2026 comparison
Aix-en-Provence vs Grenoble: 2026 comparison
Grenoble has more inhabitants than Aix-en-Provence: 158,303 versus 152,854, or 3.6% more. Aix-en-Provence covers a larger area (186 km² versus 18.1 km²), but Grenoble is more densely populated: 8,732 inhabitants per km² versus 821.
The median apartment price is higher in Aix-en-Provence: €4,797 per m² versus €2,595. The median standard of living is higher in Aix-en-Provence (€29,010 a year versus €24,270).
The two cities are 185 km apart as the crow flies.
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
Grenoble
City in Isère
- Population
- 158,303 inhab.
- 19th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 18.1 km²
- Density
- 8,732 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Aix-en-ProvenceGrenoble
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Grenoble+4% | 152,854 | 158,303 | More populous: Grenoble+4% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+5.6 pts | +4.6% | −1.0% | Stronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+5.6 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+8.3 pts | +5.8% | −2.5% | Stronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+8.3 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Grenoble11 times as high | 821 | 8,732 | Denser: Grenoble11 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Grenoble+1.7 pt | 12.8% | 14.4% | More young people: Grenoble+1.7 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Aix-en-Provence+4.8 pts | 20.0% | 15.3% | More seniors: Aix-en-Provence+4.8 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Aix-en-Provence+0.02 | 1.84 | 1.82 | Larger households: Aix-en-Provence+0.02 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+85% | 4,797 | 2,595 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+85% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+75% | 6,137 | 3,497 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+75% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Aix-en-Provence+43% | 19.1 | 13.4 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+43% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Aix-en-Provence+56% | 19.7 | 12.6 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+56% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Aix-en-Provence+3.0 pts | 39.1% | 36.1% | More homeowners: Aix-en-Provence+3.0 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Aix-en-Provence+17 pts | 19.5% | 2.8% | More houses: Aix-en-Provence+17 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Grenoble+2.9 pts | 22.0% | 24.9% | More social housing: Grenoble+2.9 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Aix-en-Provence+3.0 pts | 7.2% | 4.2% | More second homes: Aix-en-Provence+3.0 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Grenoble+5.5 pts | 8.0% | 13.5% | More vacant homes: Grenoble+5.5 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Grenoble+32 pts | 36.02% | 68.00% | Higher rate: Grenoble+32 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 | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Aix-en-Provence+20% | 29,010 | 24,270 | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+20% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Grenoble+7.2 pts | 16.4% | 23.6% | Higher: Grenoble+7.2 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Aix-en-Provence+49% | €41,363 | €27,758 | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+49% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Aix-en-Provence+6.1 pts | 54% | 48% | More taxpaying households: Aix-en-Provence+6.1 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Grenoble+0.4 pt | 70.9% | 71.3% | Higher: Grenoble+0.4 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Grenoble+2.0 pt | 11.2% | 13.2% | Higher: Grenoble+2.0 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Sophie Joissains | Laurence Ruffin | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberTie | 96% | 96% | Tie |
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 | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Aix-en-Provence+18% | 90.91,390 in total | 76.91,218 in total | More shops per capita: Aix-en-Provence+18% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+5% | 26.5405 in total | 27.9442 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+5% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+8% | 60.1918 in total | 64.61,023 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+8% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+23% | 17.1262 in total | 14.0221 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+23% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+9% | 2.132 in total | 2.336 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+9% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+57% | 2.944 in total | 1.829 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+57% |
| 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 | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Aix-en-Provence+27% | 5.0 | 4.0 | Better access: Aix-en-Provence+27% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+45% | 14.4220 in total | 9.9157 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+45% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+26% | 39.9610 in total | 31.7502 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+26% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+34% | 11.4174 in total | 8.5134 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+34% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+12% | 3.351 in total | 3.759 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+12% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Aix-en-Provence+10 | 17 | 7 | More facilities: Aix-en-Provence+10 |
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 | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Aix-en-Provence+26 | 88 | 62 | More schools: Aix-en-Provence+26 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Aix-en-Provence+2 | 20 | 18 | More middle schools: Aix-en-Provence+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Aix-en-Provence+3 | 21 | 18 | More high schools: Aix-en-Provence+3 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Aix-en-Provence+24 | 56 | 32 | More facilities: Aix-en-Provence+24 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Grenoble+12% | 6.2 | 7.0 | Higher rate: Grenoble+12% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble+83% | 14.6 | 26.8 | Higher rate: Grenoble+83% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble+42% | 4.3 | 6.1 | Higher rate: Grenoble+42% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+17% | 4.1 | 3.5 | Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+17% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble+92% | 9.4 | 18.0 | Higher rate: Grenoble+92% |
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 | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Aix-en-Provence+2.1 °C | 14.7°C | 12.6°C | Warmer: Aix-en-Provence+2.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,873 | — | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Grenoble+61% | 609 | 981 | Wetter: Grenoble+61% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Grenoble+49 days/year | 59 | 108 | More rainy days: Grenoble+49 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Grenoble+24 days/year | 43 | 67 | More frost days: Grenoble+24 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Aix-en-Provence+20 days/year | 55 | 35 | More hot days: Aix-en-Provence+20 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 | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Aix-en-Provence+23 | 28 | 5 | More declarations: Aix-en-Provence+23 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Aix-en-Provence+2 | 4 | 2 | More plans: Aix-en-Provence+2 |
| Radon potential | Low, with aggravating factors | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Grenoble | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Aix-en-Provence10 times as high | 186 | 18.1 | Larger: Aix-en-Provence10 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Grenoble+15 m | 198 m | 213 m | Higher: Grenoble+15 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Bouches-du-Rhône (13) | Isère (38) | |
| Intercommunality | Métropole d'Aix-Marseille-Provence | Grenoble-Alpes-Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Marseille-Aix-en-Provence | Grenoble | |
| Functional area | Marseille - Aix-en-Provence | Grenoble |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Aix-en-Provence vs Grenoble at a glance
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Grenoble |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 152,854 | 158,303 |
| Change over 10 years | +5.8% | −2.5% |
| Density per km² | 821 | 8,732 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,797 | 2,595 |
| Median house price €/m² | 6,137 | 3,497 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 19.1 | 13.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 36.02% | 68.00% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 29,010 | 24,270 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.2% | 13.2% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.2 | 7.0 |
| Average temperature | 14.7°C | 12.6°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,873 | — |
| Area km² | 186 | 18.1 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Aix-en-Provence vs Grenoble: your questions
Which is the larger city, Aix-en-Provence or Grenoble?
By population, Grenoble: 158,303 inhabitants versus 152,854 for Aix-en-Provence (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Grenoble is the 19th largest city in France, Aix-en-Provence the 22nd. By area, Aix-en-Provence is the larger (186 km²).
How far is Aix-en-Provence from Grenoble?
Aix-en-Provence and Grenoble are 185 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Aix-en-Provence or Grenoble?
To buy an apartment, Aix-en-Provence is more expensive: €4,797 per m² (median price), versus €2,595 in Grenoble (+85%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Aix-en-Provence or Grenoble?
In Aix-en-Provence, half of the residents have a standard of living above €29,010 a year, versus €24,270 in Grenoble (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Aix-en-Provence and Grenoble in the same department?
No: Aix-en-Provence is in Bouches-du-Rhône (13), in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, and Grenoble in Isère (38), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures