2026 comparison
Aix-en-Provence vs Salon-de-Provence: 2026 comparison
Aix-en-Provence has more inhabitants than Salon-de-Provence: 152,854 versus 44,736, or 3.4 times as many. Aix-en-Provence is both larger (186 km² versus 70.3 km²) and more densely populated (821 inhabitants per km² versus 636).
The median apartment price is higher in Aix-en-Provence: €4,797 per m² versus €2,765. The median standard of living is higher in Aix-en-Provence (€29,010 a year versus €25,100).
The two cities are 30 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
Salon-de-Provence
City in Bouches-du-Rhône
FBouches-du-Rhône13Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Population
- 44,736 inhab.
- 167th in France · 7th in its department
- Area
- 70.3 km²
- Density
- 636 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Aix-en-ProvenceSalon-de-Provence
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Aix-en-Provence3.4 times as high | 152,854 | 44,736 | More populous: Aix-en-Provence3.4 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+7.3 pts | +4.6% | −2.7% | Stronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+7.3 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+5.9 pts | +5.8% | −0.2% | Stronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+5.9 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Aix-en-Provence+29% | 821 | 636 | Denser: Aix-en-Provence+29% |
| Under 15More young people: Salon-de-Provence+4.2 pts | 12.8% | 16.9% | More young people: Salon-de-Provence+4.2 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Salon-de-Provence+0.4 pt | 20.0% | 20.5% | More seniors: Salon-de-Provence+0.4 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Salon-de-Provence+0.24 | 1.84 | 2.08 | Larger households: Salon-de-Provence+0.24 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+73% | 4,797 | 2,765 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+73% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+60% | 6,137 | 3,829 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+60% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Aix-en-Provence+32% | 19.1 | 14.4 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+32% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Aix-en-Provence+35% | 19.7 | 14.6 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+35% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Salon-de-Provence+9.4 pts | 39.1% | 48.5% | More homeowners: Salon-de-Provence+9.4 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Salon-de-Provence+15 pts | 19.5% | 34.8% | More houses: Salon-de-Provence+15 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Salon-de-Provence+2.3 pts | 22.0% | 24.3% | More social housing: Salon-de-Provence+2.3 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Aix-en-Provence+6.2 pts | 7.2% | 1.0% | More second homes: Aix-en-Provence+6.2 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Salon-de-Provence+3.1 pts | 8.0% | 11.1% | More vacant homes: Salon-de-Provence+3.1 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Salon-de-Provence+13 pts | 36.02% | 48.87% | Higher rate: Salon-de-Provence+13 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 | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Aix-en-Provence+16% | 29,010 | 25,100 | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+16% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Salon-de-Provence+2.5 pts | 16.4% | 18.9% | Higher: Salon-de-Provence+2.5 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Aix-en-Provence+39% | €41,363 | €29,702 | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+39% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Aix-en-Provence+8.0 pts | 54% | 46% | More taxpaying households: Aix-en-Provence+8.0 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Salon-de-Provence+5.1 pts | 70.9% | 76.0% | Higher: Salon-de-Provence+5.1 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Salon-de-Provence+1.2 pt | 11.2% | 12.3% | Higher: Salon-de-Provence+1.2 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Sophie Joissains | Nicolas Isnard | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | Les Républicains | |
| 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 | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Aix-en-Provence+6% | 90.91,390 in total | 85.6383 in total | More shops per capita: Aix-en-Provence+6% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+15% | 26.5405 in total | 23.0103 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+15% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+24% | 60.1918 in total | 48.5217 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+24% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+13% | 17.1262 in total | 15.268 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+13% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+17% | 2.132 in total | 1.88 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+17% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Salon-de-Provence+32% | 2.944 in total | 3.817 in total | More per capita: Salon-de-Provence+32% |
| 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 | Salon-de-Provence | 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+65% | 14.4220 in total | 8.739 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+65% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+94% | 39.9610 in total | 20.692 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+94% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+8% | 11.4174 in total | 10.547 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+8% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+7% | 3.351 in total | 3.114 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+7% |
| 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 | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Aix-en-Provence+59 | 88 | 29 | More schools: Aix-en-Provence+59 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Aix-en-Provence+14 | 20 | 6 | More middle schools: Aix-en-Provence+14 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Aix-en-Provence+13 | 21 | 8 | More high schools: Aix-en-Provence+13 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Aix-en-Provence+50 | 56 | 6 | More facilities: Aix-en-Provence+50 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Salon-de-Provence+0.7% | 6.2 | 6.3 | Higher rate: Salon-de-Provence+0.7% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+31% | 14.6 | 11.1 | Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+31% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Salon-de-Provence+10% | 4.3 | 4.7 | Higher rate: Salon-de-Provence+10% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence2.0 times as high | 4.1 | 2.0 | Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence2.0 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Salon-de-Provence+8% | 9.4 | 10.2 | Higher rate: Salon-de-Provence+8% |
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 | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureTie | 14.7°C | 14.7°C | Tie |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Salon-de-Provence+0.8% | 2,873 | 2,898 | Sunnier: Salon-de-Provence+0.8% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Aix-en-Provence+2% | 609 | 594 | Wetter: Aix-en-Provence+2% |
| 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+5 days/year | 43 | 38 | More frost days: Aix-en-Provence+5 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Aix-en-Provence+5 days/year | 55 | 50 | More hot days: Aix-en-Provence+5 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 | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Aix-en-Provence+19 | 28 | 9 | More declarations: Aix-en-Provence+19 |
| 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 | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Aix-en-Provence2.6 times as high | 186 | 70.3 | Larger: Aix-en-Provence2.6 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Aix-en-Provence+119 m | 198 m | 79 m | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+119 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Bouches-du-Rhône (13) | Bouches-du-Rhône (13) | Same |
| IntercommunalitySame | Métropole d'Aix-Marseille-Provence | Métropole d'Aix-Marseille-Provence | Same |
| Urban unit | Marseille-Aix-en-Provence | Salon-de-Provence | |
| Functional area | Marseille - Aix-en-Provence | Salon-de-Provence |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Aix-en-Provence vs Salon-de-Provence at a glance
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Salon-de-Provence |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 152,854 | 44,736 |
| Change over 10 years | +5.8% | −0.2% |
| Density per km² | 821 | 636 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,797 | 2,765 |
| Median house price €/m² | 6,137 | 3,829 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 19.1 | 14.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 36.02% | 48.87% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 29,010 | 25,100 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.2% | 12.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.0 | 3.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.2 | 6.3 |
| Average temperature | 14.7°C | 14.7°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,873 | 2,898 |
| Area km² | 186 | 70.3 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Aix-en-Provence vs Salon-de-Provence: your questions
Which is the larger city, Aix-en-Provence or Salon-de-Provence?
By population, Aix-en-Provence: 152,854 inhabitants versus 44,736 for Salon-de-Provence (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Aix-en-Provence is the 22nd largest city in France, Salon-de-Provence the 167th. By area, Aix-en-Provence is also the larger (186 km²).
How far is Aix-en-Provence from Salon-de-Provence?
Aix-en-Provence and Salon-de-Provence are 30 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 Salon-de-Provence?
To buy an apartment, Aix-en-Provence is more expensive: €4,797 per m² (median price), versus €2,765 in Salon-de-Provence (+73%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Aix-en-Provence or Salon-de-Provence?
In Aix-en-Provence, half of the residents have a standard of living above €29,010 a year, versus €25,100 in Salon-de-Provence (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Aix-en-Provence or Salon-de-Provence?
Salon-de-Provence: 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