% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Lyon+2.8 pts | 33.4% | 30.6% | More homeowners: Lyon+2.8 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Montpellier+9.2 pts | 2.4% | 11.6% | More houses: Montpellier+9.2 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Montpellier+0.1 pt | 24.6% | 24.7% | More social housing: Montpellier+0.1 pt |
| Second homesMore second homes: Lyon+1.5 pt | 6.0% | 4.5% | More second homes: Lyon+1.5 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Lyon+2.4 pts | 9.3% | 6.9% | More vacant homes: Lyon+2.4 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Montpellier+21 pts | 32.82% | 54.28% | Higher rate: Montpellier+21 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 | Lyon | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Lyon+32% | 28,290 | 21,440 | Higher: Lyon+32% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Montpellier+13 pts | 18.0% | 30.9% | Higher: Montpellier+13 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Lyon+43% | €36,799 | €25,669 | Higher: Lyon+43% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Lyon+15 pts | 55% | 40% | More taxpaying households: Lyon+15 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Lyon+7.5 pts | 75.3% | 67.8% | Higher: Lyon+7.5 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Montpellier+7.2 pts | 11.1% | 18.3% | Higher: Montpellier+7.2 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Lyon | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Grégory Doucet | Michaël Delafosse | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous left | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Lyon+6.8 pts | 98% | 91% | Better covered: Lyon+6.8 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Lyon | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Lyon+38% | 81.04,256 in total | 58.71,841 in total | More shops per capita: Lyon+38% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon+15% | 26.11,369 in total | 22.6708 in total | More per capita: Lyon+15% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon+14% | 62.53,284 in total | 54.91,721 in total | More per capita: Lyon+14% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 11.6611 in total | 11.6363 in total | Tie |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon+15% | 1.579 in total | 1.341 in total | More per capita: Lyon+15% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon+21% | 2.2118 in total | 1.858 in total | More per capita: Lyon+21% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Lyon+4 | 6 | 2 | More stations: Lyon+4 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Lyon | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Montpellier+9% | 4.6 | 5.0 | Better access: Montpellier+9% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon+8% | 13.5709 in total | 12.5393 in total | More per capita: Lyon+8% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon+13% | 37.51,972 in total | 33.31,046 in total | More per capita: Lyon+13% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon+31% | 10.8565 in total | 8.2257 in total | More per capita: Lyon+31% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 3.0155 in total | 3.095 in total | Tie |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Lyon+6 | 33 | 27 | More facilities: Lyon+6 |
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 | Lyon | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Lyon+84 | 214 | 130 | More schools: Lyon+84 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Lyon+24 | 59 | 35 | More middle schools: Lyon+24 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Lyon+40 | 74 | 34 | More high schools: Lyon+40 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Lyon+100 | 201 | 101 | More facilities: Lyon+100 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Lyon | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Montpellier+12% | 6.9 | 7.7 | Higher rate: Montpellier+12% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lyon+70% | 39.3 | 23.1 | Higher rate: Lyon+70% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lyon+6% | 5.3 | 5.0 | Higher rate: Lyon+6% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lyon+7% | 2.9 | 2.7 | Higher rate: Lyon+7% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Montpellier+28% | 11.2 | 14.3 | Higher rate: Montpellier+28% |
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 | Lyon | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Montpellier+2.7 °C | 12.8°C | 15.5°C | Warmer: Montpellier+2.7 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Montpellier+32% | 2,050 | 2,705 | Sunnier: Montpellier+32% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Lyon+22% | 783 | 639 | Wetter: Lyon+22% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Lyon+43 days/year | 100 | 58 | More rainy days: Lyon+43 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Lyon+22 days/year | 44 | 21 | More frost days: Lyon+22 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Montpellier+2 days/year | 33 | 34 | More hot days: Montpellier+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 | Lyon | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Montpellier+12 | 24 | 36 | More declarations: Montpellier+12 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Montpellier+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Montpellier+1 |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Lyon | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Montpellier+19% | 47.9 | 56.9 | Larger: Montpellier+19% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Lyon+150 m | 169 m | 19 m | Higher: Lyon+150 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Rhône (69) | Hérault (34) | |
| Intercommunality | Métropole de Lyon | Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Lyon | Montpellier | |
| Functional area | Lyon | Montpellier |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Lyon vs Montpellier at a glance
| Criterion | Lyon | Montpellier |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 525,314 | 313,712 |
| Change over 10 years | +3.7% | +14.0% |
| Density per km² | 10,974 | 5,515 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,768 | 3,351 |
| Median house price €/m² | 5,954 | 3,966 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 16.6 | 15.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 32.82% | 54.28% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 28,290 | 21,440 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.1% | 18.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 91% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.6 | 5.0 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.9 | 7.7 |
| Average temperature | 12.8°C | 15.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,050 | 2,705 |
| Area km² | 47.9 | 56.9 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
Lyon vs Montpellier: your questions
Which is the larger city, Lyon or Montpellier?
By population, Lyon: 525,314 inhabitants versus 313,712 for Montpellier (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Lyon is the 3rd largest city in France, Montpellier the 7th. By area, Montpellier is the larger (56.9 km²).
How far is Lyon from Montpellier?
Lyon and Montpellier are 251 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Lyon or Montpellier?
To buy an apartment, Lyon is more expensive: €4,768 per m² (median price), versus €3,351 in Montpellier (+42%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Lyon or Montpellier?
In Lyon, half of the residents have a standard of living above €28,290 a year, versus €21,440 in Montpellier (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Lyon or Montpellier?
Montpellier: 2,705 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 2,050 in Lyon (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