2026 comparison
Quimper vs Valence (26): 2026 comparison
Quimper has more inhabitants than Valence: 66,579 versus 65,647, or 1.4% more. Quimper covers a larger area (84.5 km² versus 36.7 km²), but Valence is more densely populated: 1,789 inhabitants per km² versus 788.
The median apartment price is higher in Valence: €2,085 per m² versus €2,058. The median standard of living is higher in Quimper (€25,490 a year versus €22,790).
The two cities are 770 km apart as the crow flies.
Quimper
City in Finistère
- Population
- 66,579 inhab.
- 81st in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 84.5 km²
- Density
- 788 per km²
Valence
City in Drôme
- Population
- 65,647 inhab.
- 84th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 36.7 km²
- Density
- 1,789 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
QuimperValence
| Criterion | Quimper | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Quimper+1% | 66,579 | 65,647 | More populous: Quimper+1% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Quimper+2.3 pts | +1.9% | −0.4% | Stronger growth: Quimper+2.3 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Valence+3.0 pts | +1.3% | +4.4% | Stronger growth: Valence+3.0 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Valence2.3 times as high | 788 | 1,789 | Denser: Valence2.3 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Valence+1.9 pt | 13.8% | 15.6% | More young people: Valence+1.9 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Quimper+0.3 pt | 22.6% | 22.3% | More seniors: Quimper+0.3 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Valence+0.10 | 1.79 | 1.89 | Larger households: Valence+0.10 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Quimper | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Valence+1% | 2,058 | 2,085 | More expensive: Valence+1% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Valence+17% | 2,239 | 2,627 | More expensive: Valence+17% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Quimper+0.5% | 12.0 | 11.9 | More expensive: Quimper+0.5% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Valence+3% | 11.1 | 11.4 | More expensive: Valence+3% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Quimper+11 pts | 55.0% | 44.0% | More homeowners: Quimper+11 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Quimper+23 pts | 45.6% | 22.4% | More houses: Quimper+23 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Valence+3.4 pts | 24.7% | 28.1% | More social housing: Valence+3.4 pts |
| Second homesTie | 3.3% | 3.3% | Tie |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Valence+3.4 pts | 8.1% | 11.5% | More vacant homes: Valence+3.4 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Valence+3.1 pts | 42.29% | 45.36% | Higher rate: Valence+3.1 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 | Quimper | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Quimper+12% | 25,490 | 22,790 | Higher: Quimper+12% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Valence+9.6 pts | 14.5% | 24.1% | Higher: Valence+9.6 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Quimper+4% | €28,622 | €27,472 | Higher: Quimper+4% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Quimper+5.2 pts | 47% | 42% | More taxpaying households: Quimper+5.2 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Quimper+1.3 pt | 74.7% | 73.4% | Higher: Quimper+1.3 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Valence+2.6 pts | 12.7% | 15.3% | Higher: Valence+2.6 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Quimper | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Isabelle Assih | Nicolas Daragon | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the left | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Valence+1.2 pt | 95% | 96% | Better covered: Valence+1.2 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Quimper | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Valence+6% | 94.6630 in total | 100.7661 in total | More shops per capita: Valence+6% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valence+7% | 23.4156 in total | 25.0164 in total | More per capita: Valence+7% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valence+16% | 39.7264 in total | 45.9301 in total | More per capita: Valence+16% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Quimper+4% | 24.2161 in total | 23.3153 in total | More per capita: Quimper+4% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Quimper+5% | 2.617 in total | 2.416 in total | More per capita: Quimper+5% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valence+12% | 2.919 in total | 3.221 in total | More per capita: Valence+12% |
| 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 | Quimper | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Quimper+30% | 4.7 | 3.6 | Better access: Quimper+30% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Quimper+27% | 12.080 in total | 9.462 in total | More per capita: Quimper+27% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Quimper+16% | 24.8165 in total | 21.3140 in total | More per capita: Quimper+16% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Quimper+72% | 13.187 in total | 7.650 in total | More per capita: Quimper+72% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valence+6% | 3.624 in total | 3.825 in total | More per capita: Valence+6% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Quimper+15 | 24 | 9 | More facilities: Quimper+15 |
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 | Quimper | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Valence+16 | 29 | 45 | More schools: Valence+16 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Quimper+2 | 11 | 9 | More middle schools: Quimper+2 |
| High schoolsTie | 13 | 13 | Tie |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Valence+9 | 16 | 25 | More facilities: Valence+9 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Quimper | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Quimper+0.9% | 5.6 | 5.5 | Higher rate: Quimper+0.9% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valence2.4 times as high | 6.6 | 15.8 | Higher rate: Valence2.4 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valence+14% | 4.5 | 5.1 | Higher rate: Valence+14% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valence+97% | 1.4 | 2.7 | Higher rate: Valence+97% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valence+26% | 9.4 | 11.8 | Higher rate: Valence+26% |
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 | Quimper | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Valence+1.2 °C | 12.1°C | 13.3°C | Warmer: Valence+1.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,708 | — | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Quimper+39% | 1,214 | 874 | Wetter: Quimper+39% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Quimper+62 days/year | 150 | 88 | More rainy days: Quimper+62 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Valence+30 days/year | 16 | 45 | More frost days: Valence+30 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Valence+39 days/year | 2 | 41 | More hot days: Valence+39 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 | Quimper | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Quimper+6 | 16 | 10 | More declarations: Quimper+6 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Valence+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Valence+1 |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Quimper | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Quimper2.3 times as high | 84.5 | 36.7 | Larger: Quimper2.3 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Valence+123 m | 5 m | 128 m | Higher: Valence+123 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Finistère (29) | Drôme (26) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Quimper Bretagne Occidentale | Communauté d'agglomération Valence Romans Agglo | |
| Urban unit | Quimper | Valence | |
| Functional area | Quimper | Valence |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Quimper vs Valence (26) at a glance
| Criterion | Quimper | Valence |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 66,579 | 65,647 |
| Change over 10 years | +1.3% | +4.4% |
| Density per km² | 788 | 1,789 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,058 | 2,085 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,239 | 2,627 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.0 | 11.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 42.29% | 45.36% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,490 | 22,790 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 12.7% | 15.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.7 | 3.6 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 5.6 | 5.5 |
| Average temperature | 12.1°C | 13.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,708 | — |
| Area km² | 84.5 | 36.7 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Quimper vs Valence (26): your questions
Which is the larger city, Quimper or Valence?
By population, Quimper: 66,579 inhabitants versus 65,647 for Valence (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Quimper is the 81st largest city in France, Valence the 84th. By area, Quimper is also the larger (84.5 km²).
How far is Quimper from Valence?
Quimper and Valence are 770 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Quimper or Valence?
To buy an apartment, Valence is more expensive: €2,085 per m² (median price), versus €2,058 in Quimper (+1%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Quimper or Valence?
In Quimper, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,490 a year, versus €22,790 in Valence (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Quimper and Valence in the same department?
No: Quimper is in Finistère (29), in the Brittany region, and Valence in Drôme (26), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures