2026 comparison
Metz vs Thionville: 2026 comparison
Metz has more inhabitants than Thionville: 124,396 versus 43,398, or 2.9 times as many. Thionville covers a larger area (49.9 km² versus 41.9 km²), but Metz is more densely populated: 2,966 inhabitants per km² versus 870.
The median standard of living is higher in Thionville (€28,160 a year versus €23,070).
The two cities are 30 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Metz
City in Moselle
- Population
- 124,396 inhab.
- 31st in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 41.9 km²
- Density
- 2,966 per km²
Thionville
City in Moselle
- Population
- 43,398 inhab.
- 180th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 49.9 km²
- Density
- 870 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
MetzThionville
| Criterion | Metz | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Metz2.9 times as high | 124,396 | 43,398 | More populous: Metz2.9 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Thionville+0.2 pt | +5.1% | +5.4% | Stronger growth: Thionville+0.2 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Metz+0.8 pt | +3.3% | +2.5% | Stronger growth: Metz+0.8 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Metz3.4 times as high | 2,966 | 870 | Denser: Metz3.4 times as high |
| Under 15Tie | 15.0% | 15.0% | Tie |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Thionville+2.7 pts | 17.5% | 20.2% | More seniors: Thionville+2.7 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Thionville+0.04 | 1.88 | 1.92 | Larger households: Thionville+0.04 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Metz | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Thionville+21% | 13.4 | 16.2 | More expensive: Thionville+21% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Thionville+12% | 12.9 | 14.4 | More expensive: Thionville+12% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Thionville+12 pts | 33.4% | 45.3% | More homeowners: Thionville+12 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Thionville+12 pts | 12.8% | 25.0% | More houses: Thionville+12 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Metz+11 pts | 40.3% | 29.3% | More social housing: Metz+11 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Metz+0.5 pt | 2.7% | 2.1% | More second homes: Metz+0.5 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Metz+2.1 pts | 11.0% | 9.0% | More vacant homes: Metz+2.1 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Thionville+4.2 pts | 38.40% | 42.62% | Higher rate: Thionville+4.2 pts |
Sources: 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 | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Thionville+22% | 23,070 | 28,160 | Higher: Thionville+22% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Metz+7.2 pts | 26.4% | 19.2% | Higher: Metz+7.2 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Thionville+42% | €28,019 | €39,697 | Higher: Thionville+42% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Metz+3.5 pts | 42% | 38% | More taxpaying households: Metz+3.5 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Thionville+6.3 pts | 71.7% | 77.9% | Higher: Thionville+6.3 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Metz+4.0 pts | 14.3% | 10.3% | Higher: Metz+4.0 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Metz | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | François Grosdidier | Pierre Cuny | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous centre | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Thionville+1.6 pt | 95% | 97% | Better covered: Thionville+1.6 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Metz | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Thionville+23% | 75.6940 in total | 92.6402 in total | More shops per capita: Thionville+23% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+19% | 21.1263 in total | 17.777 in total | More per capita: Metz+19% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+6% | 47.0585 in total | 44.2192 in total | More per capita: Metz+6% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Thionville+25% | 24.2301 in total | 30.2131 in total | More per capita: Thionville+25% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+5% | 1.924 in total | 1.88 in total | More per capita: Metz+5% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+5% | 2.227 in total | 2.19 in total | More per capita: Metz+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 | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Metz+24% | 5.3 | 4.2 | Better access: Metz+24% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+15% | 11.4142 in total | 9.943 in total | More per capita: Metz+15% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+42% | 39.7494 in total | 27.9121 in total | More per capita: Metz+42% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+11% | 11.3140 in total | 10.144 in total | More per capita: Metz+11% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Metz+13% | 3.139 in total | 2.812 in total | More per capita: Metz+13% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Metz+6 | 13 | 7 | More facilities: Metz+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 | Metz | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Metz+42 | 63 | 21 | More schools: Metz+42 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Metz+12 | 18 | 6 | More middle schools: Metz+12 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Metz+7 | 17 | 10 | More high schools: Metz+7 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Metz+47 | 50 | 3 | More facilities: Metz+47 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Metz | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Thionville+1% | 5.7 | 5.8 | Higher rate: Thionville+1% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Metz+4% | 15.3 | 14.7 | Higher rate: Metz+4% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Metz+73% | 6.0 | 3.5 | Higher rate: Metz+73% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Metz+12% | 1.4 | 1.2 | Higher rate: Metz+12% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Thionville+8% | 11.1 | 12.0 | Higher rate: Thionville+8% |
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 | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Metz+0.9 °C | 11.1°C | 10.2°C | Warmer: Metz+0.9 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,833 | — | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Thionville+24% | 714 | 884 | Wetter: Thionville+24% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Thionville+18 days/year | 118 | 136 | More rainy days: Thionville+18 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Thionville+2 days/year | 61 | 63 | More frost days: Thionville+2 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Metz+7 days/year | 16 | 9 | More hot days: Metz+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 | Metz | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Metz+1 | 31 | 30 | More declarations: Metz+1 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Low | Low, with aggravating factors |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Metz | Thionville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Thionville+19% | 41.9 | 49.9 | Larger: Thionville+19% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Metz+25 m | 181 m | 156 m | Higher: Metz+25 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Moselle (57) | Moselle (57) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Metz Métropole | Thionville Fensch Agglomération | |
| Urban unit | Metz | Thionville | |
| Functional area | Metz | Luxembourg (partie française) |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Metz vs Thionville at a glance
| Criterion | Metz | Thionville |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 124,396 | 43,398 |
| Change over 10 years | +3.3% | +2.5% |
| Density per km² | 2,966 | 870 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.4 | 16.2 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 38.40% | 42.62% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 23,070 | 28,160 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 14.3% | 10.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.3 | 4.2 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 5.7 | 5.8 |
| Average temperature | 11.1°C | 10.2°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,833 | — |
| Area km² | 41.9 | 49.9 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Metz vs Thionville: your questions
Which is the larger city, Metz or Thionville?
By population, Metz: 124,396 inhabitants versus 43,398 for Thionville (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Metz is the 31st largest city in France, Thionville the 180th. By area, Thionville is the larger (49.9 km²).
How far is Metz from Thionville?
Metz and Thionville are 30 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Moselle).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Metz or Thionville?
In Thionville, half of the residents have a standard of living above €28,160 a year, versus €23,070 in Metz (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Metz and Thionville in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Moselle (57), in the Grand Est region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures