Strasbourg vs Bordeaux
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Strasbourg leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Bordeaux where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Bordeaux's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Strasbourg | Bordeaux |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 68 | 71 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 48 | 48 |
| Climate | 91 | 99 |
| Safety | 68 | 69 |
| Summer °C | 19.9 | 20.2 |
| Winter °C | 1.9 | 5.7 |
| Top disaster risk | extreme cold / winter | flooding |
Strasbourg vs Bordeaux: the short answer
Bordeaux comes out ahead on overall livability (71/100), modestly above Strasbourg (68/100). The two cities diverge most on climate. On affordability Bordeaux is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Strasbourg 48 vs Bordeaux 48, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Bordeaux runs warmer in summer (about 20.2°C peak vs 19.9°C in Strasbourg), while winter lows sit near 1.9°C in Strasbourg and 5.7°C in Bordeaux. On natural-disaster exposure Bordeaux is the safer choice (safety 69/100); the dominant modelled hazard is extreme cold / winter for Strasbourg and flooding for Bordeaux.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Bordeaux — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Bordeaux — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Bordeaux — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Bordeaux — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Strasbourg or Bordeaux better to live in?
Bordeaux scores higher overall — 71 vs 68 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Strasbourg or Bordeaux?
Bordeaux has the lower cost of living (cost index 48 vs 48; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Strasbourg or Bordeaux?
Bordeaux — summer highs reach about 20.2°C versus 19.9°C in Strasbourg.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Strasbourg or Bordeaux?
Bordeaux (disaster-safety 69/100). Main hazard: extreme cold / winter in Strasbourg, flooding in Bordeaux.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Strasbourg?
extreme cold / winter is the dominant modelled hazard for Strasbourg on our risk index.
How is the Strasbourg vs Bordeaux comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.