2026 comparison
Ajaccio vs Cannes: 2026 comparison
Ajaccio has more inhabitants than Cannes: 77,132 versus 75,105, or 2.7% more. Ajaccio covers a larger area (82.0 km² versus 19.6 km²), but Cannes is more densely populated: 3,828 inhabitants per km² versus 940.
The median apartment price is higher in Cannes: €5,460 per m² versus €3,667. The median standard of living is higher in Ajaccio (€25,880 a year versus €24,000).
The two cities are 227 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
© Jenny Andersson / News Oresund, CC BY 2.0
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Cannes
City in Alpes-Maritimes
FAlpes-Maritimes06Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Population
- 75,105 inhab.
- 71st in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 19.6 km²
- Density
- 3,828 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1936
AjaccioCannes
| Criterion | Ajaccio | Cannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Ajaccio+3% | 77,132 | 75,105 | More populous: Ajaccio+3% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Ajaccio+7.3 pts | +7.8% | +0.5% | Stronger growth: Ajaccio+7.3 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Ajaccio+12 pts | +13.1% | +1.4% | Stronger growth: Ajaccio+12 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Cannes4.1 times as high | 940 | 3,828 | Denser: Cannes4.1 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Ajaccio+5.1 pts | 18.4% | 13.3% | More young people: Ajaccio+5.1 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Cannes+6.6 pts | 23.9% | 30.5% | More seniors: Cannes+6.6 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Ajaccio+0.43 | 2.30 | 1.87 | Larger households: Ajaccio+0.43 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Ajaccio | Cannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Cannes+49% | 3,667 | 5,460 | More expensive: Cannes+49% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Cannes+54% | 4,382 | 6,750 | More expensive: Cannes+54% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Cannes+33% | 15.2 | 20.3 | More expensive: Cannes+33% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Cannes+39% | 16.0 | 22.3 | More expensive: Cannes+39% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Cannes+1.8 pt | 45.6% | 47.4% | More homeowners: Cannes+1.8 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Ajaccio+3.6 pts | 10.6% | 7.0% | More houses: Ajaccio+3.6 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Ajaccio+1.1 pt | 19.0% | 17.9% | More social housing: Ajaccio+1.1 pt |
| Second homesMore second homes: Cannes+35 pts | 9.0% | 44.2% | More second homes: Cannes+35 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Cannes+0.5 pt | 2.9% | 3.4% | More vacant homes: Cannes+0.5 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Ajaccio+9.8 pts | 37.91% | 28.07% | Higher rate: Ajaccio+9.8 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 | Ajaccio | Cannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Ajaccio+8% | 25,880 | 24,000 | Higher: Ajaccio+8% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Cannes+4.6 pts | 18.0% | 22.6% | Higher: Cannes+4.6 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Cannes+4% | €30,921 | €32,218 | Higher: Cannes+4% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Ajaccio+4.7 pts | 50% | 45% | More taxpaying households: Ajaccio+4.7 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Ajaccio+2.3 pts | 76.4% | 74.1% | Higher: Ajaccio+2.3 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Cannes+7.9 pts | 7.0% | 14.9% | Higher: Cannes+7.9 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Ajaccio | Cannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Stéphane Sbraggia | David Lisnard | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Ajaccio+4.4 pts | 99% | 94% | Better covered: Ajaccio+4.4 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Ajaccio | Cannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Cannes+72% | 84.8654 in total | 146.11,097 in total | More shops per capita: Cannes+72% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cannes+60% | 22.6174 in total | 36.1271 in total | More per capita: Cannes+60% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cannes+63% | 57.7445 in total | 94.1707 in total | More per capita: Cannes+63% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Ajaccio+11% | 11.992 in total | 10.881 in total | More per capita: Ajaccio+11% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cannes+3% | 3.023 in total | 3.123 in total | More per capita: Cannes+3% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cannes3.5 times as high | 3.628 in total | 12.896 in total | More per capita: Cannes3.5 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsTie | 4 | 4 | Tie |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Ajaccio | Cannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Cannes+22% | 4.0 | 4.9 | Better access: Cannes+22% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cannes+4% | 14.0108 in total | 14.5109 in total | More per capita: Cannes+4% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cannes+12% | 23.9184 in total | 26.8201 in total | More per capita: Cannes+12% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cannes+59% | 8.364 in total | 13.299 in total | More per capita: Cannes+59% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cannes+32% | 3.628 in total | 4.836 in total | More per capita: Cannes+32% |
| 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 | Cannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Cannes+3 | 28 | 31 | More schools: Cannes+3 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Cannes+2 | 7 | 9 | More middle schools: Cannes+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Cannes+6 | 7 | 13 | More high schools: Cannes+6 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Cannes+4 | 10 | 14 | More facilities: Cannes+4 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Ajaccio | Cannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Cannes5.5 times as high | 1.0 | 5.8 | Higher rate: Cannes5.5 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Cannes5.9 times as high | 4.9 | 28.6 | Higher rate: Cannes5.9 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Cannes2.9 times as high | 2.3 | 6.5 | Higher rate: Cannes2.9 times as high |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Cannes2.1 times as high | 2.0 | 4.3 | Higher rate: Cannes2.1 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Cannes+84% | 8.5 | 15.7 | Higher rate: Cannes+84% |
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 | Cannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Ajaccio+1.1 °C | 16.6°C | 15.5°C | Warmer: Ajaccio+1.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Ajaccio+2% | 2,802 | 2,743 | Sunnier: Ajaccio+2% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Cannes+9% | 807 | 881 | Wetter: Cannes+9% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Ajaccio+13 days/year | 77 | 64 | More rainy days: Ajaccio+13 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Cannes+6 days/year | 6 | 12 | More frost days: Cannes+6 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Ajaccio+53 days/year | 70 | 18 | More hot days: Ajaccio+53 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 | Cannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Cannes+38 | 14 | 52 | More declarations: Cannes+38 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Ajaccio+1 | 3 | 2 | More plans: Ajaccio+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Significant | Significant | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Ajaccio | Cannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Ajaccio4.2 times as high | 82.0 | 19.6 | Larger: Ajaccio4.2 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Ajaccio+1 m | 4 m | 3 m | Higher: Ajaccio+1 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Large urban centre | |
| Department | Corse-du-Sud (2A) | Alpes-Maritimes (06) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération du Pays Ajaccien | Communauté d'agglomération Cannes Pays de Lérins | |
| Urban unit | Ajaccio | Nice | |
| Functional area | Ajaccio | Cannes - Antibes |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Ajaccio vs Cannes at a glance
| Criterion | Ajaccio | Cannes |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 77,132 | 75,105 |
| Change over 10 years | +13.1% | +1.4% |
| Density per km² | 940 | 3,828 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,667 | 5,460 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,382 | 6,750 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 15.2 | 20.3 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 37.91% | 28.07% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,880 | 24,000 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 7.0% | 14.9% |
| Premises with fiber | 99% | 94% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.0 | 4.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 1.0 | 5.8 |
| Average temperature | 16.6°C | 15.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,802 | 2,743 |
| Area km² | 82.0 | 19.6 |
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FAQ
Ajaccio vs Cannes: your questions
Which is the larger city, Ajaccio or Cannes?
By population, Ajaccio: 77,132 inhabitants versus 75,105 for Cannes (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Ajaccio is the 68th largest city in France, Cannes the 71st. By area, Ajaccio is also the larger (82.0 km²).
How far is Ajaccio from Cannes?
Ajaccio and Cannes are 227 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Ajaccio or Cannes?
To buy an apartment, Cannes is more expensive: €5,460 per m² (median price), versus €3,667 in Ajaccio (+49%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Ajaccio or Cannes?
In Ajaccio, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,880 a year, versus €24,000 in Cannes (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Ajaccio or Cannes?
Ajaccio: 2,802 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 2,743 in Cannes (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