2026 comparison
Arras vs Boulogne-sur-Mer: 2026 comparison
Arras has more inhabitants than Boulogne-sur-Mer: 43,765 versus 40,924, or 6.9% more. Arras covers a larger area (11.6 km² versus 8.4 km²), but Boulogne-sur-Mer is more densely populated: 4,860 inhabitants per km² versus 3,763.
The median apartment price is higher in Arras: €2,429 per m² versus €1,613. The median standard of living is higher in Arras (€22,410 a year versus €19,800).
The two cities are 96 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
.jpg){kind=link}
Arras
City in Pas-de-Calais
FPas-de-Calais62Hauts-de-France
- Population
- 43,765 inhab.
- 177th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 11.6 km²
- Density
- 3,763 per km²
Boulogne-sur-Mer
City in Pas-de-Calais
FPas-de-Calais62Hauts-de-France
- Population
- 40,924 inhab.
- 198th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 8.4 km²
- Density
- 4,860 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
ArrasBoulogne-sur-Mer
| Criterion | Arras | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Arras+7% | 43,765 | 40,924 | More populous: Arras+7% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Arras+3.5 pts | +3.2% | −0.3% | Stronger growth: Arras+3.5 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Arras+9.7 pts | +5.0% | −4.7% | Stronger growth: Arras+9.7 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Boulogne-sur-Mer+29% | 3,763 | 4,860 | Denser: Boulogne-sur-Mer+29% |
| Under 15More young people: Arras+0.1 pt | 16.7% | 16.6% | More young people: Arras+0.1 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Boulogne-sur-Mer+2.5 pts | 17.7% | 20.2% | More seniors: Boulogne-sur-Mer+2.5 pts |
| People per householdTie | 1.92 | 1.92 | Tie |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Arras | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Arras+51% | 2,429 | 1,613 | More expensive: Arras+51% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Arras+20% | 1,934 | 1,610 | More expensive: Arras+20% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Arras+11% | 12.7 | 11.5 | More expensive: Arras+11% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Arras+8% | 10.3 | 9.5 | More expensive: Arras+8% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Arras+3.5 pts | 33.5% | 30.0% | More homeowners: Arras+3.5 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Arras+7.1 pts | 33.5% | 26.4% | More houses: Arras+7.1 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Boulogne-sur-Mer+2.5 pts | 35.6% | 38.1% | More social housing: Boulogne-sur-Mer+2.5 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Boulogne-sur-Mer+2.2 pts | 1.8% | 4.0% | More second homes: Boulogne-sur-Mer+2.2 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Arras+1.8 pt | 10.3% | 8.5% | More vacant homes: Arras+1.8 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Boulogne-sur-Mer+3.3 pts | 54.27% | 57.59% | Higher rate: Boulogne-sur-Mer+3.3 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 | Arras | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Arras+13% | 22,410 | 19,800 | Higher: Arras+13% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Boulogne-sur-Mer+4.4 pts | 26.1% | 30.5% | Higher: Boulogne-sur-Mer+4.4 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Arras+35% | €27,216 | €20,197 | Higher: Arras+35% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Arras+8.2 pts | 42% | 34% | More taxpaying households: Arras+8.2 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Boulogne-sur-Mer+0.6 pt | 69.9% | 70.5% | Higher: Boulogne-sur-Mer+0.6 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Boulogne-sur-Mer+5.1 pts | 16.5% | 21.6% | Higher: Boulogne-sur-Mer+5.1 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Arras | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Frédéric Leturque | Frédéric Cuvillier | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous centre | Socialist Party | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Boulogne-sur-Mer+6.9 pts | 93% | 100% | Better covered: Boulogne-sur-Mer+6.9 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Arras | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Arras+48% | 91.9402 in total | 62.1254 in total | More shops per capita: Arras+48% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+5% | 22.699 in total | 23.797 in total | More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+5% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arras+17% | 45.5199 in total | 38.9159 in total | More per capita: Arras+17% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arras+95% | 27.6121 in total | 14.258 in total | More per capita: Arras+95% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+74% | 1.88 in total | 3.213 in total | More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+74% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arras+12% | 2.712 in total | 2.410 in total | More per capita: Arras+12% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Boulogne-sur-Mer+1 | 1 | 2 | More stations: Boulogne-sur-Mer+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Arras | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Boulogne-sur-Mer+12% | 4.2 | 4.7 | Better access: Boulogne-sur-Mer+12% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+10% | 8.939 in total | 9.840 in total | More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+10% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arras4.3 times as high | 38.2167 in total | 8.836 in total | More per capita: Arras4.3 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arras+91% | 10.345 in total | 5.422 in total | More per capita: Arras+91% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+20% | 3.716 in total | 4.418 in total | More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+20% |
| HospitalsTie | 7 | 7 | Tie |
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 | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Arras+1 | 25 | 24 | More schools: Arras+1 |
| Middle schoolsTie | 8 | 8 | Tie |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Arras+3 | 7 | 4 | More high schools: Arras+3 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Arras+12 | 17 | 5 | More facilities: Arras+12 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Arras | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Boulogne-sur-Mer+77% | 4.5 | 8.0 | Higher rate: Boulogne-sur-Mer+77% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Arras+25% | 12.5 | 10.0 | Higher rate: Arras+25% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Boulogne-sur-Mer+1% | 8.8 | 8.9 | Higher rate: Boulogne-sur-Mer+1% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Tie | 1.1 | 1.1 | Tie |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Boulogne-sur-Mer+7% | 16.0 | 17.1 | Higher rate: Boulogne-sur-Mer+7% |
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 | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Boulogne-sur-Mer+0.4 °C | 10.8°C | 11.2°C | Warmer: Boulogne-sur-Mer+0.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,710 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Boulogne-sur-Mer+16% | 711 | 825 | Wetter: Boulogne-sur-Mer+16% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Boulogne-sur-Mer+2 days/year | 125 | 127 | More rainy days: Boulogne-sur-Mer+2 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Arras+24 days/year | 43 | 19 | More frost days: Arras+24 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Arras+5 days/year | 6 | 2 | More hot days: Arras+5 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 | Arras | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Boulogne-sur-Mer+9 | 16 | 25 | More declarations: Boulogne-sur-Mer+9 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Boulogne-sur-Mer+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Boulogne-sur-Mer+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Arras | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Arras+38% | 11.6 | 8.42 | Larger: Arras+38% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Arras+19 m | 70 m | 51 m | Higher: Arras+19 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Pas-de-Calais (62) | Pas-de-Calais (62) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté urbaine d'Arras | Communauté d'agglomération du Boulonnais | |
| Urban unit | Arras | Boulogne-sur-Mer | |
| Functional area | Arras | Boulogne-sur-Mer |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Arras vs Boulogne-sur-Mer at a glance
| Criterion | Arras | Boulogne-sur-Mer |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 43,765 | 40,924 |
| Change over 10 years | +5.0% | −4.7% |
| Density per km² | 3,763 | 4,860 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,429 | 1,613 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,934 | 1,610 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.7 | 11.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 54.27% | 57.59% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,410 | 19,800 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 16.5% | 21.6% |
| Premises with fiber | 93% | 100% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.2 | 4.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.5 | 8.0 |
| Average temperature | 10.8°C | 11.2°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,710 |
| Area km² | 11.6 | 8.42 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Arras vs Boulogne-sur-Mer: your questions
Which is the larger city, Arras or Boulogne-sur-Mer?
By population, Arras: 43,765 inhabitants versus 40,924 for Boulogne-sur-Mer (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Arras is the 177th largest city in France, Boulogne-sur-Mer the 198th. By area, Arras is also the larger (11.6 km²).
How far is Arras from Boulogne-sur-Mer?
Arras and Boulogne-sur-Mer are 96 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 Boulogne-sur-Mer?
To buy an apartment, Arras is more expensive: €2,429 per m² (median price), versus €1,613 in Boulogne-sur-Mer (+51%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Arras or Boulogne-sur-Mer?
In Arras, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,410 a year, versus €19,800 in Boulogne-sur-Mer (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Arras and Boulogne-sur-Mer 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