2026 comparison
Pau vs Tarbes: 2026 comparison
Pau has more inhabitants than Tarbes: 81,891 versus 45,361, or 81% more. Pau covers a larger area (31.5 km² versus 15.3 km²), but Tarbes is more densely populated: 2,959 inhabitants per km² versus 2,599.
The median apartment price is higher in Pau: €2,085 per m² versus €1,387. The median standard of living is higher in Pau (€23,320 a year versus €21,050).
The two cities are 34 km apart as the crow flies.
Pau
City in Pyrénées-Atlantiques
FPyrénées-Atlantiques64Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Population
- 81,891 inhab.
- 61st in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 31.5 km²
- Density
- 2,599 per km²
© Florent Pécassou, CC BY-SA 3.0
.jpg){kind=link}
Tarbes
City in Hautes-Pyrénées
- Population
- 45,361 inhab.
- 164th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 15.3 km²
- Density
- 2,959 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
PauTarbes
| Criterion | Pau | Tarbes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Pau+81% | 81,891 | 45,361 | More populous: Pau+81% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Pau+0.8 pt | +5.5% | +4.7% | Stronger growth: Pau+0.8 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Tarbes+4.4 pts | +3.7% | +8.1% | Stronger growth: Tarbes+4.4 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Tarbes+14% | 2,599 | 2,959 | Denser: Tarbes+14% |
| Under 15More young people: Tarbes+0.1 pt | 13.1% | 13.2% | More young people: Tarbes+0.1 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Tarbes+0.4 pt | 22.9% | 23.4% | More seniors: Tarbes+0.4 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Pau+0.05 | 1.71 | 1.66 | Larger households: Pau+0.05 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Pau | Tarbes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Pau+50% | 2,085 | 1,387 | More expensive: Pau+50% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Pau+51% | 2,536 | 1,685 | More expensive: Pau+51% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Pau+17% | 12.0 | 10.3 | More expensive: Pau+17% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Pau+17% | 11.6 | 9.9 | More expensive: Pau+17% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Pau+3.4 pts | 37.5% | 34.0% | More homeowners: Pau+3.4 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Tarbes+7.2 pts | 16.5% | 23.7% | More houses: Tarbes+7.2 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Tarbes+4.0 pts | 25.5% | 29.5% | More social housing: Tarbes+4.0 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Pau+1.1 pt | 3.3% | 2.2% | More second homes: Pau+1.1 pt |
| Vacant homesTie | 13.7% | 13.7% | Tie |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Tarbes+12 pts | 44.53% | 56.13% | Higher rate: Tarbes+12 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 | Pau | Tarbes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Pau+11% | 23,320 | 21,050 | Higher: Pau+11% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Tarbes+5.3 pts | 23.7% | 29.0% | Higher: Tarbes+5.3 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Pau+27% | €26,675 | €21,041 | Higher: Pau+27% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Pau+5.9 pts | 43% | 37% | More taxpaying households: Pau+5.9 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Pau+5.9 pts | 70.6% | 64.7% | Higher: Pau+5.9 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Tarbes+1.9 pt | 16.2% | 18.1% | Higher: Tarbes+1.9 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Pau | Tarbes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Jérôme Marbot | Pascal Claverie | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the left | miscellaneous centre | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Pau+1.1 pt | 99% | 98% | Better covered: Pau+1.1 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Pau | Tarbes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Tarbes+4% | 75.3617 in total | 78.7357 in total | More shops per capita: Tarbes+4% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Tarbes+15% | 23.8195 in total | 27.3124 in total | More per capita: Tarbes+15% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pau+16% | 47.6390 in total | 41.2187 in total | More per capita: Pau+16% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pau+3% | 26.4216 in total | 25.6116 in total | More per capita: Pau+3% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Tarbes+31% | 2.722 in total | 3.516 in total | More per capita: Tarbes+31% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Tarbes+17% | 2.420 in total | 2.913 in total | More per capita: Tarbes+17% |
| Passenger train stationsTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Pau | Tarbes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Pau+23% | 4.8 | 3.9 | Better access: Pau+23% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pau+34% | 10.082 in total | 7.534 in total | More per capita: Pau+34% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pau+21% | 33.1271 in total | 27.3124 in total | More per capita: Pau+21% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Tarbes+33% | 9.679 in total | 12.858 in total | More per capita: Tarbes+33% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Tarbes+13% | 3.932 in total | 4.420 in total | More per capita: Tarbes+13% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Tarbes+3 | 9 | 12 | More facilities: Tarbes+3 |
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 | Pau | Tarbes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Pau+10 | 34 | 24 | More schools: Pau+10 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Pau+2 | 13 | 11 | More middle schools: Pau+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Tarbes+1 | 13 | 14 | More high schools: Tarbes+1 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Pau+2 | 26 | 24 | More facilities: Pau+2 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Pau | Tarbes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Tarbes+14% | 4.2 | 4.8 | Higher rate: Tarbes+14% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Tarbes+24% | 11.1 | 13.8 | Higher rate: Tarbes+24% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Tarbes+4% | 5.4 | 5.6 | Higher rate: Tarbes+4% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Pau+10% | 1.7 | 1.6 | Higher rate: Pau+10% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Tarbes+24% | 10.4 | 12.9 | Higher rate: Tarbes+24% |
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 | Pau | Tarbes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Pau+0.9 °C | 13.7°C | 12.8°C | Warmer: Pau+0.9 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Tarbes+3% | 1,910 | 1,964 | Sunnier: Tarbes+3% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Pau+1% | 1,094 | 1,081 | Wetter: Pau+1% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Pau+5 days/year | 127 | 122 | More rainy days: Pau+5 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Tarbes+10 days/year | 29 | 39 | More frost days: Tarbes+10 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Pau+4 days/year | 20 | 15 | More hot days: Pau+4 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 | Pau | Tarbes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Pau+6 | 22 | 16 | More declarations: Pau+6 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Low, with aggravating factors | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Pau | Tarbes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Pau2.1 times as high | 31.5 | 15.3 | Larger: Pau2.1 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Tarbes+104 m | 206 m | 311 m | Higher: Tarbes+104 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| Department | Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64) | Hautes-Pyrénées (65) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Pau Béarn Pyrénées | Communauté d'agglomération Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées | |
| Urban unit | Pau | Tarbes | |
| Functional area | Pau | Tarbes |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Pau vs Tarbes at a glance
| Criterion | Pau | Tarbes |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 81,891 | 45,361 |
| Change over 10 years | +3.7% | +8.1% |
| Density per km² | 2,599 | 2,959 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,085 | 1,387 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,536 | 1,685 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.0 | 10.3 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 44.53% | 56.13% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 23,320 | 21,050 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 16.2% | 18.1% |
| Premises with fiber | 99% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.8 | 3.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.2 | 4.8 |
| Average temperature | 13.7°C | 12.8°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,910 | 1,964 |
| Area km² | 31.5 | 15.3 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Pau vs Tarbes: your questions
Which is the larger city, Pau or Tarbes?
By population, Pau: 81,891 inhabitants versus 45,361 for Tarbes (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Pau is the 61st largest city in France, Tarbes the 164th. By area, Pau is also the larger (31.5 km²).
How far is Pau from Tarbes?
Pau and Tarbes are 34 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Pau or Tarbes?
To buy an apartment, Pau is more expensive: €2,085 per m² (median price), versus €1,387 in Tarbes (+50%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Pau or Tarbes?
In Pau, half of the residents have a standard of living above €23,320 a year, versus €21,050 in Tarbes (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Pau or Tarbes?
Tarbes: 1,964 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,910 in Pau (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