#1Briis-sous-Forges
3,342 peopleScore 72.2·#137 of 3,798 French towns
Strongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C
Briis-sous-Forges, #1 on this list · Photo: Tykayn (CC BY-SA 4.0)Essonne · 2026
Best places to live in Essonne
Briis-sous-Forges ranks first of 91 ranked towns of 2,500 or more in Essonne, and #137 of 3,798 French towns. 10 of the 91 grade A− or better; scores run from 72.2 down to 20.7.
The overall score, sorted within the département; the letter compares each town with every French town of 2,500+, and its rank among French towns sits beside it. How grades work
#1A+
#2Limours
6,517 peopleScore 71.6·#150 of 3,798 French towns
Strongest: jobs & income A, health A·lowest: cost of living C
#3Nozay
4,471 peopleScore 69.0·#235 of 3,798 French towns
Strongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D
All 91 towns, ranked
By overall score against French towns; ranks are within the département, and each French rank links to the national list.
91 towns
#TownScoreGrade · French rankWhat drives it
1Briis-sous-Forges3,342 people72.2top 3.6%A+#137 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living C
2Limours6,517 people71.6top 3.9%A+#150 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, health A·lowest: cost of living C
3Nozay4,471 people69.0top 6.2%A#235 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D
4Saclay4,437 people64.5top 12.4%A#473 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D−
5Bruyères-le-Châtel3,788 people64.4top 12.6%A#478 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D
6Marolles-en-Hurepoix5,708 people64.1top 13.0%A#495 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living D
7Gif-sur-Yvette22,544 people62.3top 16.2%A−#617 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D
8Gometz-le-Châtel2,630 people60.9top 18.7%A−#711 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: health A, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living D
9Boissy-sous-Saint-Yon3,882 people59.6top 21.6%A−#822 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, walkability A−·lowest: cost of living C−
10Cerny3,531 people58.0top 25.0%A−#951 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: safety A−, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living C
11Marcoussis8,618 people56.5top 28.9%B+#1,097 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, health A−·lowest: cost of living C−
12Morigny-Champigny4,412 people54.9top 32.4%B+#1,231 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, safety A−·lowest: cost of living D
13Lardy5,530 people54.5top 33.7%B+#1,282 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, walkability A·lowest: schools C−
14Bures-sur-Yvette9,548 people53.9top 35.5%B#1,348 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living D
15Orsay16,498 people53.9top 35.5%B#1,350 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A+·lowest: cost of living D
16Palaiseau37,471 people53.3top 36.9%B#1,403 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living D
17Le Plessis-Pâté4,154 people52.8top 38.3%B#1,457 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D
18Wissous7,151 people52.0top 41.1%B#1,560 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A+·lowest: cost of living D
19Villebon-sur-Yvette10,291 people51.9top 41.2%B#1,567 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: cost of living D
20Soisy-sur-Seine7,418 people51.8top 41.8%B#1,589 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, health A·lowest: cost of living D−
21Ollainville5,455 people51.6top 42.3%B#1,606 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, walkability A−·lowest: cost of living D
22Le Mérévillois3,477 people51.5top 42.5%B#1,616 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: safety A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: schools D
23La Ferté-Alais3,731 people50.9top 44.1%B#1,676 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: cost of living C
24La Norville4,268 people50.5top 45.5%B−#1,727 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: health A, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D
25Villiers-sur-Orge4,545 people49.9top 47.0%B−#1,785 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: health A+, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D
26Ormoy3,225 people49.7top 47.5%B−#1,805 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: safety A−, health B+·lowest: cost of living C−
27Étréchy6,986 people49.6top 47.8%B−#1,817 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, jobs & income A·lowest: schools D−
28Tigery4,333 people49.5top 48.1%B−#1,827 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D−
29Ballainvilliers4,904 people49.2top 48.9%B−#1,858 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: cost of living D
30Leuville-sur-Orge4,271 people49.2top 48.9%B−#1,859 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: safety A−, walkability B+·lowest: cost of living D
31Étiolles3,105 people49.2top 49.0%B−#1,861 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: health A, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living D−
32Igny10,833 people48.8bottom 49.7%B−#1,909 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, health A·lowest: cost of living D−
33Bièvres4,686 people48.6bottom 49.2%B−#1,929 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D
34Saint-Germain-lès-Corbeil7,469 people48.5bottom 49.0%B−#1,936 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, health A−·lowest: cost of living D−
35Saint-Pierre-du-Perray11,993 people48.3bottom 48.6%B−#1,953 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A−, health B+·lowest: cost of living D−
36Les Ulis25,886 people48.2bottom 48.5%B−#1,958 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: jobs & income C−
37Itteville6,746 people48.0bottom 47.9%B−#1,979 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A−, safety B+·lowest: cost of living C−
38Brunoy25,643 people47.7bottom 47.0%B−#2,013 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A−·lowest: cost of living D
39Villemoisson-sur-Orge7,332 people47.6bottom 46.5%B−#2,033 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A−·lowest: cost of living D
40Mennecy16,433 people47.1bottom 44.9%C+#2,093 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, health A·lowest: schools D
41Crosne9,610 people47.0bottom 44.7%C+#2,100 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A−·lowest: cost of living D
42Ballancourt-sur-Essonne8,191 people46.8bottom 44.3%C+#2,117 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: health A+, walkability A·lowest: schools D−
43Égly7,166 people46.4bottom 43.4%C+#2,151 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A−·lowest: cost of living D
44Saintry-sur-Seine5,882 people46.1bottom 42.3%C+#2,190 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A−, safety A−·lowest: cost of living D
45Yerres27,906 people46.0bottom 42.2%C+#2,194 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
46Longjumeau21,996 people45.9bottom 41.9%C+#2,208 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A−·lowest: cost of living C−
47Milly-la-Forêt4,562 people45.8bottom 41.5%C+#2,223 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, walkability A−·lowest: schools D−
48Draveil30,098 people45.6bottom 40.9%C+#2,246 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D
49Paray-Vieille-Poste8,202 people45.4bottom 40.3%C+#2,269 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living D−
50Verrières-le-Buisson15,057 people45.1bottom 39.6%C+#2,296 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D−
51Champlan2,615 people45.0bottom 39.4%C+#2,302 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: health A, walkability A−·lowest: cost of living D
52Saulx-les-Chartreux6,733 people44.5bottom 38.1%C+#2,353 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, health A−·lowest: cost of living D
53Épinay-sur-Orge10,722 people44.3bottom 37.3%C+#2,380 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A−·lowest: cost of living D
54Saint-Chéron5,132 people43.8bottom 36.4%C+#2,414 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, jobs & income B·lowest: schools D−
55Massy51,729 people43.6bottom 35.8%C+#2,437 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A−·lowest: cost of living D
56Montlhéry9,772 people43.2bottom 35.2%C+#2,462 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living D
57La Ville-du-Bois8,161 people43.1bottom 34.9%C#2,474 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living D
58Villejust2,558 people43.1bottom 34.5%C#2,488 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A+, walkability B−·lowest: cost of living D
59Le Coudray-Montceaux4,801 people42.9bottom 34.2%C#2,501 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living D
60Dourdan11,415 people42.8bottom 33.9%C#2,510 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, jobs & income B−·lowest: cost of living C−
61Lisses7,373 people42.7bottom 33.8%C#2,515 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: health A+, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living D
62Morangis14,129 people42.4bottom 32.9%C#2,547 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living D
63Longpont-sur-Orge6,482 people41.3bottom 30.8%C#2,628 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: health A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: cost of living D
64Breuillet9,157 people41.1bottom 30.3%C#2,647 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A−, safety B+·lowest: schools D−
65Savigny-sur-Orge37,601 people41.0bottom 29.9%C#2,664 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A−·lowest: cost of living D
66Vert-le-Petit2,714 people40.7bottom 29.0%C#2,698 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A−, safety B+·lowest: schools D
67Villabé5,830 people40.7bottom 28.7%C#2,707 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, health A−·lowest: cost of living D
68Saint-Michel-sur-Orge21,776 people39.9bottom 26.7%C#2,784 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A−·lowest: cost of living C−
69Chilly-Mazarin20,443 people39.7bottom 26.2%C#2,805 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: safety D
70Montgeron24,022 people39.5bottom 25.7%C#2,823 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B·lowest: cost of living D
71Bondoufle10,767 people39.4bottom 25.5%C#2,831 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: jobs & income A, walkability A·lowest: cost of living D
72Quincy-sous-Sénart9,477 people38.8bottom 23.9%C−#2,890 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B·lowest: cost of living D
73Fleury-Mérogis13,721 people38.7bottom 23.7%C−#2,900 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D
74Brétigny-sur-Orge26,658 people38.6bottom 23.2%C−#2,916 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, health B·lowest: cost of living D
75Arpajon11,698 people38.6bottom 23.2%C−#2,917 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
76Saint-Germain-lès-Arpajon11,623 people38.4bottom 22.8%C−#2,931 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A−, safety B−·lowest: cost of living D
77Angerville4,428 people38.4bottom 22.8%C−#2,932 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, safety B−·lowest: jobs & income C−
78Boussy-Saint-Antoine8,097 people38.3bottom 22.4%C−#2,947 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B+·lowest: cost of living D
79Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois35,438 people37.9bottom 21.7%C−#2,975 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A−·lowest: cost of living D
80Linas7,987 people36.1bottom 17.9%C−#3,117 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A, health B−·lowest: cost of living C−
81Épinay-sous-Sénart11,611 people35.7bottom 17.3%C−#3,142 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, safety B·lowest: jobs & income D−
82Viry-Châtillon30,838 people34.0bottom 13.9%D#3,271 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health A−·lowest: jobs & income D
83Étampes26,857 people33.4bottom 12.9%D#3,307 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health C+·lowest: jobs & income C−
84Morsang-sur-Orge21,667 people33.0bottom 11.9%D#3,345 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B·lowest: cost of living D
85Athis-Mons36,613 people31.5bottom 9.6%D#3,432 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B−·lowest: cost of living D
86Juvisy-sur-Orge19,292 people29.0bottom 6.2%D#3,562 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B−·lowest: cost of living D
87Grigny26,842 people28.4bottom 5.4%D#3,593 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, cost of living B−·lowest: jobs & income D−
88Vigneux-sur-Seine31,466 people27.9bottom 4.7%D−#3,618 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health C+·lowest: jobs & income D−
89Évry-Courcouronnes66,919 people27.8bottom 4.6%D−#3,623 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health B−·lowest: schools D
90Ris-Orangis31,189 people27.0bottom 3.8%D−#3,652 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health C+·lowest: jobs & income D
91Corbeil-Essonnes54,471 people20.7bottom 0.6%D−#3,775 of 3,798 nationallyStrongest: walkability A+, health C−·lowest: safety D
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What is the best place to live in Essonne?
Briis-sous-Forges ranks first of 91 graded towns of 2,500 or more: health (A+) and jobs & income (A+) are its strongest grades; cost of living (C) is its lowest. Limours and Nozay follow.
How are these towns ranked?
By the overall grade, which blends six graded subjects (cost of living, safety, schools, health, jobs and income, walkability) from public data, each comparing a town with every French town of 1,000 or more. The rank is among the towns of 2,500 or more in Essonne, where five or more have an overall grade.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers places of 2,500 or more with an overall grade. Smaller places, and towns missing figures the overall grade needs, show their grades on their own pages; every commune is listed on the Essonne page.
Département by département
Best places to live, département by département
AinAisneAllierAlpes-de-Haute-ProvenceAlpes-MaritimesArdècheAubeAudeBas-RhinBouches-du-RhôneCalvadosCharenteCharente-MaritimeCôte-d'OrCôtes-d'ArmorDeux-SèvresDordogneDoubsDrômeEssonneEureEure-et-LoirFinistèreGardGirondeHaut-RhinHaute-GaronneHaute-LoireHaute-SavoieHaute-VienneHauts-de-SeineHéraultIlle-et-VilaineIndre-et-LoireIsèreLandesLoir-et-CherLoireLoire-AtlantiqueLoiretLot-et-GaronneMaine-et-LoireMancheMarneMayenneMeurthe-et-MoselleMorbihanMoselleNordOiseOrneParisPas-de-CalaisPuy-de-DômePyrénées-AtlantiquesPyrénées-OrientalesRéunionRhôneSaône-et-LoireSartheSavoieSeine-et-MarneSeine-MaritimeSeine-Saint-DenisSommeTarnTarn-et-GaronneVal-d'OiseVal-de-MarneVarVaucluseVendéeVienneVosgesYonneYvelines
Photos: Briis-sous-Forges, Tykayn (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Limours, Rémih (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Nozay, Véronique PAGNIER (Public domain), via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources: TownRatings grades: our own summary of the data, ranking French towns against each other only, run #57 of November 4, 2026. Under the Licence Ouverte / Open Licence 2.0 (Etalab).
Contains public sector information under the Licence Ouverte / Open Licence 2.0 (Etalab): INSEE, DGFiP, the Interior Ministry’s statistics service (SSMSI), the Ministry of Education (DEPP), the Health Ministry’s statistics service (DREES) and the Housing Ministry (Carte des loyers). Commune boundaries: IGN Admin Express.