2026 comparison
Aix-en-Provence vs Vitrolles (13): 2026 comparison
Aix-en-Provence has more inhabitants than Vitrolles: 152,854 versus 37,134, or 4.1 times as many. Aix-en-Provence covers a larger area (186 km² versus 36.6 km²), but Vitrolles is more densely populated: 1,015 inhabitants per km² versus 821.
The median apartment price is higher in Aix-en-Provence: €4,797 per m² versus €2,920. The median standard of living is higher in Aix-en-Provence (€29,010 a year versus €24,670).
The two cities are 14 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
Vitrolles
City in Bouches-du-Rhône
FBouches-du-Rhône13Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Population
- 37,134 inhab.
- 221st in France · 9th in its department
- Area
- 36.6 km²
- Density
- 1,015 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Aix-en-ProvenceVitrolles
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Vitrolles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Aix-en-Provence4.1 times as high | 152,854 | 37,134 | More populous: Aix-en-Provence4.1 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Vitrolles+6.4 pts | +4.6% | +11.0% | Stronger growth: Vitrolles+6.4 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Vitrolles+0.8 pt | +5.8% | +6.6% | Stronger growth: Vitrolles+0.8 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Vitrolles+24% | 821 | 1,015 | Denser: Vitrolles+24% |
| Under 15More young people: Vitrolles+7.4 pts | 12.8% | 20.2% | More young people: Vitrolles+7.4 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Aix-en-Provence+1.7 pt | 20.0% | 18.4% | More seniors: Aix-en-Provence+1.7 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Vitrolles+0.53 | 1.84 | 2.37 | Larger households: Vitrolles+0.53 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Vitrolles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+64% | 4,797 | 2,920 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+64% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+58% | 6,137 | 3,884 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+58% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Aix-en-Provence+13% | 19.1 | 17.0 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+13% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Aix-en-Provence+32% | 19.7 | 14.9 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+32% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Vitrolles+18 pts | 39.1% | 57.2% | More homeowners: Vitrolles+18 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Vitrolles+21 pts | 19.5% | 40.5% | More houses: Vitrolles+21 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Vitrolles+9.5 pts | 22.0% | 31.5% | More social housing: Vitrolles+9.5 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Aix-en-Provence+5.9 pts | 7.2% | 1.3% | More second homes: Aix-en-Provence+5.9 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Aix-en-Provence+3.2 pts | 8.0% | 4.9% | More vacant homes: Aix-en-Provence+3.2 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Vitrolles+20 pts | 36.02% | 56.05% | Higher rate: Vitrolles+20 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 | Vitrolles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Aix-en-Provence+18% | 29,010 | 24,670 | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+18% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Vitrolles+3.2 pts | 16.4% | 19.6% | Higher: Vitrolles+3.2 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Aix-en-Provence+47% | €41,363 | €28,209 | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+47% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Aix-en-Provence+8.7 pts | 54% | 45% | More taxpaying households: Aix-en-Provence+8.7 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Vitrolles+3.1 pts | 70.9% | 74.0% | Higher: Vitrolles+3.1 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Vitrolles+2.0 pt | 11.2% | 13.2% | Higher: Vitrolles+2.0 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Vitrolles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Sophie Joissains | Loïc Gachon | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Vitrolles+3.4 pts | 96% | 99% | Better covered: Vitrolles+3.4 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 | Vitrolles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Aix-en-Provence+33% | 90.91,390 in total | 68.4254 in total | More shops per capita: Aix-en-Provence+33% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+33% | 26.5405 in total | 19.974 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+33% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+41% | 60.1918 in total | 42.5158 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+41% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vitrolles+7% | 17.1262 in total | 18.368 in total | More per capita: Vitrolles+7% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+55% | 2.132 in total | 1.35 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+55% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vitrolles+12% | 2.944 in total | 3.212 in total | More per capita: Vitrolles+12% |
| 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 | Vitrolles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Aix-en-Provence+53% | 5.0 | 3.3 | Better access: Aix-en-Provence+53% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+27% | 14.4220 in total | 11.342 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+27% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+88% | 39.9610 in total | 21.379 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+88% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+24% | 11.4174 in total | 9.234 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+24% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vitrolles+5% | 3.351 in total | 3.513 in total | More per capita: Vitrolles+5% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Aix-en-Provence+14 | 17 | 3 | More facilities: Aix-en-Provence+14 |
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 | Vitrolles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Aix-en-Provence+60 | 88 | 28 | More schools: Aix-en-Provence+60 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Aix-en-Provence+14 | 20 | 6 | More middle schools: Aix-en-Provence+14 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Aix-en-Provence+16 | 21 | 5 | More high schools: Aix-en-Provence+16 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Aix-en-Provence+55 | 56 | 1 | More facilities: Aix-en-Provence+55 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Vitrolles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Aix-en-Provence+62% | 6.2 | 3.8 | Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+62% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+97% | 14.6 | 7.4 | Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+97% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+40% | 4.3 | 3.0 | Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+40% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Vitrolles+39% | 4.1 | 5.7 | Higher rate: Vitrolles+39% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Vitrolles+32% | 9.4 | 12.4 | Higher rate: Vitrolles+32% |
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 | Vitrolles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Vitrolles+1.2 °C | 14.7°C | 15.9°C | Warmer: Vitrolles+1.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Vitrolles+0.8% | 2,873 | 2,898 | Sunnier: Vitrolles+0.8% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Aix-en-Provence+14% | 609 | 532 | Wetter: Aix-en-Provence+14% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Aix-en-Provence+5 days/year | 59 | 54 | More rainy days: Aix-en-Provence+5 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: Aix-en-Provence+5 days/year | 55 | 51 | 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 | Vitrolles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Aix-en-Provence+9 | 28 | 19 | More declarations: Aix-en-Provence+9 |
| 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 | Vitrolles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Aix-en-Provence5.1 times as high | 186 | 36.6 | Larger: Aix-en-Provence5.1 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Aix-en-Provence+114 m | 198 m | 84 m | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+114 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| 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 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 Vitrolles (13) at a glance
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Vitrolles |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 152,854 | 37,134 |
| Change over 10 years | +5.8% | +6.6% |
| Density per km² | 821 | 1,015 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,797 | 2,920 |
| Median house price €/m² | 6,137 | 3,884 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 19.1 | 17.0 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 36.02% | 56.05% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 29,010 | 24,670 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.2% | 13.2% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 99% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.0 | 3.3 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.2 | 3.8 |
| Average temperature | 14.7°C | 15.9°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,873 | 2,898 |
| Area km² | 186 | 36.6 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Aix-en-Provence vs Vitrolles (13): your questions
Which is the larger city, Aix-en-Provence or Vitrolles?
By population, Aix-en-Provence: 152,854 inhabitants versus 37,134 for Vitrolles (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Aix-en-Provence is the 22nd largest city in France, Vitrolles the 221st. By area, Aix-en-Provence is also the larger (186 km²).
How far is Aix-en-Provence from Vitrolles?
Aix-en-Provence and Vitrolles are 14 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 Vitrolles?
To buy an apartment, Aix-en-Provence is more expensive: €4,797 per m² (median price), versus €2,920 in Vitrolles (+64%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Aix-en-Provence or Vitrolles?
In Aix-en-Provence, half of the residents have a standard of living above €29,010 a year, versus €24,670 in Vitrolles (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Aix-en-Provence or Vitrolles?
Vitrolles: 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