2026 comparison
Ajaccio vs Bastia: 2026 comparison
Ajaccio has more inhabitants than Bastia: 77,132 versus 47,374, or 63% more. Ajaccio covers a larger area (82.0 km² versus 19.4 km²), but Bastia is more densely populated: 2,444 inhabitants per km² versus 940.
The median apartment price is higher in Ajaccio: €3,667 per m² versus €2,852. The median standard of living is higher in Ajaccio (€25,880 a year versus €22,880).
The two cities are 103 km apart as the crow flies.
Ajaccio
City in Corse-du-Sud
- Population
- 77,132 inhab.
- 68th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 82.0 km²
- Density
- 940 per km²
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Bastia
City in Haute-Corse
- Population
- 47,374 inhab.
- 147th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 19.4 km²
- Density
- 2,444 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1936
AjaccioBastia
| Criterion | Ajaccio | Bastia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Ajaccio+63% | 77,132 | 47,374 | More populous: Ajaccio+63% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Ajaccio+10 pts | +7.8% | −2.4% | Stronger growth: Ajaccio+10 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Ajaccio+2.1 pts | +13.1% | +10.9% | Stronger growth: Ajaccio+2.1 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Bastia2.6 times as high | 940 | 2,444 | Denser: Bastia2.6 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Ajaccio+3.2 pts | 18.4% | 15.2% | More young people: Ajaccio+3.2 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Bastia+0.5 pt | 23.9% | 24.4% | More seniors: Bastia+0.5 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Ajaccio+0.10 | 2.30 | 2.20 | Larger households: Ajaccio+0.10 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Ajaccio | Bastia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Ajaccio+29% | 3,667 | 2,852 | More expensive: Ajaccio+29% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Ajaccio+8% | 4,382 | 4,066 | More expensive: Ajaccio+8% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Ajaccio+12% | 15.2 | 13.6 | More expensive: Ajaccio+12% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Ajaccio+28% | 16.0 | 12.5 | More expensive: Ajaccio+28% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Ajaccio+5.4 pts | 45.6% | 40.2% | More homeowners: Ajaccio+5.4 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Ajaccio+1.9 pt | 10.6% | 8.6% | More houses: Ajaccio+1.9 pt |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Bastia+13 pts | 19.0% | 31.6% | More social housing: Bastia+13 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Ajaccio+7.9 pts | 9.0% | 1.2% | More second homes: Ajaccio+7.9 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Ajaccio+1.6 pt | 2.9% | 1.3% | More vacant homes: Ajaccio+1.6 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Bastia+1.6 pt | 37.91% | 39.50% | Higher rate: Bastia+1.6 pt |
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 | Ajaccio | Bastia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Ajaccio+13% | 25,880 | 22,880 | Higher: Ajaccio+13% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Bastia+7.9 pts | 18.0% | 25.9% | Higher: Bastia+7.9 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Ajaccio+13% | €30,921 | €27,283 | Higher: Ajaccio+13% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Ajaccio+8.1 pts | 50% | 42% | More taxpaying households: Ajaccio+8.1 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Ajaccio+8.6 pts | 76.4% | 67.7% | Higher: Ajaccio+8.6 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Bastia+4.5 pts | 7.0% | 11.5% | Higher: Bastia+4.5 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Ajaccio | Bastia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Stéphane Sbraggia | Gilles Simeoni | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | regionalist | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Ajaccio+6.0 pts | 99% | 93% | Better covered: Ajaccio+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 | Ajaccio | Bastia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Bastia+8% | 84.8654 in total | 91.6434 in total | More shops per capita: Bastia+8% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bastia+6% | 22.6174 in total | 23.9113 in total | More per capita: Bastia+6% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Ajaccio+6% | 57.7445 in total | 54.5258 in total | More per capita: Ajaccio+6% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Ajaccio+49% | 11.992 in total | 8.038 in total | More per capita: Ajaccio+49% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Ajaccio+28% | 3.023 in total | 2.311 in total | More per capita: Ajaccio+28% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bastia+5% | 3.628 in total | 3.818 in total | More per capita: Bastia+5% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Bastia+1 | 4 | 5 | More stations: Bastia+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Ajaccio | Bastia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Bastia+4% | 4.0 | 4.1 | Better access: Bastia+4% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Ajaccio+47% | 14.0108 in total | 9.545 in total | More per capita: Ajaccio+47% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Ajaccio+2% | 23.9184 in total | 23.4111 in total | More per capita: Ajaccio+2% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Ajaccio+9% | 8.364 in total | 7.636 in total | More per capita: Ajaccio+9% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bastia+34% | 3.628 in total | 4.923 in total | More per capita: Bastia+34% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Ajaccio+6 | 13 | 7 | More facilities: Ajaccio+6 |
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 | Ajaccio | Bastia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Ajaccio+6 | 28 | 22 | More schools: Ajaccio+6 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Bastia+1 | 7 | 8 | More middle schools: Bastia+1 |
| High schoolsTie | 7 | 7 | Tie |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Ajaccio+5 | 10 | 5 | More facilities: Ajaccio+5 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Ajaccio | Bastia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Bastia+16% | 1.0 | 1.2 | Higher rate: Bastia+16% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Bastia+12% | 4.9 | 5.5 | Higher rate: Bastia+12% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Bastia+24% | 2.3 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Bastia+24% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Bastia+11% | 2.0 | 2.2 | Higher rate: Bastia+11% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Bastia+3% | 8.5 | 8.8 | Higher rate: Bastia+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 | Ajaccio | Bastia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Bastia+0.5 °C | 16.6°C | 17.1°C | Warmer: Bastia+0.5 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Ajaccio+6% | 2,802 | 2,645 | Sunnier: Ajaccio+6% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Ajaccio+5% | 807 | 772 | Wetter: Ajaccio+5% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Ajaccio+5 days/year | 77 | 71 | More rainy days: Ajaccio+5 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Ajaccio+6 days/year | 6 | 1 | More frost days: Ajaccio+6 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Ajaccio+55 days/year | 70 | 15 | More hot days: Ajaccio+55 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 | Ajaccio | Bastia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Bastia+11 | 14 | 25 | More declarations: Bastia+11 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 3 | 3 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Significant | Significant | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Ajaccio | Bastia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Ajaccio4.2 times as high | 82.0 | 19.4 | Larger: Ajaccio4.2 times as high |
| Town hall elevationTie | 4 m | 4 m | Tie |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| Department | Corse-du-Sud (2A) | Haute-Corse (2B) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération du Pays Ajaccien | Communauté d'agglomération de Bastia | |
| Urban unit | Ajaccio | Bastia | |
| Functional area | Ajaccio | Bastia |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Ajaccio vs Bastia at a glance
| Criterion | Ajaccio | Bastia |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 77,132 | 47,374 |
| Change over 10 years | +13.1% | +10.9% |
| Density per km² | 940 | 2,444 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,667 | 2,852 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,382 | 4,066 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 15.2 | 13.6 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 37.91% | 39.50% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,880 | 22,880 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 7.0% | 11.5% |
| Premises with fiber | 99% | 93% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.0 | 4.1 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 1.0 | 1.2 |
| Average temperature | 16.6°C | 17.1°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,802 | 2,645 |
| Area km² | 82.0 | 19.4 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Ajaccio vs Bastia: your questions
Which is the larger city, Ajaccio or Bastia?
By population, Ajaccio: 77,132 inhabitants versus 47,374 for Bastia (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Ajaccio is the 68th largest city in France, Bastia the 147th. By area, Ajaccio is also the larger (82.0 km²).
How far is Ajaccio from Bastia?
Ajaccio and Bastia are 103 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Ajaccio or Bastia?
To buy an apartment, Ajaccio is more expensive: €3,667 per m² (median price), versus €2,852 in Bastia (+29%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Ajaccio or Bastia?
In Ajaccio, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,880 a year, versus €22,880 in Bastia (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Ajaccio or Bastia?
Ajaccio: 2,802 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 2,645 in Bastia (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