2026 comparison
Metz vs Nancy: 2026 comparison
Metz has more inhabitants than Nancy: 124,396 versus 104,988, or 18% more. Metz covers a larger area (41.9 km² versus 15.0 km²), but Nancy is more densely populated: 6,995 inhabitants per km² versus 2,966.
The median standard of living is higher in Nancy (€24,610 a year versus €23,070).
The two cities are 46 km apart as the crow flies.
Metz
City in Moselle
- Population
- 124,396 inhab.
- 31st in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 41.9 km²
- Density
- 2,966 per km²
Nancy
City in Meurthe-et-Moselle
FMeurthe-et-Moselle54Grand Est
- Population
- 104,988 inhab.
- 42nd in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 15.0 km²
- Density
- 6,995 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
MetzNancy
| Criterion | Metz | Nancy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Metz+18% | 124,396 | 104,988 | More populous: Metz+18% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Metz+6.3 pts | +5.1% | −1.2% | Stronger growth: Metz+6.3 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Metz+3.7 pts | +3.3% | −0.4% | Stronger growth: Metz+3.7 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Nancy2.4 times as high | 2,966 | 6,995 | Denser: Nancy2.4 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Metz+3.2 pts | 15.0% | 11.9% | More young people: Metz+3.2 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Metz+2.2 pts | 17.5% | 15.3% | More seniors: Metz+2.2 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Metz+0.22 | 1.88 | 1.66 | Larger households: Metz+0.22 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Metz | Nancy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m² | not covered | 2,328 | |
| Median house price €/m² | not covered | 2,711 | |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Metz+10% | 13.4 | 12.1 | More expensive: Metz+10% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Metz+7% | 12.9 | 12.0 | More expensive: Metz+7% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Metz+5.6 pts | 33.4% | 27.8% | More homeowners: Metz+5.6 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Metz+3.4 pts | 12.8% | 9.4% | More houses: Metz+3.4 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Metz+16 pts | 40.3% | 24.4% | More social housing: Metz+16 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Nancy+2.6 pts | 2.7% | 5.2% | More second homes: Nancy+2.6 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Nancy+1.0 pt | 11.0% | 12.0% | More vacant homes: Nancy+1.0 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Nancy+5.6 pts | 38.40% | 43.95% | Higher rate: Nancy+5.6 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 | Metz | Nancy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Nancy+7% | 23,070 | 24,610 | Higher: Nancy+7% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Metz+2.5 pts | 26.4% | 23.9% | Higher: Metz+2.5 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Nancy+8% | €28,019 | €30,341 | Higher: Nancy+8% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Nancy+6.3 pts | 42% | 48% | More taxpaying households: Nancy+6.3 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Metz+4.5 pts | 71.7% | 67.2% | Higher: Metz+4.5 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Nancy+0.1 pt | 14.3% | 14.5% | Higher: Nancy+0.1 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Metz | Nancy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | François Grosdidier | Mathieu Klein | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Metz+5.5 pts | 95% | 90% | Better covered: Metz+5.5 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Metz | Nancy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Nancy+0.7% | 75.6940 in total | 76.1799 in total | More shops per capita: Nancy+0.7% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+6% | 21.1263 in total | 19.9209 in total | More per capita: Metz+6% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nancy+26% | 47.0585 in total | 59.2622 in total | More per capita: Nancy+26% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+65% | 24.2301 in total | 14.7154 in total | More per capita: Metz+65% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nancy+23% | 1.924 in total | 2.425 in total | More per capita: Nancy+23% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nancy+5% | 2.227 in total | 2.324 in total | More per capita: Nancy+5% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Metz+1 | 2 | 1 | More stations: Metz+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Metz | Nancy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Metz+3% | 5.3 | 5.1 | Better access: Metz+3% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+4% | 11.4142 in total | 11.0115 in total | More per capita: Metz+4% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+35% | 39.7494 in total | 29.4309 in total | More per capita: Metz+35% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+6% | 11.3140 in total | 10.6111 in total | More per capita: Metz+6% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nancy+28% | 3.139 in total | 4.042 in total | More per capita: Nancy+28% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Nancy+7 | 13 | 20 | More facilities: Nancy+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 | Metz | Nancy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Metz+12 | 63 | 51 | More schools: Metz+12 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Metz+4 | 18 | 14 | More middle schools: Metz+4 |
| High schoolsTie | 17 | 17 | Tie |
| Higher education institutions and programsTie | 50 | 50 | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Metz | Nancy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Metz+23% | 5.7 | 4.7 | Higher rate: Metz+23% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nancy+41% | 15.3 | 21.7 | Higher rate: Nancy+41% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nancy+14% | 6.0 | 6.8 | Higher rate: Nancy+14% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Metz+14% | 1.4 | 1.2 | Higher rate: Metz+14% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nancy+7% | 11.1 | 11.9 | Higher rate: Nancy+7% |
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 | Metz | Nancy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Metz+0.1 °C | 11.1°C | 11.0°C | Warmer: Metz+0.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Metz+7% | 1,833 | 1,708 | Sunnier: Metz+7% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Nancy+5% | 714 | 746 | Wetter: Nancy+5% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Nancy+2 days/year | 118 | 120 | More rainy days: Nancy+2 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Nancy+2 days/year | 61 | 63 | More frost days: Nancy+2 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Metz+1 days/year | 16 | 15 | More hot days: Metz+1 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 | Metz | Nancy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Metz+11 | 31 | 20 | More declarations: Metz+11 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Metz | Nancy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Metz2.8 times as high | 41.9 | 15.0 | Larger: Metz2.8 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Nancy+19 m | 181 m | 200 m | Higher: Nancy+19 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Moselle (57) | Meurthe-et-Moselle (54) | |
| Intercommunality | Metz Métropole | Métropole du Grand Nancy | |
| Urban unit | Metz | Nancy | |
| Functional area | Metz | Nancy |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Metz vs Nancy at a glance
| Criterion | Metz | Nancy |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 124,396 | 104,988 |
| Change over 10 years | +3.3% | −0.4% |
| Density per km² | 2,966 | 6,995 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | not covered | 2,328 |
| Median house price €/m² | not covered | 2,711 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.4 | 12.1 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 38.40% | 43.95% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 23,070 | 24,610 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 14.3% | 14.5% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 90% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 5.7 | 4.7 |
| Average temperature | 11.1°C | 11.0°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,833 | 1,708 |
| Area km² | 41.9 | 15.0 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Metz vs Nancy: your questions
Which is the larger city, Metz or Nancy?
By population, Metz: 124,396 inhabitants versus 104,988 for Nancy (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Metz is the 31st largest city in France, Nancy the 42nd. By area, Metz is also the larger (41.9 km²).
How far is Metz from Nancy?
Metz and Nancy are 46 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is the standard of living higher, in Metz or Nancy?
In Nancy, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,610 a year, versus €23,070 in Metz (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Metz or Nancy?
Metz: 1,833 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,708 in Nancy (climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each town).
Are Metz and Nancy in the same department?
No: Metz is in Moselle (57), and Nancy in Meurthe-et-Moselle (54), both in the Grand Est region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures