2026 comparison
Arras vs Douai: 2026 comparison
Arras has more inhabitants than Douai: 43,765 versus 41,108, or 6.5% more. Douai covers a larger area (16.9 km² versus 11.6 km²), but Arras is more densely populated: 3,763 inhabitants per km² versus 2,435.
The median apartment price is higher in Arras: €2,429 per m² versus €1,628. The median standard of living is higher in Arras (€22,410 a year versus €20,230).
The two cities are 26 km apart as the crow flies.
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
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Douai
City in Nord
- Population
- 41,108 inhab.
- 195th in France · 7th in its department
- Area
- 16.9 km²
- Density
- 2,435 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
ArrasDouai
| Criterion | Arras | Douai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Arras+6% | 43,765 | 41,108 | More populous: Arras+6% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Arras+1.6 pt | +3.2% | +1.6% | Stronger growth: Arras+1.6 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Arras+7.3 pts | +5.0% | −2.3% | Stronger growth: Arras+7.3 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Arras+55% | 3,763 | 2,435 | Denser: Arras+55% |
| Under 15More young people: Douai+0.7 pt | 16.7% | 17.4% | More young people: Douai+0.7 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Douai+0.8 pt | 17.7% | 18.5% | More seniors: Douai+0.8 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Douai+0.09 | 1.92 | 2.01 | Larger households: Douai+0.09 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Arras | Douai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Arras+49% | 2,429 | 1,628 | More expensive: Arras+49% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Arras+23% | 1,934 | 1,567 | More expensive: Arras+23% |
| 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+12% | 10.3 | 9.2 | More expensive: Arras+12% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Douai+1.6 pt | 33.5% | 35.1% | More homeowners: Douai+1.6 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Douai+8.1 pts | 33.5% | 41.5% | More houses: Douai+8.1 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | 35.6% | — | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Arras+0.3 pt | 1.8% | 1.5% | More second homes: Arras+0.3 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Douai+3.7 pts | 10.3% | 14.0% | More vacant homes: Douai+3.7 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Arras+1.3 pt | 54.27% | 52.97% | Higher rate: Arras+1.3 pt |
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 | Douai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Arras+11% | 22,410 | 20,230 | Higher: Arras+11% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Douai+5.3 pts | 26.1% | 31.4% | Higher: Douai+5.3 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Arras+18% | €27,216 | €23,017 | Higher: Arras+18% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Arras+7.0 pts | 42% | 35% | More taxpaying households: Arras+7.0 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Arras+1.7 pt | 69.9% | 68.2% | Higher: Arras+1.7 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Douai+5.1 pts | 16.5% | 21.6% | Higher: Douai+5.1 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Arras | Douai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Frédéric Leturque | Frédéric Chéreau | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous centre | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Douai+2.0 pt | 93% | 95% | Better covered: Douai+2.0 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Arras | Douai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Arras+53% | 91.9402 in total | 60.1247 in total | More shops per capita: Arras+53% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arras+37% | 22.699 in total | 16.568 in total | More per capita: Arras+37% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arras+21% | 45.5199 in total | 37.5154 in total | More per capita: Arras+21% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arras+5% | 27.6121 in total | 26.3108 in total | More per capita: Arras+5% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arras+7% | 1.88 in total | 1.77 in total | More per capita: Arras+7% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arras2.8 times as high | 2.712 in total | 1.04 in total | More per capita: Arras2.8 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 | Arras | Douai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Arras+32% | 4.2 | 3.2 | Better access: Arras+32% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arras+22% | 8.939 in total | 7.330 in total | More per capita: Arras+22% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arras+45% | 38.2167 in total | 26.3108 in total | More per capita: Arras+45% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arras+11% | 10.345 in total | 9.238 in total | More per capita: Arras+11% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Arras+37% | 3.716 in total | 2.711 in total | More per capita: Arras+37% |
| 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 | Douai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Douai+4 | 25 | 29 | More schools: Douai+4 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Douai+2 | 8 | 10 | More middle schools: Douai+2 |
| High schoolsTie | 7 | 7 | Tie |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Arras+11 | 17 | 6 | More facilities: Arras+11 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Arras | Douai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Douai2.1 times as high | 4.5 | 9.3 | Higher rate: Douai2.1 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Arras+1% | 12.5 | 12.4 | Higher rate: Arras+1% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Arras+9% | 8.8 | 8.1 | Higher rate: Arras+9% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Douai2.6 times as high | 1.1 | 2.9 | Higher rate: Douai2.6 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Arras+5% | 16.0 | 15.3 | Higher rate: Arras+5% |
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 | Douai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Douai+0.2 °C | 10.8°C | 11.0°C | Warmer: Douai+0.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,627 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Douai+3% | 711 | 729 | Wetter: Douai+3% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Douai+1 days/year | 125 | 126 | More rainy days: Douai+1 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Douai+5 days/year | 43 | 48 | More frost days: Douai+5 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Douai+2 days/year | 6 | 8 | More hot days: Douai+2 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 | Douai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Arras+2 | 16 | 14 | More declarations: Arras+2 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Arras+1 | 1 | 0 | More plans: Arras+1 |
| Radon potential | Low | Low, with aggravating factors |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Arras | Douai | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Douai+45% | 11.6 | 16.9 | Larger: Douai+45% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Arras+41 m | 70 m | 29 m | Higher: Arras+41 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Pas-de-Calais (62) | Nord (59) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté urbaine d'Arras | Communauté d'agglomération Douaisis Agglo | |
| Urban unit | Arras | Douai-Lens | |
| Functional area | Arras | Douai |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Arras vs Douai at a glance
| Criterion | Arras | Douai |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 43,765 | 41,108 |
| Change over 10 years | +5.0% | −2.3% |
| Density per km² | 3,763 | 2,435 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,429 | 1,628 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,934 | 1,567 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.7 | 11.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 54.27% | 52.97% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,410 | 20,230 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 16.5% | 21.6% |
| Premises with fiber | 93% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.2 | 3.2 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.5 | 9.3 |
| Average temperature | 10.8°C | 11.0°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,627 |
| Area km² | 11.6 | 16.9 |
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FAQ
Arras vs Douai: your questions
Which is the larger city, Arras or Douai?
By population, Arras: 43,765 inhabitants versus 41,108 for Douai (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Arras is the 177th largest city in France, Douai the 195th. By area, Douai is the larger (16.9 km²).
How far is Arras from Douai?
Arras and Douai are 26 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Arras or Douai?
To buy an apartment, Arras is more expensive: €2,429 per m² (median price), versus €1,628 in Douai (+49%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Arras or Douai?
In Arras, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,410 a year, versus €20,230 in Douai (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Arras and Douai in the same department?
No: Arras is in Pas-de-Calais (62), and Douai in Nord (59), both in the Hauts-de-France region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures