Largest City in France

2026 comparison

Aix-en-Provence vs Martigues: 2026 comparison

Aix-en-Provence has more inhabitants than Martigues: 152,854 versus 48,807, or 3.1 times as many. Aix-en-Provence is both larger (186 km² versus 71.4 km²) and more densely populated (821 inhabitants per km² versus 683).

The median apartment price is higher in Aix-en-Provence: €4,797 per m² versus €2,723. The median standard of living is higher in Aix-en-Provence (€29,010 a year versus €25,120).

The two cities are 32 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department and the same urban unit (Marseille-Aix-en-Provence).

Aix-en-ProvenceMartigues
Aix-en-ProvenceMartigues32 km as the crow flies

Aix-en-Provence

City in Bouches-du-Rhône

Bouches-du-Rhône13Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Population
152,854 inhab.
22nd in France · 2nd in its department
Area
186 km²
Density
821 per km²
Full profile of Aix-en-Provence

© Benjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0

Martigues

City in Bouches-du-Rhône

Bouches-du-Rhône13Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur

Population
48,807 inhab.
139th in France · 4th in its department
Area
71.4 km²
Density
683 per km²
Full profile of Martigues

Population

Population and demographics

Municipal population since 1876

Aix-en-ProvenceMartigues

Population: Aix-en-Provence and Martigues compared
CriterionAix-en-ProvenceMartiguesDifference
Population inhab.More populous: Aix-en-Provence3.1 times as high152,85448,807More populous: Aix-en-Provence3.1 times as high
Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+4.9 pts+4.6%−0.3%Stronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+4.9 pts
Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+4.9 pts+5.8%+0.8%Stronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+4.9 pts
Density per km²Denser: Aix-en-Provence+20%821683Denser: Aix-en-Provence+20%
Under 15More young people: Martigues+4.2 pts12.8%17.0%More young people: Martigues+4.2 pts
65 and overMore seniors: Martigues+3.0 pts20.0%23.0%More seniors: Martigues+3.0 pts
People per householdLarger households: Martigues+0.241.842.08Larger households: Martigues+0.24

Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census

Housing

Real estate prices and housing

Housing: Aix-en-Provence and Martigues compared
CriterionAix-en-ProvenceMartiguesDifference
Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+76%4,7972,723More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+76%
Median house price €/m²More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+54%6,1373,974More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+54%
Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Aix-en-Provence+23%19.115.5More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+23%
House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Aix-en-Provence+30%19.715.1More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+30%
Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Martigues+7.8 pts39.1%46.9%More homeowners: Martigues+7.8 pts
Share of housesMore houses: Martigues+18 pts19.5%37.0%More houses: Martigues+18 pts
Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Martigues+9.8 pts22.0%31.8%More social housing: Martigues+9.8 pts
Second homesMore second homes: Aix-en-Provence+0.8 pt7.2%6.4%More second homes: Aix-en-Provence+0.8 pt
Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Aix-en-Provence+1.3 pt8.0%6.8%More vacant homes: Aix-en-Provence+1.3 pt
Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Martigues+5.0 pts36.02%41.01%Higher rate: Martigues+5.0 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

Income and jobs: Aix-en-Provence and Martigues compared
CriterionAix-en-ProvenceMartiguesDifference
Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Aix-en-Provence+15%29,01025,120Higher: Aix-en-Provence+15%
Poverty rateHigher: Martigues+3.7 pts16.4%20.1%Higher: Martigues+3.7 pts
Average taxable income per householdHigher: Aix-en-Provence+42%€41,363€29,091Higher: Aix-en-Provence+42%
Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Aix-en-Provence+7.1 pts54%47%More taxpaying households: Aix-en-Provence+7.1 pts
Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Martigues+2.7 pts70.9%73.6%Higher: Martigues+2.7 pts
Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Martigues+0.9 pt11.2%12.1%Higher: Martigues+0.9 pt

Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census

Local life

Town hall and fiber internet

Local life: Aix-en-Provence and Martigues compared
CriterionAix-en-ProvenceMartiguesDifference
MayorSophie JoissainsGaby Charroux
Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)miscellaneous rightmiscellaneous left
Premises with fiberBetter covered: Martigues+3.0 pts96%99%Better covered: Martigues+3.0 pts

Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep

Shops and facilities

Shops, leisure and transportation

Shops and facilities: Aix-en-Provence and Martigues compared
CriterionAix-en-ProvenceMartiguesDifference
Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Aix-en-Provence+69%90.91,390 in total53.7262 in totalMore shops per capita: Aix-en-Provence+69%
Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+24%26.5405 in total21.3104 in totalMore per capita: Aix-en-Provence+24%
Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+18%60.1918 in total50.8248 in totalMore per capita: Aix-en-Provence+18%
Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Martigues+14%17.1262 in total19.595 in totalMore per capita: Martigues+14%
Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Martigues+27%2.132 in total2.713 in totalMore per capita: Martigues+27%
Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+28%2.944 in total2.311 in totalMore per capita: Aix-en-Provence+28%
Passenger train stationsMore stations: Martigues+123More stations: Martigues+1

Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)

Health

Health care

Health: Aix-en-Provence and Martigues compared
CriterionAix-en-ProvenceMartiguesDifference
Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Aix-en-Provence+36%5.03.7Better access: Aix-en-Provence+36%
General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+46%14.4220 in total9.848 in totalMore per capita: Aix-en-Provence+46%
Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence2.3 times as high39.9610 in total17.284 in totalMore per capita: Aix-en-Provence2.3 times as high
Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+92%11.4174 in total5.929 in totalMore per capita: Aix-en-Provence+92%
Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.Tie3.351 in total3.316 in totalTie
HospitalsMore facilities: Aix-en-Provence+10177More 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

Education: Aix-en-Provence and Martigues compared
CriterionAix-en-ProvenceMartiguesDifference
Primary schoolsMore schools: Aix-en-Provence+608828More schools: Aix-en-Provence+60
Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Aix-en-Provence+15205More middle schools: Aix-en-Provence+15
High schoolsMore high schools: Aix-en-Provence+15216More high schools: Aix-en-Provence+15
Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Aix-en-Provence+54562More facilities: Aix-en-Provence+54

Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)

Recorded crime

Offenses recorded by the police

Recorded crime: Aix-en-Provence and Martigues compared
CriterionAix-en-ProvenceMartiguesDifference
Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Martigues+72%6.210.7Higher rate: Martigues+72%
Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+64%14.68.9Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+64%
Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+21%4.33.5Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+21%
Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Martigues+47%4.16.0Higher rate: Martigues+47%
Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Martigues+16%9.410.9Higher rate: Martigues+16%

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

Climate: Aix-en-Provence and Martigues compared
CriterionAix-en-ProvenceMartiguesDifference
Average temperatureWarmer: Martigues+1.2 °C14.7°C15.9°CWarmer: Martigues+1.2 °C
Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Martigues+0.8%2,8732,898Sunnier: Martigues+0.8%
Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Aix-en-Provence+18%609517Wetter: Aix-en-Provence+18%
Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Aix-en-Provence+7 days/year5952More rainy days: Aix-en-Provence+7 days/year
Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Aix-en-Provence+36 days/year437More frost days: Aix-en-Provence+36 days/year
Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Aix-en-Provence+27 days/year5529More 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

Natural hazards: Aix-en-Provence and Martigues compared
CriterionAix-en-ProvenceMartiguesDifference
Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Aix-en-Provence+12827More declarations: Aix-en-Provence+1
Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Aix-en-Provence+143More plans: Aix-en-Provence+1
Radon potentialSameLow, with aggravating factorsLow, with aggravating factorsSame

Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN

Land

Area, terrain and administrative areas

Land: Aix-en-Provence and Martigues compared
CriterionAix-en-ProvenceMartiguesDifference
Area km²Larger: Aix-en-Provence2.6 times as high18671.4Larger: Aix-en-Provence2.6 times as high
Town hall elevationHigher: Aix-en-Provence+196 m198 m1 mHigher: Aix-en-Provence+196 m
Coastal communeNoYes (sea)
Density grid (INSEE)SameLarge urban centreLarge urban centreSame
DepartmentSameBouches-du-Rhône (13)Bouches-du-Rhône (13)Same
IntercommunalitySameMétropole d'Aix-Marseille-ProvenceMétropole d'Aix-Marseille-ProvenceSame
Urban unitSameMarseille-Aix-en-ProvenceMarseille-Aix-en-ProvenceSame
Functional areaSameMarseille - Aix-en-ProvenceMarseille - Aix-en-ProvenceSame

Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications

Summary

Aix-en-Provence vs Martigues at a glance

Summary table: Aix-en-Provence and Martigues
CriterionAix-en-ProvenceMartigues
Population inhab.152,85448,807
Change over 10 years+5.8%+0.8%
Density per km²821683
Median apartment price €/m²4,7972,723
Median house price €/m²6,1373,974
Apartment rent €/m²19.115.5
Property tax (combined rate)36.02%41.01%
Median standard of living €/year29,01025,120
Unemployment rate (census)11.2%12.1%
Premises with fiber96%99%
Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year5.03.7
Home burglaries per 1,000 homes6.210.7
Average temperature14.7°C15.9°C
Sunshine h/year2,8732,898
Area km²18671.4

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FAQ

Aix-en-Provence vs Martigues: your questions

Which is the larger city, Aix-en-Provence or Martigues?

By population, Aix-en-Provence: 152,854 inhabitants versus 48,807 for Martigues (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Aix-en-Provence is the 22nd largest city in France, Martigues the 139th. By area, Aix-en-Provence is also the larger (186 km²).

How far is Aix-en-Provence from Martigues?

Aix-en-Provence and Martigues are 32 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 Martigues?

To buy an apartment, Aix-en-Provence is more expensive: €4,797 per m² (median price), versus €2,723 in Martigues (+76%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).

Where is the standard of living higher, in Aix-en-Provence or Martigues?

In Aix-en-Provence, half of the residents have a standard of living above €29,010 a year, versus €25,120 in Martigues (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).

Which city is sunnier, Aix-en-Provence or Martigues?

Martigues: 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

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