2026 comparison
Aix-en-Provence vs Marseille: 2026 comparison
Marseille has more inhabitants than Aix-en-Provence: 892,391 versus 152,854, or 5.8 times as many. Marseille is both larger (241 km² versus 186 km²) and more densely populated (3,709 inhabitants per km² versus 821).
The median apartment price is higher in Aix-en-Provence: €4,797 per m² versus €3,095. The median standard of living is higher in Aix-en-Provence (€29,010 a year versus €22,860).
The two cities are 28 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department and the same urban unit (Marseille-Aix-en-Provence).
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
Marseille
City in Bouches-du-Rhône
FBouches-du-Rhône13Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Population
- 892,391 inhab.
- 2nd in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 241 km²
- Density
- 3,709 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Aix-en-ProvenceMarseille
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Marseille5.8 times as high | 152,854 | 892,391 | More populous: Marseille5.8 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+2.6 pts | +4.6% | +2.0% | Stronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+2.6 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+2.2 pts | +5.8% | +3.6% | Stronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+2.2 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Marseille4.5 times as high | 821 | 3,709 | Denser: Marseille4.5 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Marseille+4.6 pts | 12.8% | 17.4% | More young people: Marseille+4.6 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Aix-en-Provence+0.5 pt | 20.0% | 19.5% | More seniors: Aix-en-Provence+0.5 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Marseille+0.23 | 1.84 | 2.07 | Larger households: Marseille+0.23 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+55% | 4,797 | 3,095 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+55% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+29% | 6,137 | 4,749 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+29% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Aix-en-Provence+17% | 19.1 | 16.3 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+17% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Aix-en-Provence+13% | 19.7 | 17.4 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+13% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Marseille+3.8 pts | 39.1% | 42.9% | More homeowners: Marseille+3.8 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Aix-en-Provence+4.6 pts | 19.5% | 14.9% | More houses: Aix-en-Provence+4.6 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesTie | 22.0% | 22.0% | Tie |
| Second homesMore second homes: Aix-en-Provence+3.7 pts | 7.2% | 3.5% | More second homes: Aix-en-Provence+3.7 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Aix-en-Provence+0.4 pt | 8.0% | 7.6% | More vacant homes: Aix-en-Provence+0.4 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Marseille+12 pts | 36.02% | 47.87% | Higher rate: Marseille+12 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 | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Aix-en-Provence+27% | 29,010 | 22,860 | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+27% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Marseille+12 pts | 16.4% | 28.1% | Higher: Marseille+12 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Aix-en-Provence+47% | €41,363 | €28,163 | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+47% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Aix-en-Provence+12 pts | 54% | 42% | More taxpaying households: Aix-en-Provence+12 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Aix-en-Provence+2.8 pts | 70.9% | 68.1% | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+2.8 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Marseille+2.3 pts | 11.2% | 13.5% | Higher: Marseille+2.3 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Sophie Joissains | Benoît Payan | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Aix-en-Provence+6.0 pts | 96% | 90% | Better covered: Aix-en-Provence+6.0 pts |
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 | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Aix-en-Provence+37% | 90.91,390 in total | 66.65,939 in total | More shops per capita: Aix-en-Provence+37% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+0.7% | 26.5405 in total | 26.72,381 in total | More per capita: Marseille+0.7% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+26% | 60.1918 in total | 47.84,267 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+26% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+78% | 17.1262 in total | 9.6860 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+78% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence2.5 times as high | 2.132 in total | 0.875 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence2.5 times as high |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence2.2 times as high | 2.944 in total | 1.3116 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence2.2 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Marseille+10 | 2 | 12 | More stations: Marseille+10 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Marseille+3% | 5.0 | 5.2 | Better access: Marseille+3% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+0.4% | 14.4220 in total | 14.51,290 in total | More per capita: Marseille+0.4% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+65% | 39.9610 in total | 24.22,157 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+65% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+15% | 11.4174 in total | 9.9887 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+15% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+19% | 3.351 in total | 4.0355 in total | More per capita: Marseille+19% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Marseille+52 | 17 | 69 | More facilities: Marseille+52 |
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 | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Marseille+426 | 88 | 514 | More schools: Marseille+426 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Marseille+96 | 20 | 116 | More middle schools: Marseille+96 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Marseille+73 | 21 | 94 | More high schools: Marseille+73 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Marseille+52 | 56 | 108 | More facilities: Marseille+52 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Marseille+50% | 6.2 | 9.3 | Higher rate: Marseille+50% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Marseille+32% | 14.6 | 19.3 | Higher rate: Marseille+32% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Marseille+18% | 4.3 | 5.0 | Higher rate: Marseille+18% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Marseille+59% | 4.1 | 6.5 | Higher rate: Marseille+59% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Marseille+42% | 9.4 | 13.4 | Higher rate: Marseille+42% |
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 | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Marseille+0.6 °C | 14.7°C | 15.3°C | Warmer: Marseille+0.6 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Marseille+0.8% | 2,873 | 2,898 | Sunnier: Marseille+0.8% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Marseille+1.0% | 609 | 615 | Wetter: Marseille+1.0% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Aix-en-Provence+2 days/year | 59 | 57 | More rainy days: Aix-en-Provence+2 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Aix-en-Provence+35 days/year | 43 | 8 | More frost days: Aix-en-Provence+35 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Aix-en-Provence+27 days/year | 55 | 28 | More hot days: Aix-en-Provence+27 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 | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Marseille+23 | 28 | 51 | More declarations: Marseille+23 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Marseille+1 | 4 | 5 | More plans: Marseille+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low, with aggravating factors | Low, with aggravating factors | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Marseille+29% | 186 | 241 | Larger: Marseille+29% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Aix-en-Provence+196 m | 198 m | 2 m | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+196 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Bouches-du-Rhône (13) | Bouches-du-Rhône (13) | Same |
| IntercommunalitySame | Métropole d'Aix-Marseille-Provence | Métropole d'Aix-Marseille-Provence | Same |
| Urban unitSame | Marseille-Aix-en-Provence | Marseille-Aix-en-Provence | Same |
| Functional areaSame | Marseille - Aix-en-Provence | Marseille - Aix-en-Provence | Same |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Aix-en-Provence vs Marseille at a glance
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Marseille |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 152,854 | 892,391 |
| Change over 10 years | +5.8% | +3.6% |
| Density per km² | 821 | 3,709 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,797 | 3,095 |
| Median house price €/m² | 6,137 | 4,749 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 19.1 | 16.3 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 36.02% | 47.87% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 29,010 | 22,860 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.2% | 13.5% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 90% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.0 | 5.2 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.2 | 9.3 |
| Average temperature | 14.7°C | 15.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,873 | 2,898 |
| Area km² | 186 | 241 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Aix-en-Provence vs Marseille: your questions
Which is the larger city, Aix-en-Provence or Marseille?
By population, Marseille: 892,391 inhabitants versus 152,854 for Aix-en-Provence (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Marseille is the 2nd largest city in France, Aix-en-Provence the 22nd. By area, Marseille is also the larger (241 km²).
How far is Aix-en-Provence from Marseille?
Aix-en-Provence and Marseille are 28 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 Marseille?
To buy an apartment, Aix-en-Provence is more expensive: €4,797 per m² (median price), versus €3,095 in Marseille (+55%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Aix-en-Provence or Marseille?
In Aix-en-Provence, half of the residents have a standard of living above €29,010 a year, versus €22,860 in Marseille (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Aix-en-Provence or Marseille?
Marseille: 2,898 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 2,873 in Aix-en-Provence (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