2026 comparison
Amiens vs Lens: 2026 comparison
Amiens has more inhabitants than Lens: 139,183 versus 33,122, or 4.2 times as many. Amiens covers a larger area (49.5 km² versus 11.7 km²), but Lens is more densely populated: 2,831 inhabitants per km² versus 2,814.
The median apartment price is higher in Amiens: €2,656 per m² versus €1,678. The median standard of living is higher in Amiens (€21,400 a year versus €18,660).
The two cities are 71 km apart as the crow flies.
Amiens
City in Somme
- Population
- 139,183 inhab.
- 28th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 49.5 km²
- Density
- 2,814 per km²
Lens
City in Pas-de-Calais
FPas-de-Calais62Hauts-de-France
- Population
- 33,122 inhab.
- 254th in France · 4th in its department
- Area
- 11.7 km²
- Density
- 2,831 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
AmiensLens
| Criterion | Amiens | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Amiens4.2 times as high | 139,183 | 33,122 | More populous: Amiens4.2 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Lens+2.2 pts | +1.9% | +4.2% | Stronger growth: Lens+2.2 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Lens+1.2 pt | +2.8% | +4.0% | Stronger growth: Lens+1.2 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Lens+0.6% | 2,814 | 2,831 | Denser: Lens+0.6% |
| Under 15More young people: Lens+1.4 pt | 16.2% | 17.5% | More young people: Lens+1.4 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Lens+4.3 pts | 16.2% | 20.6% | More seniors: Lens+4.3 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Lens+0.15 | 1.91 | 2.06 | Larger households: Lens+0.15 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Amiens | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Amiens+58% | 2,656 | 1,678 | More expensive: Amiens+58% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Amiens+62% | 2,322 | 1,433 | More expensive: Amiens+62% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Amiens+12% | 13.4 | 11.9 | More expensive: Amiens+12% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Amiens+35% | 12.5 | 9.2 | More expensive: Amiens+35% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Amiens+3.8 pts | 30.8% | 27.0% | More homeowners: Amiens+3.8 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Lens+25 pts | 33.7% | 59.0% | More houses: Lens+25 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Lens+24 pts | 37.5% | 61.1% | More social housing: Lens+24 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Amiens+1.7 pt | 2.8% | 1.1% | More second homes: Amiens+1.7 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Lens+1.3 pt | 9.3% | 10.6% | More vacant homes: Lens+1.3 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Lens+8.6 pts | 56.00% | 64.57% | Higher rate: Lens+8.6 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 | Amiens | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Amiens+15% | 21,400 | 18,660 | Higher: Amiens+15% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Lens+6.1 pts | 29.3% | 35.4% | Higher: Lens+6.1 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Amiens+34% | €24,991 | €18,717 | Higher: Amiens+34% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Amiens+10 pts | 39% | 29% | More taxpaying households: Amiens+10 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Amiens+0.5 pt | 67.1% | 66.5% | Higher: Amiens+0.5 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Lens+4.3 pts | 18.8% | 23.0% | Higher: Lens+4.3 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Amiens | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Frédéric Fauvet | Sylvain Robert | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | union of the left | union of the left | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Amiens+2.4 pts | 98% | 95% | Better covered: Amiens+2.4 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Amiens | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Lens+14% | 54.3756 in total | 61.9205 in total | More shops per capita: Lens+14% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lens+29% | 16.7232 in total | 21.471 in total | More per capita: Lens+29% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lens+45% | 32.2448 in total | 46.8155 in total | More per capita: Lens+45% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lens+29% | 19.7274 in total | 25.484 in total | More per capita: Lens+29% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Amiens+43% | 2.230 in total | 1.55 in total | More per capita: Amiens+43% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lens+40% | 1.521 in total | 2.17 in total | More per capita: Lens+40% |
| 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 | Amiens | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Amiens+4% | 5.9 | 5.7 | Better access: Amiens+4% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Amiens+82% | 12.6176 in total | 6.923 in total | More per capita: Amiens+82% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lens+36% | 26.8373 in total | 36.5121 in total | More per capita: Lens+36% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lens+68% | 5.070 in total | 8.528 in total | More per capita: Lens+68% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 3.346 in total | 3.311 in total | Tie |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Amiens+13 | 18 | 5 | More facilities: Amiens+13 |
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 | Amiens | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Amiens+66 | 86 | 20 | More schools: Amiens+66 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Amiens+15 | 21 | 6 | More middle schools: Amiens+15 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Amiens+20 | 27 | 7 | More high schools: Amiens+20 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Amiens+30 | 37 | 7 | More facilities: Amiens+30 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Amiens | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Lens3.8 times as high | 2.1 | 8.1 | Higher rate: Lens3.8 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Amiens+53% | 16.5 | 10.8 | Higher rate: Amiens+53% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lens+70% | 5.3 | 9.0 | Higher rate: Lens+70% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Amiens+2% | 1.7 | 1.6 | Higher rate: Amiens+2% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lens+6% | 15.0 | 15.8 | Higher rate: Lens+6% |
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 | Amiens | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Amiens+0.1 °C | 11.1°C | 11.0°C | Warmer: Amiens+0.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Amiens+8% | 1,761 | 1,627 | Sunnier: Amiens+8% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Lens+13% | 647 | 729 | Wetter: Lens+13% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Lens+11 days/year | 115 | 126 | More rainy days: Lens+11 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Lens+3 days/year | 45 | 48 | More frost days: Lens+3 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreTie | 8 | 8 | Tie |
Climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each commune. Source: Météo-France, climate normals
Natural hazards
Natural disasters and prevention
| Criterion | Amiens | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Amiens+5 | 14 | 9 | More declarations: Amiens+5 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Amiens+1 | 1 | 0 | More plans: Amiens+1 |
| Radon potential | Low | Low, with aggravating factors |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Amiens | Lens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Amiens4.2 times as high | 49.5 | 11.7 | Larger: Amiens4.2 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Lens+5 m | 33 m | 37 m | Higher: Lens+5 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Somme (80) | Pas-de-Calais (62) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Amiens Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération de Lens - Liévin | |
| Urban unit | Amiens | Douai-Lens | |
| Functional area | Amiens | Lens - Liévin |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Amiens vs Lens at a glance
| Criterion | Amiens | Lens |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 139,183 | 33,122 |
| Change over 10 years | +2.8% | +4.0% |
| Density per km² | 2,814 | 2,831 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,656 | 1,678 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,322 | 1,433 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.4 | 11.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 56.00% | 64.57% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 21,400 | 18,660 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 18.8% | 23.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.9 | 5.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 2.1 | 8.1 |
| Average temperature | 11.1°C | 11.0°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,761 | 1,627 |
| Area km² | 49.5 | 11.7 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Amiens vs Lens: your questions
Which is the larger city, Amiens or Lens?
By population, Amiens: 139,183 inhabitants versus 33,122 for Lens (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Amiens is the 28th largest city in France, Lens the 254th. By area, Amiens is also the larger (49.5 km²).
How far is Amiens from Lens?
Amiens and Lens are 71 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Amiens or Lens?
To buy an apartment, Amiens is more expensive: €2,656 per m² (median price), versus €1,678 in Lens (+58%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Amiens or Lens?
In Amiens, half of the residents have a standard of living above €21,400 a year, versus €18,660 in Lens (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Amiens or Lens?
Amiens: 1,761 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,627 in Lens (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