2026 comparison
Arles vs Istres: 2026 comparison
Arles has more inhabitants than Istres: 52,515 versus 44,953, or 17% more. Arles covers a larger area (759 km² versus 114 km²), but Istres is more densely populated: 395 inhabitants per km² versus 69.
The median apartment price is higher in Istres: €2,826 per m² versus €2,477. The median standard of living is higher in Istres (€25,480 a year versus €22,740).
The two cities are 24 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
© Steffen Heilfort, CC BY-SA 3.0
Arles
City in Bouches-du-Rhône
FBouches-du-Rhône13Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Population
- 52,515 inhab.
- 127th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 759 km²
- Density
- 69 per km²
Istres
City in Bouches-du-Rhône
FBouches-du-Rhône13Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Population
- 44,953 inhab.
- 165th in France · 6th in its department
- Area
- 114 km²
- Density
- 395 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
ArlesIstres
| Criterion | Arles | Istres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Arles+17% | 52,515 | 44,953 | More populous: Arles+17% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Istres+0.5 pt | +1.5% | +2.0% | Stronger growth: Istres+0.5 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Istres+4.6 pts | −1.4% | +3.2% | Stronger growth: Istres+4.6 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Istres5.7 times as high | 69.2 | 395 | Denser: Istres5.7 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Istres+1.2 pt | 16.5% | 17.6% | More young people: Istres+1.2 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Arles+3.8 pts | 23.7% | 19.9% | More seniors: Arles+3.8 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Istres+0.06 | 2.09 | 2.15 | Larger households: Istres+0.06 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Arles | Istres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Istres+14% | 2,477 | 2,826 | More expensive: Istres+14% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Istres+12% | 2,957 | 3,316 | More expensive: Istres+12% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Istres+16% | 13.0 | 15.0 | More expensive: Istres+16% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Istres+16% | 11.8 | 13.7 | More expensive: Istres+16% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Arles+1.7 pt | 52.0% | 50.3% | More homeowners: Arles+1.7 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Arles+7.9 pts | 54.6% | 46.7% | More houses: Arles+7.9 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Istres+4.8 pts | 25.9% | 30.7% | More social housing: Istres+4.8 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Arles+5.5 pts | 7.3% | 1.9% | More second homes: Arles+5.5 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Arles+6.5 pts | 10.3% | 3.8% | More vacant homes: Arles+6.5 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Istres+11 pts | 46.05% | 56.76% | Higher rate: Istres+11 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 | Arles | Istres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Istres+12% | 22,740 | 25,480 | Higher: Istres+12% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Arles+8.2 pts | 24.5% | 16.3% | Higher: Arles+8.2 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Istres+13% | €26,059 | €29,563 | Higher: Istres+13% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Istres+9.8 pts | 39% | 49% | More taxpaying households: Istres+9.8 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Istres+8.3 pts | 68.6% | 76.9% | Higher: Istres+8.3 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Arles+1.0 pt | 11.7% | 10.7% | Higher: Arles+1.0 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Arles | Istres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Patrick de Carolis | Robin Prétot | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous centre | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Istres+3.4 pts | 95% | 98% | Better covered: Istres+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 | Arles | Istres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Arles+53% | 83.0436 in total | 54.3244 in total | More shops per capita: Arles+53% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arles+70% | 25.3133 in total | 14.967 in total | More per capita: Arles+70% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arles2.2 times as high | 59.2311 in total | 27.1122 in total | More per capita: Arles2.2 times as high |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arles+28% | 22.3117 in total | 17.478 in total | More per capita: Arles+28% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Istres+6% | 2.111 in total | 2.210 in total | More per capita: Istres+6% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arles5.3 times as high | 8.243 in total | 1.67 in total | More per capita: Arles5.3 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Istres+1 | 1 | 2 | More stations: Istres+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Arles | Istres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Arles+58% | 4.4 | 2.8 | Better access: Arles+58% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arles3.1 times as high | 20.0105 in total | 6.529 in total | More per capita: Arles3.1 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arles+8% | 15.883 in total | 14.766 in total | More per capita: Arles+8% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Istres+25% | 5.730 in total | 7.132 in total | More per capita: Istres+25% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arles+45% | 4.222 in total | 2.913 in total | More per capita: Arles+45% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Arles+4 | 5 | 1 | More facilities: Arles+4 |
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 | Arles | Istres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Arles+19 | 42 | 23 | More schools: Arles+19 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Arles+2 | 7 | 5 | More middle schools: Arles+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Arles+4 | 7 | 3 | More high schools: Arles+4 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Arles+11 | 12 | 1 | More facilities: Arles+11 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Arles | Istres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Istres+8% | 7.2 | 7.8 | Higher rate: Istres+8% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Arles2.5 times as high | 13.4 | 5.4 | Higher rate: Arles2.5 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Arles+21% | 5.0 | 4.1 | Higher rate: Arles+21% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Arles+9% | 2.3 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Arles+9% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Arles+15% | 10.3 | 9.0 | Higher rate: Arles+15% |
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 | Arles | Istres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Istres+0.4 °C | 15.2°C | 15.6°C | Warmer: Istres+0.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Istres+8% | 2,680 | 2,898 | Sunnier: Istres+8% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Istres+0.6% | 570 | 573 | Wetter: Istres+0.6% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmTie | 54 | 54 | Tie |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Arles+3 days/year | 19 | 17 | More frost days: Arles+3 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Istres+11 days/year | 38 | 49 | More hot days: Istres+11 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 | Arles | Istres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Arles+14 | 26 | 12 | More declarations: Arles+14 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Istres+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Istres+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Arles | Istres | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Arles6.7 times as high | 759 | 114 | Larger: Arles6.7 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Arles+4 m | 14 m | 10 m | Higher: Arles+4 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Bouches-du-Rhône (13) | Bouches-du-Rhône (13) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération d'Arles-Crau-Camargue-Montagnette | Métropole d'Aix-Marseille-Provence | |
| Urban unit | Arles | Marseille-Aix-en-Provence | |
| Functional area | Arles | Marseille - Aix-en-Provence |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Arles vs Istres at a glance
| Criterion | Arles | Istres |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 52,515 | 44,953 |
| Change over 10 years | −1.4% | +3.2% |
| Density per km² | 69.2 | 395 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,477 | 2,826 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,957 | 3,316 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.0 | 15.0 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 46.05% | 56.76% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,740 | 25,480 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.7% | 10.7% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.4 | 2.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 7.2 | 7.8 |
| Average temperature | 15.2°C | 15.6°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,680 | 2,898 |
| Area km² | 759 | 114 |
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FAQ
Arles vs Istres: your questions
Which is the larger city, Arles or Istres?
By population, Arles: 52,515 inhabitants versus 44,953 for Istres (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Arles is the 127th largest city in France, Istres the 165th. By area, Arles is also the larger (759 km²).
How far is Arles from Istres?
Arles and Istres are 24 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 Arles or Istres?
To buy an apartment, Istres is more expensive: €2,826 per m² (median price), versus €2,477 in Arles (+14%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Arles or Istres?
In Istres, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,480 a year, versus €22,740 in Arles (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Arles or Istres?
Istres: 2,898 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 2,680 in Arles (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