2026 comparison
Aix-en-Provence vs Arles: 2026 comparison
Aix-en-Provence has more inhabitants than Arles: 152,854 versus 52,515, or 2.9 times as many. Arles covers a larger area (759 km² versus 186 km²), but Aix-en-Provence is more densely populated: 821 inhabitants per km² versus 69.
The median apartment price is higher in Aix-en-Provence: €4,797 per m² versus €2,477. The median standard of living is higher in Aix-en-Provence (€29,010 a year versus €22,740).
The two cities are 59 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Aix-en-Provence
City in Bouches-du-Rhône
FBouches-du-Rhône13Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Population
- 152,854 inhab.
- 22nd in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 186 km²
- Density
- 821 per km²
© Steffen Heilfort, CC BY-SA 3.0
Arles
City in Bouches-du-Rhône
FBouches-du-Rhône13Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Population
- 52,515 inhab.
- 127th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 759 km²
- Density
- 69 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Aix-en-ProvenceArles
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Arles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Aix-en-Provence2.9 times as high | 152,854 | 52,515 | More populous: Aix-en-Provence2.9 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+3.1 pts | +4.6% | +1.5% | Stronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+3.1 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+7.2 pts | +5.8% | −1.4% | Stronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+7.2 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Aix-en-Provence12 times as high | 821 | 69.2 | Denser: Aix-en-Provence12 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Arles+3.7 pts | 12.8% | 16.5% | More young people: Arles+3.7 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Arles+3.7 pts | 20.0% | 23.7% | More seniors: Arles+3.7 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Arles+0.25 | 1.84 | 2.09 | Larger households: Arles+0.25 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Arles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+94% | 4,797 | 2,477 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+94% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Aix-en-Provence2.1 times as high | 6,137 | 2,957 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence2.1 times as high |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Aix-en-Provence+47% | 19.1 | 13.0 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+47% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Aix-en-Provence+67% | 19.7 | 11.8 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+67% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Arles+13 pts | 39.1% | 52.0% | More homeowners: Arles+13 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Arles+35 pts | 19.5% | 54.6% | More houses: Arles+35 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Arles+3.9 pts | 22.0% | 25.9% | More social housing: Arles+3.9 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Arles+0.1 pt | 7.2% | 7.3% | More second homes: Arles+0.1 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Arles+2.3 pts | 8.0% | 10.3% | More vacant homes: Arles+2.3 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Arles+10 pts | 36.02% | 46.05% | Higher rate: Arles+10 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 | Aix-en-Provence | Arles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Aix-en-Provence+28% | 29,010 | 22,740 | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+28% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Arles+8.1 pts | 16.4% | 24.5% | Higher: Arles+8.1 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Aix-en-Provence+59% | €41,363 | €26,059 | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+59% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Aix-en-Provence+15 pts | 54% | 39% | More taxpaying households: Aix-en-Provence+15 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Aix-en-Provence+2.3 pts | 70.9% | 68.6% | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+2.3 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Arles+0.5 pt | 11.2% | 11.7% | Higher: Arles+0.5 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Arles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Sophie Joissains | Patrick de Carolis | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous centre | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Aix-en-Provence+1.2 pt | 96% | 95% | Better covered: Aix-en-Provence+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 | Aix-en-Provence | Arles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Aix-en-Provence+10% | 90.91,390 in total | 83.0436 in total | More shops per capita: Aix-en-Provence+10% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+5% | 26.5405 in total | 25.3133 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+5% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+1% | 60.1918 in total | 59.2311 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+1% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arles+30% | 17.1262 in total | 22.3117 in total | More per capita: Arles+30% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 2.132 in total | 2.111 in total | Tie |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arles2.8 times as high | 2.944 in total | 8.243 in total | More per capita: Arles2.8 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Aix-en-Provence+1 | 2 | 1 | More stations: Aix-en-Provence+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Arles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Aix-en-Provence+14% | 5.0 | 4.4 | Better access: Aix-en-Provence+14% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arles+39% | 14.4220 in total | 20.0105 in total | More per capita: Arles+39% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence2.5 times as high | 39.9610 in total | 15.883 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence2.5 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+99% | 11.4174 in total | 5.730 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+99% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arles+26% | 3.351 in total | 4.222 in total | More per capita: Arles+26% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Aix-en-Provence+12 | 17 | 5 | More facilities: Aix-en-Provence+12 |
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 | Aix-en-Provence | Arles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Aix-en-Provence+46 | 88 | 42 | More schools: Aix-en-Provence+46 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Aix-en-Provence+13 | 20 | 7 | More middle schools: Aix-en-Provence+13 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Aix-en-Provence+14 | 21 | 7 | More high schools: Aix-en-Provence+14 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Aix-en-Provence+44 | 56 | 12 | More facilities: Aix-en-Provence+44 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Arles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Arles+16% | 6.2 | 7.2 | Higher rate: Arles+16% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+9% | 14.6 | 13.4 | Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+9% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Arles+16% | 4.3 | 5.0 | Higher rate: Arles+16% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+80% | 4.1 | 2.3 | Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+80% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Arles+9% | 9.4 | 10.3 | Higher rate: Arles+9% |
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 | Aix-en-Provence | Arles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Arles+0.5 °C | 14.7°C | 15.2°C | Warmer: Arles+0.5 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Aix-en-Provence+7% | 2,873 | 2,680 | Sunnier: Aix-en-Provence+7% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Aix-en-Provence+7% | 609 | 570 | Wetter: Aix-en-Provence+7% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Aix-en-Provence+5 days/year | 59 | 54 | More rainy days: Aix-en-Provence+5 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Aix-en-Provence+24 days/year | 43 | 19 | More frost days: Aix-en-Provence+24 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Aix-en-Provence+17 days/year | 55 | 38 | More hot days: Aix-en-Provence+17 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 | Aix-en-Provence | Arles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Aix-en-Provence+2 | 28 | 26 | More declarations: Aix-en-Provence+2 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Aix-en-Provence+3 | 4 | 1 | More plans: Aix-en-Provence+3 |
| Radon potential | Low, with aggravating factors | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Arles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Arles4.1 times as high | 186 | 759 | Larger: Arles4.1 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Aix-en-Provence+184 m | 198 m | 14 m | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+184 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Bouches-du-Rhône (13) | Bouches-du-Rhône (13) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Métropole d'Aix-Marseille-Provence | Communauté d'agglomération d'Arles-Crau-Camargue-Montagnette | |
| Urban unit | Marseille-Aix-en-Provence | Arles | |
| Functional area | Marseille - Aix-en-Provence | Arles |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Aix-en-Provence vs Arles at a glance
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Arles |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 152,854 | 52,515 |
| Change over 10 years | +5.8% | −1.4% |
| Density per km² | 821 | 69.2 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,797 | 2,477 |
| Median house price €/m² | 6,137 | 2,957 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 19.1 | 13.0 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 36.02% | 46.05% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 29,010 | 22,740 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.2% | 11.7% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.0 | 4.4 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.2 | 7.2 |
| Average temperature | 14.7°C | 15.2°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,873 | 2,680 |
| Area km² | 186 | 759 |
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FAQ
Aix-en-Provence vs Arles: your questions
Which is the larger city, Aix-en-Provence or Arles?
By population, Aix-en-Provence: 152,854 inhabitants versus 52,515 for Arles (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Aix-en-Provence is the 22nd largest city in France, Arles the 127th. By area, Arles is the larger (759 km²).
How far is Aix-en-Provence from Arles?
Aix-en-Provence and Arles are 59 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Bouches-du-Rhône).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Aix-en-Provence or Arles?
To buy an apartment, Aix-en-Provence is more expensive: €4,797 per m² (median price), versus €2,477 in Arles (+94%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Aix-en-Provence or Arles?
In Aix-en-Provence, half of the residents have a standard of living above €29,010 a year, versus €22,740 in Arles (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Aix-en-Provence or Arles?
Aix-en-Provence: 2,873 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 2,680 in Arles (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