2026 comparison
Valenciennes vs Villeneuve-d'Ascq: 2026 comparison
Villeneuve-d'Ascq has more inhabitants than Valenciennes: 63,462 versus 43,966, or 44% more. Villeneuve-d'Ascq covers a larger area (27.5 km² versus 13.8 km²), but Valenciennes is more densely populated: 3,181 inhabitants per km² versus 2,311.
The median apartment price is higher in Villeneuve-d'Ascq: €2,763 per m² versus €2,226. The median standard of living is higher in Villeneuve-d'Ascq (€23,900 a year versus €22,180).
The two cities are 39 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Valenciennes
City in Nord
- Population
- 43,966 inhab.
- 173rd in France · 6th in its department
- Area
- 13.8 km²
- Density
- 3,181 per km²
© Jiel Beaumadier, CC BY-SA 3.0
Villeneuve-d'Ascq
City in Nord
- Population
- 63,462 inhab.
- 90th in France · 5th in its department
- Area
- 27.5 km²
- Density
- 2,311 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
ValenciennesVilleneuve-d'Ascq
| Criterion | Valenciennes | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+44% | 43,966 | 63,462 | More populous: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+44% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+0.1 pt | +0.1% | +0.2% | Stronger growth: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+0.1 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Valenciennes+1.0 pt | +1.4% | +0.4% | Stronger growth: Valenciennes+1.0 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Valenciennes+38% | 3,181 | 2,311 | Denser: Valenciennes+38% |
| Under 15More young people: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+2.7 pts | 14.9% | 17.6% | More young people: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+2.7 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Valenciennes+2.3 pts | 17.5% | 15.1% | More seniors: Valenciennes+2.3 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+0.25 | 1.85 | 2.10 | Larger households: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+0.25 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Valenciennes | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+24% | 2,226 | 2,763 | More expensive: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+24% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+90% | 1,649 | 3,133 | More expensive: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+90% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+18% | 12.1 | 14.3 | More expensive: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+18% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+40% | 9.6 | 13.5 | More expensive: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+40% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+7.7 pts | 33.1% | 40.8% | More homeowners: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+7.7 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+0.8 pt | 38.4% | 39.1% | More houses: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+0.8 pt |
| Second homesMore second homes: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+0.2 pt | 3.0% | 3.2% | More second homes: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+0.2 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Valenciennes+8.8 pts | 12.5% | 3.7% | More vacant homes: Valenciennes+8.8 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+1.8 pt | 49.44% | 51.23% | Higher rate: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+1.8 pt |
Sources: DGFiP (DVF), Ministry of Housing (rent map), INSEE, census, DGFiP, local taxation
Income and jobs
Residents’ income and jobs
| Criterion | Valenciennes | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+8% | 22,180 | 23,900 | Higher: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+8% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Valenciennes+3.8 pts | 27.8% | 24.0% | Higher: Valenciennes+3.8 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+27% | €25,059 | €31,798 | Higher: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+27% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+3.6 pts | 39% | 43% | More taxpaying households: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+3.6 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Valenciennes+1.7 pt | 68.8% | 67.1% | Higher: Valenciennes+1.7 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Valenciennes+3.2 pts | 18.8% | 15.6% | Higher: Valenciennes+3.2 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Valenciennes | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Laurent Degallaix | Sylvain Estager | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+1.2 pt | 95% | 96% | Better covered: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+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 | Valenciennes | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Valenciennes+47% | 88.7390 in total | 60.5384 in total | More shops per capita: Valenciennes+47% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+94% | 24.8109 in total | 12.881 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+94% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+63% | 60.0264 in total | 36.9234 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+63% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+3% | 21.896 in total | 21.1134 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+3% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+80% | 2.310 in total | 1.38 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+80% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+57% | 2.712 in total | 1.711 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+57% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+2 | 1 | 3 | More stations: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+2 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Valenciennes | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+23% | 4.4 | 5.4 | Better access: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+23% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+0.6% | 14.162 in total | 14.290 in total | More per capita: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+0.6% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+9% | 41.9184 in total | 38.3243 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+9% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+13% | 9.843 in total | 8.755 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+13% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+13% | 2.511 in total | 2.818 in total | More per capita: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+13% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Valenciennes+5 | 9 | 4 | More facilities: Valenciennes+5 |
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 | Valenciennes | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+21 | 24 | 45 | More schools: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+21 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+2 | 7 | 9 | More middle schools: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Valenciennes+4 | 8 | 4 | More high schools: Valenciennes+4 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+9 | 13 | 22 | More facilities: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+9 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Valenciennes | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+61% | 4.5 | 7.3 | Higher rate: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+61% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valenciennes+61% | 19.5 | 12.1 | Higher rate: Valenciennes+61% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valenciennes3.3 times as high | 11.1 | 3.4 | Higher rate: Valenciennes3.3 times as high |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Villeneuve-d'Ascq2.2 times as high | 3.0 | 6.7 | Higher rate: Villeneuve-d'Ascq2.2 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valenciennes+46% | 17.3 | 11.9 | Higher rate: Valenciennes+46% |
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 | Valenciennes | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+0.3 °C | 11.0°C | 11.3°C | Warmer: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+0.3 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,627 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+7% | 694 | 740 | Wetter: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+7% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+4 days/year | 122 | 126 | More rainy days: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+4 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Valenciennes+9 days/year | 46 | 37 | More frost days: Valenciennes+9 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Valenciennes+1 days/year | 8 | 7 | More hot days: Valenciennes+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 | Valenciennes | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+3 | 13 | 16 | More declarations: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+3 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 2 | 2 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Low, with aggravating factors | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Valenciennes | Villeneuve-d'Ascq | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+99% | 13.8 | 27.5 | Larger: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+99% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+9 m | 26 m | 34 m | Higher: Villeneuve-d'Ascq+9 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Nord (59) | Nord (59) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Valenciennes Métropole | Métropole Européenne de Lille | |
| Urban unit | Valenciennes (partie française) | Lille (partie française) | |
| Functional area | Valenciennes (partie française) | Lille (partie française) |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Valenciennes vs Villeneuve-d'Ascq at a glance
| Criterion | Valenciennes | Villeneuve-d'Ascq |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 43,966 | 63,462 |
| Change over 10 years | +1.4% | +0.4% |
| Density per km² | 3,181 | 2,311 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,226 | 2,763 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,649 | 3,133 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.1 | 14.3 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 49.44% | 51.23% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,180 | 23,900 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 18.8% | 15.6% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.4 | 5.4 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.5 | 7.3 |
| Average temperature | 11.0°C | 11.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,627 |
| Area km² | 13.8 | 27.5 |
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FAQ
Valenciennes vs Villeneuve-d'Ascq: your questions
Which is the larger city, Valenciennes or Villeneuve-d'Ascq?
By population, Villeneuve-d'Ascq: 63,462 inhabitants versus 43,966 for Valenciennes (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Villeneuve-d'Ascq is the 90th largest city in France, Valenciennes the 173rd. By area, Villeneuve-d'Ascq is also the larger (27.5 km²).
How far is Valenciennes from Villeneuve-d'Ascq?
Valenciennes and Villeneuve-d'Ascq are 39 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Nord).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Valenciennes or Villeneuve-d'Ascq?
To buy an apartment, Villeneuve-d'Ascq is more expensive: €2,763 per m² (median price), versus €2,226 in Valenciennes (+24%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Valenciennes or Villeneuve-d'Ascq?
In Villeneuve-d'Ascq, half of the residents have a standard of living above €23,900 a year, versus €22,180 in Valenciennes (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Valenciennes and Villeneuve-d'Ascq in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Nord (59), in the Hauts-de-France region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures