2026 comparison
Arles vs Salon-de-Provence: 2026 comparison
Arles has more inhabitants than Salon-de-Provence: 52,515 versus 44,736, or 17% more. Arles covers a larger area (759 km² versus 70.3 km²), but Salon-de-Provence is more densely populated: 636 inhabitants per km² versus 69.
The median apartment price is higher in Salon-de-Provence: €2,765 per m² versus €2,477. The median standard of living is higher in Salon-de-Provence (€25,100 a year versus €22,740).
The two cities are 34 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
Salon-de-Provence
City in Bouches-du-Rhône
FBouches-du-Rhône13Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Population
- 44,736 inhab.
- 167th in France · 7th in its department
- Area
- 70.3 km²
- Density
- 636 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
ArlesSalon-de-Provence
| Criterion | Arles | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Arles+17% | 52,515 | 44,736 | More populous: Arles+17% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Arles+4.2 pts | +1.5% | −2.7% | Stronger growth: Arles+4.2 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsSmaller decline: Salon-de-Provence+1.3 pt | −1.4% | −0.2% | Smaller decline: Salon-de-Provence+1.3 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Salon-de-Provence9.2 times as high | 69.2 | 636 | Denser: Salon-de-Provence9.2 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Salon-de-Provence+0.5 pt | 16.5% | 16.9% | More young people: Salon-de-Provence+0.5 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Arles+3.3 pts | 23.7% | 20.5% | More seniors: Arles+3.3 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Arles+0.01 | 2.09 | 2.08 | Larger households: Arles+0.01 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Arles | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Salon-de-Provence+12% | 2,477 | 2,765 | More expensive: Salon-de-Provence+12% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Salon-de-Provence+29% | 2,957 | 3,829 | More expensive: Salon-de-Provence+29% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Salon-de-Provence+11% | 13.0 | 14.4 | More expensive: Salon-de-Provence+11% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Salon-de-Provence+24% | 11.8 | 14.6 | More expensive: Salon-de-Provence+24% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Arles+3.5 pts | 52.0% | 48.5% | More homeowners: Arles+3.5 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Arles+20 pts | 54.6% | 34.8% | More houses: Arles+20 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Arles+1.6 pt | 25.9% | 24.3% | More social housing: Arles+1.6 pt |
| Second homesMore second homes: Arles+6.4 pts | 7.3% | 1.0% | More second homes: Arles+6.4 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Salon-de-Provence+0.8 pt | 10.3% | 11.1% | More vacant homes: Salon-de-Provence+0.8 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Salon-de-Provence+2.8 pts | 46.05% | 48.87% | Higher rate: Salon-de-Provence+2.8 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 | Arles | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Salon-de-Provence+10% | 22,740 | 25,100 | Higher: Salon-de-Provence+10% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Arles+5.6 pts | 24.5% | 18.9% | Higher: Arles+5.6 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Salon-de-Provence+14% | €26,059 | €29,702 | Higher: Salon-de-Provence+14% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Salon-de-Provence+7.0 pts | 39% | 46% | More taxpaying households: Salon-de-Provence+7.0 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Salon-de-Provence+7.4 pts | 68.6% | 76.0% | Higher: Salon-de-Provence+7.4 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Salon-de-Provence+0.7 pt | 11.7% | 12.3% | Higher: Salon-de-Provence+0.7 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Arles | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Patrick de Carolis | Nicolas Isnard | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous centre | Les Républicains | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Salon-de-Provence+1.5 pt | 95% | 96% | Better covered: Salon-de-Provence+1.5 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Arles | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Salon-de-Provence+3% | 83.0436 in total | 85.6383 in total | More shops per capita: Salon-de-Provence+3% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arles+10% | 25.3133 in total | 23.0103 in total | More per capita: Arles+10% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arles+22% | 59.2311 in total | 48.5217 in total | More per capita: Arles+22% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arles+47% | 22.3117 in total | 15.268 in total | More per capita: Arles+47% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arles+17% | 2.111 in total | 1.88 in total | More per capita: Arles+17% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arles2.2 times as high | 8.243 in total | 3.817 in total | More per capita: Arles2.2 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Arles | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Arles+15% | 4.4 | 3.9 | Better access: Arles+15% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arles2.3 times as high | 20.0105 in total | 8.739 in total | More per capita: Arles2.3 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Salon-de-Provence+30% | 15.883 in total | 20.692 in total | More per capita: Salon-de-Provence+30% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Salon-de-Provence+84% | 5.730 in total | 10.547 in total | More per capita: Salon-de-Provence+84% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arles+34% | 4.222 in total | 3.114 in total | More per capita: Arles+34% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Salon-de-Provence+2 | 5 | 7 | More facilities: Salon-de-Provence+2 |
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 | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Arles+13 | 42 | 29 | More schools: Arles+13 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Arles+1 | 7 | 6 | More middle schools: Arles+1 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Salon-de-Provence+1 | 7 | 8 | More high schools: Salon-de-Provence+1 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Arles+6 | 12 | 6 | More facilities: Arles+6 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Arles | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Arles+15% | 7.2 | 6.3 | Higher rate: Arles+15% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Arles+20% | 13.4 | 11.1 | Higher rate: Arles+20% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Arles+6% | 5.0 | 4.7 | Higher rate: Arles+6% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Arles+13% | 2.3 | 2.0 | Higher rate: Arles+13% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Arles+1% | 10.3 | 10.2 | Higher rate: Arles+1% |
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 | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Arles+0.5 °C | 15.2°C | 14.7°C | Warmer: Arles+0.5 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Salon-de-Provence+8% | 2,680 | 2,898 | Sunnier: Salon-de-Provence+8% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Salon-de-Provence+4% | 570 | 594 | Wetter: Salon-de-Provence+4% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Salon-de-Provence+2 days/year | 54 | 57 | More rainy days: Salon-de-Provence+2 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Salon-de-Provence+19 days/year | 19 | 38 | More frost days: Salon-de-Provence+19 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Salon-de-Provence+12 days/year | 38 | 50 | More hot days: Salon-de-Provence+12 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 | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Arles+17 | 26 | 9 | More declarations: Arles+17 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Arles | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Arles11 times as high | 759 | 70.3 | Larger: Arles11 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Salon-de-Provence+65 m | 14 m | 79 m | Higher: Salon-de-Provence+65 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| 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 | Salon-de-Provence | |
| Functional area | Arles | Salon-de-Provence |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Arles vs Salon-de-Provence at a glance
| Criterion | Arles | Salon-de-Provence |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 52,515 | 44,736 |
| Change over 10 years | −1.4% | −0.2% |
| Density per km² | 69.2 | 636 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,477 | 2,765 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,957 | 3,829 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.0 | 14.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 46.05% | 48.87% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,740 | 25,100 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.4 | 3.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 7.2 | 6.3 |
| Average temperature | 15.2°C | 14.7°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,680 | 2,898 |
| Area km² | 759 | 70.3 |
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FAQ
Arles vs Salon-de-Provence: your questions
Which is the larger city, Arles or Salon-de-Provence?
By population, Arles: 52,515 inhabitants versus 44,736 for Salon-de-Provence (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Arles is the 127th largest city in France, Salon-de-Provence the 167th. By area, Arles is also the larger (759 km²).
How far is Arles from Salon-de-Provence?
Arles and Salon-de-Provence are 34 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 Salon-de-Provence?
To buy an apartment, Salon-de-Provence is more expensive: €2,765 per m² (median price), versus €2,477 in Arles (+12%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Arles or Salon-de-Provence?
In Salon-de-Provence, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,100 a year, versus €22,740 in Arles (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Arles or Salon-de-Provence?
Salon-de-Provence: 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