2026 comparison
Arras vs Béthune: 2026 comparison
Arras has more inhabitants than Béthune: 43,765 versus 25,585, or 71% more. Arras is both larger (11.6 km² versus 9.5 km²) and more densely populated (3,763 inhabitants per km² versus 2,705).
The median apartment price is higher in Arras: €2,429 per m² versus €1,714. The median standard of living is higher in Arras (€22,410 a year versus €21,370).
The two cities are 28 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Arras
City in Pas-de-Calais
FPas-de-Calais62Hauts-de-France
- Population
- 43,765 inhab.
- 178th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 11.6 km²
- Density
- 3,763 per km²
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Béthune
City in Pas-de-Calais
FPas-de-Calais62Hauts-de-France
- Population
- 25,585 inhab.
- 366th in France · 7th in its department
- Area
- 9.5 km²
- Density
- 2,705 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
ArrasBéthune
| Criterion | Arras | Béthune | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Arras+71% | 43,765 | 25,585 | More populous: Arras+71% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Arras+3.1 pts | +3.2% | +0.1% | Stronger growth: Arras+3.1 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Arras+5.9 pts | +5.0% | −0.9% | Stronger growth: Arras+5.9 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Arras+39% | 3,763 | 2,705 | Denser: Arras+39% |
| Under 15More young people: Arras+1.1 pt | 16.7% | 15.6% | More young people: Arras+1.1 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Béthune+1.7 pt | 17.7% | 19.5% | More seniors: Béthune+1.7 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Béthune+0.02 | 1.92 | 1.94 | Larger households: Béthune+0.02 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Arras | Béthune | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Arras+42% | 2,429 | 1,714 | More expensive: Arras+42% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Arras+28% | 1,934 | 1,512 | More expensive: Arras+28% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Arras+10% | 12.7 | 11.5 | More expensive: Arras+10% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Arras+17% | 10.3 | 8.8 | More expensive: Arras+17% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Béthune+5.1 pts | 33.5% | 38.6% | More homeowners: Béthune+5.1 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Béthune+17 pts | 33.5% | 50.5% | More houses: Béthune+17 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Arras+5.8 pts | 35.6% | 29.8% | More social housing: Arras+5.8 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Arras+0.6 pt | 1.8% | 1.2% | More second homes: Arras+0.6 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Béthune+1.2 pt | 10.3% | 11.5% | More vacant homes: Béthune+1.2 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Béthune+28 pts | 54.27% | 82.34% | Higher rate: Béthune+28 pts |
| Vacant private homes share of private housingHigher share: Arras+0.2 pt | 9.2% | 9.0% | Higher share: Arras+0.2 pt |
Sources: DGFiP (DVF), Ministry of Housing (rent map), INSEE, census, Ministry for the Ecological Transition (SRU), DGFiP, local taxation, Ministry of Housing and Cerema (LOVAC)
Income and jobs
Residents’ income and jobs
| Criterion | Arras | Béthune | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Arras+5% | 22,410 | 21,370 | Higher: Arras+5% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Béthune+1.9 pt | 26.1% | 28.0% | Higher: Béthune+1.9 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Arras+14% | €27,216 | €23,924 | Higher: Arras+14% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Arras+5.4 pts | 42% | 36% | More taxpaying households: Arras+5.4 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Béthune+0.6 pt | 69.9% | 70.5% | Higher: Béthune+0.6 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Béthune+1.4 pt | 16.5% | 17.9% | Higher: Béthune+1.4 pt |
| Average net monthly salary private-sector employees working in the townHigher: Arras+6% | €2,376 | €2,246 | Higher: Arras+6% |
| Active establishments per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Béthune+5% | 8973,924 in total | 9402,406 in total | More per capita: Béthune+5% |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census, INSEE, all-employees database, INSEE, SIDE
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Arras | Béthune | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Frédéric Leturque | Olivier Gacquerre | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 municipal elections) | Miscellaneous center (Divers centre) | Union of Democrats and Independents (Union des démocrates et indépendants) | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Béthune+3.2 pts | 93% | 96% | Better covered: Béthune+3.2 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Town finances
Town debt, taxes and spending
| Criterion | Arras | Béthune | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt per inhabitantHigher: Béthune+62% | €877 | €1,424 | Higher: Béthune+62% |
| Local taxes per inhabitant collected by the townHigher: Béthune+27% | €649 | €823 | Higher: Béthune+27% |
| Capital spending per inhabitantHigher: Arras+22% | €523 | €428 | Higher: Arras+22% |
| Operating expenses per inhabitantHigher: Béthune+4% | €1,641 | €1,699 | Higher: Béthune+4% |
Main budget of the town for the latest fiscal year published, in euros per inhabitant (DGF population). Source: DGFiP, town accounts
Elections
Turnout and results
| Criterion | Arras | Béthune | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turnout, 2022 presidential (1st round)Higher: Arras+3.8 pts | 70.3% | 66.6% | Higher: Arras+3.8 pts |
| Turnout, 2022 presidential (2nd round)Higher: Arras+2.7 pts | 70.2% | 67.5% | Higher: Arras+2.7 pts |
| First place, 2022 presidential (2nd round) | Emmanuel Macron, 59.0% | Marine Le Pen, 50.6% | |
| Turnout, 2024 European electionsHigher: Arras+3.6 pts | 49.4% | 45.8% | Higher: Arras+3.6 pts |
| First place, 2024 European elections political label of the list | National Rally (Rassemblement national), 30.3% | National Rally, 39.6% |
Turnout: voters per 100 registered voters; first place: share of the valid votes in the town (blank and spoiled ballots excluded), with European lists shown under the political label assigned by the Ministry of the Interior. Source: Ministry of the Interior, elections
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Arras | Béthune | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Béthune+6% | 91.9402 in total | 96.9248 in total | More shops per capita: Béthune+6% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arras+18% | 22.699 in total | 19.249 in total | More per capita: Arras+18% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arras+13% | 45.5199 in total | 40.3103 in total | More per capita: Arras+13% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arras+14% | 27.6121 in total | 24.262 in total | More per capita: Arras+14% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Béthune+92% | 1.88 in total | 3.59 in total | More per capita: Béthune+92% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arras+40% | 2.712 in total | 2.05 in total | More per capita: Arras+40% |
| Passenger train stationsTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Tourism and heritage
Hotels, campsites, monuments and stations
| Criterion | Arras | Béthune | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel roomsMore rooms: Arras3.0 times as high | 639 | 212 | More rooms: Arras3.0 times as high |
| CampsitesTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
| Historic monumentsMore monuments: Arras+211 | 227 | 16 | More monuments: Arras+211 |
| Train station passengers per yearMore passengers: Arras2.6 times as high | 4,773,655 | 1,848,625 | More passengers: Arras2.6 times as high |
Sources: INSEE, tourist accommodation, Ministry of Culture (Mérimée), SNCF Gares & Connexions
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Arras | Béthune | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Arras+37% | 4.2 | 3.1 | Better access: Arras+37% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Béthune+89% | 8.939 in total | 16.843 in total | More per capita: Béthune+89% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Béthune+18% | 38.2167 in total | 44.9115 in total | More per capita: Béthune+18% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arras+14% | 10.345 in total | 9.023 in total | More per capita: Arras+14% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Béthune+7% | 3.716 in total | 3.910 in total | More per capita: Béthune+7% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Arras+3 | 7 | 4 | More facilities: Arras+3 |
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 | Arras | Béthune | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Arras+9 | 25 | 16 | More schools: Arras+9 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Arras+2 | 8 | 6 | More middle schools: Arras+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Arras+2 | 7 | 5 | More high schools: Arras+2 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Arras+13 | 17 | 4 | More facilities: Arras+13 |
| Brevet pass rate the town’s middle schools, latest sessionHigher rate: Arras+0.5 pt | 88.9% | 88.4% | Higher rate: Arras+0.5 pt |
| General and technological baccalaureate pass rate the town’s high schools, latest sessionHigher rate: Béthune+1.1 pt | 96.4% | 97.5% | Higher rate: Béthune+1.1 pt |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE), Ministry of Education (DEPP)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Arras | Béthune | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Béthune+33% | 4.5 | 6.0 | Higher rate: Béthune+33% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Arras+10% | 12.5 | 11.4 | Higher rate: Arras+10% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Béthune+4% | 8.8 | 9.2 | Higher rate: Béthune+4% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Tie | 1.1 | 1.1 | Tie |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Béthune+1% | 16.0 | 16.2 | Higher rate: Béthune+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 | Arras | Béthune | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Béthune+0.3 °C | 10.8°C | 11.1°C | Warmer: Béthune+0.3 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Béthune+3% | 711 | 732 | Wetter: Béthune+3% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Arras+2 days/year | 125 | 124 | More rainy days: Arras+2 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Arras+4 days/year | 43 | 39 | More frost days: Arras+4 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreTie | 6 | 6 | Tie |
Climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each commune. Source: Météo-France, climate normals
Natural hazards
Natural disasters and prevention
| Criterion | Arras | Béthune | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Béthune+2 | 16 | 18 | More declarations: Béthune+2 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Low | Low, with aggravating factors |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Arras | Béthune | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Arras+23% | 11.6 | 9.46 | Larger: Arras+23% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Arras+35 m | 70 m | 35 m | Higher: Arras+35 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban center | Intermediate urban center | |
| DepartmentSame | Pas-de-Calais (62) | Pas-de-Calais (62) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté urbaine d'Arras | Communauté d'agglomération de Béthune-Bruay, Artois-Lys Romane | |
| Urban unit | Arras | Béthune | |
| Functional area | Arras | Béthune |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Arras vs Béthune at a glance
| Criterion | Arras | Béthune |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 43,765 | 25,585 |
| Change over 10 years | +5.0% | −0.9% |
| Density per km² | 3,763 | 2,705 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,429 | 1,714 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,934 | 1,512 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.7 | 11.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 54.27% | 82.34% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,410 | 21,370 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 16.5% | 17.9% |
| Premises with fiber | 93% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.2 | 3.1 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.5 | 6.0 |
| Average temperature | 10.8°C | 11.1°C |
| Area km² | 11.6 | 9.46 |
| Debt per inhabitant | €877 | €1,424 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Arras vs Béthune: your questions
Which is the larger city, Arras or Béthune?
By population, Arras: 43,765 inhabitants versus 25,585 for Béthune (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Arras is the 178th largest city in France, Béthune the 366th. By area, Arras is also the larger (11.6 km²).
How far is Arras from Béthune?
Arras and Béthune are 28 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Pas-de-Calais).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Arras or Béthune?
To buy an apartment, Arras is more expensive: €2,429 per m² (median price), versus €1,714 in Béthune (+42%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Arras or Béthune?
In Arras, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,410 a year, versus €21,370 in Béthune (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Arras and Béthune in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Pas-de-Calais (62), in the Hauts-de-France region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures