2026 comparison
Aix-en-Provence vs Nîmes: 2026 comparison
Nîmes has more inhabitants than Aix-en-Provence: 154,017 versus 152,854, or 0.8% more. Aix-en-Provence covers a larger area (186 km² versus 162 km²), but Nîmes is more densely populated: 952 inhabitants per km² versus 821.
The median apartment price is higher in Aix-en-Provence: €4,797 per m² versus €2,120. The median standard of living is higher in Aix-en-Provence (€29,010 a year versus €20,830).
The two cities are 90 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
Nîmes
City in Gard
- Population
- 154,017 inhab.
- 21st in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 162 km²
- Density
- 952 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Aix-en-ProvenceNîmes
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Nîmes+0.8% | 152,854 | 154,017 | More populous: Nîmes+0.8% |
| 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+4.9 pts | +5.8% | +0.8% | Stronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+4.9 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Nîmes+16% | 821 | 952 | Denser: Nîmes+16% |
| Under 15More young people: Nîmes+4.0 pts | 12.8% | 16.7% | More young people: Nîmes+4.0 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Nîmes+1.3 pt | 20.0% | 21.3% | More seniors: Nîmes+1.3 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Nîmes+0.15 | 1.84 | 1.99 | Larger households: Nîmes+0.15 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Aix-en-Provence2.3 times as high | 4,797 | 2,120 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence2.3 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Aix-en-Provence2.2 times as high | 6,137 | 2,852 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence2.2 times as high |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Aix-en-Provence+31% | 19.1 | 14.6 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+31% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Aix-en-Provence+62% | 19.7 | 12.1 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+62% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Nîmes+0.7 pt | 39.1% | 39.8% | More homeowners: Nîmes+0.7 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Nîmes+9.4 pts | 19.5% | 28.9% | More houses: Nîmes+9.4 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Nîmes+2.9 pts | 22.0% | 24.9% | More social housing: Nîmes+2.9 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Aix-en-Provence+1.6 pt | 7.2% | 5.6% | More second homes: Aix-en-Provence+1.6 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Nîmes+3.0 pts | 8.0% | 11.1% | More vacant homes: Nîmes+3.0 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Nîmes+18 pts | 36.02% | 54.00% | Higher rate: Nîmes+18 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 | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Aix-en-Provence+39% | 29,010 | 20,830 | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+39% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Nîmes+16 pts | 16.4% | 32.4% | Higher: Nîmes+16 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Aix-en-Provence+64% | €41,363 | €25,247 | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+64% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Aix-en-Provence+17 pts | 54% | 37% | More taxpaying households: Aix-en-Provence+17 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Aix-en-Provence+4.0 pts | 70.9% | 67.0% | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+4.0 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Nîmes+6.8 pts | 11.2% | 18.0% | Higher: Nîmes+6.8 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Sophie Joissains | Vincent Bouget | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Aix-en-Provence+2.5 pts | 96% | 93% | Better covered: Aix-en-Provence+2.5 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 | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Aix-en-Provence+8% | 90.91,390 in total | 84.01,293 in total | More shops per capita: Aix-en-Provence+8% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+10% | 26.5405 in total | 29.1448 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+10% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+28% | 60.1918 in total | 47.0724 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+28% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+7% | 17.1262 in total | 18.3282 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+7% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+34% | 2.132 in total | 1.624 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+34% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+27% | 2.944 in total | 2.335 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+27% |
| Passenger train stationsTie | 2 | 2 | Tie |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Aix-en-Provence+30% | 5.0 | 3.9 | Better access: Aix-en-Provence+30% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+39% | 14.4220 in total | 10.3159 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+39% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+49% | 39.9610 in total | 26.8412 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+49% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+21% | 11.4174 in total | 9.4145 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+21% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+5% | 3.351 in total | 3.554 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+5% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Aix-en-Provence+3 | 17 | 14 | More facilities: Aix-en-Provence+3 |
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 | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Nîmes+8 | 88 | 96 | More schools: Nîmes+8 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Nîmes+4 | 20 | 24 | More middle schools: Nîmes+4 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Aix-en-Provence+1 | 21 | 20 | More high schools: Aix-en-Provence+1 |
| 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 | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Nîmes+31% | 6.2 | 8.1 | Higher rate: Nîmes+31% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+4% | 14.6 | 14.0 | Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+4% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nîmes+15% | 4.3 | 4.9 | Higher rate: Nîmes+15% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+52% | 4.1 | 2.7 | Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+52% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+3% | 9.4 | 9.1 | Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+3% |
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 | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Nîmes+0.9 °C | 14.7°C | 15.6°C | Warmer: Nîmes+0.9 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Aix-en-Provence+7% | 2,873 | 2,680 | Sunnier: Aix-en-Provence+7% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Nîmes+21% | 609 | 734 | Wetter: Nîmes+21% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Nîmes+6 days/year | 59 | 65 | More rainy days: Nîmes+6 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Aix-en-Provence+23 days/year | 43 | 20 | More frost days: Aix-en-Provence+23 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Nîmes+4 days/year | 55 | 59 | More hot days: Nîmes+4 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 | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Nîmes+3 | 28 | 31 | More declarations: Nîmes+3 |
| 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 | Nîmes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Aix-en-Provence+15% | 186 | 162 | Larger: Aix-en-Provence+15% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Aix-en-Provence+153 m | 198 m | 44 m | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+153 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Bouches-du-Rhône (13) | Gard (30) | |
| Intercommunality | Métropole d'Aix-Marseille-Provence | Communauté d'agglomération de Nîmes Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Marseille-Aix-en-Provence | Nîmes | |
| Functional area | Marseille - Aix-en-Provence | Nîmes |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Aix-en-Provence vs Nîmes at a glance
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Nîmes |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 152,854 | 154,017 |
| Change over 10 years | +5.8% | +0.8% |
| Density per km² | 821 | 952 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,797 | 2,120 |
| Median house price €/m² | 6,137 | 2,852 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 19.1 | 14.6 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 36.02% | 54.00% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 29,010 | 20,830 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.2% | 18.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 93% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.0 | 3.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.2 | 8.1 |
| Average temperature | 14.7°C | 15.6°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,873 | 2,680 |
| Area km² | 186 | 162 |
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FAQ
Aix-en-Provence vs Nîmes: your questions
Which is the larger city, Aix-en-Provence or Nîmes?
By population, Nîmes: 154,017 inhabitants versus 152,854 for Aix-en-Provence (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Nîmes is the 21st 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 Nîmes?
Aix-en-Provence and Nîmes are 90 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Aix-en-Provence or Nîmes?
To buy an apartment, Aix-en-Provence is more expensive: €4,797 per m² (median price), versus €2,120 in Nîmes (+126%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Aix-en-Provence or Nîmes?
In Aix-en-Provence, half of the residents have a standard of living above €29,010 a year, versus €20,830 in Nîmes (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Aix-en-Provence or Nîmes?
Aix-en-Provence: 2,873 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 2,680 in Nîmes (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