2026 comparison
Auxerre vs Sens: 2026 comparison
Auxerre has more inhabitants than Sens: 36,245 versus 27,600, or 31% more. Auxerre covers a larger area (50.0 km² versus 21.9 km²), but Sens is more densely populated: 1,260 inhabitants per km² versus 726.
The median apartment price is higher in Sens: €1,633 per m² versus €1,562. The median standard of living is higher in Auxerre (€22,700 a year versus €20,780).
The two cities are 49 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Auxerre
City in Yonne
FYonne89Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
- Population
- 36,245 inhab.
- 234th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 50.0 km²
- Density
- 726 per km²
Sens
City in Yonne
FYonne89Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
- Population
- 27,600 inhab.
- 324th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 21.9 km²
- Density
- 1,260 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
AuxerreSens
| Criterion | Auxerre | Sens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Auxerre+31% | 36,245 | 27,600 | More populous: Auxerre+31% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Sens+1.0 pt | +1.0% | +2.0% | Stronger growth: Sens+1.0 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Sens+7.7 pts | +0.7% | +8.3% | Stronger growth: Sens+7.7 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Sens+74% | 726 | 1,260 | Denser: Sens+74% |
| Under 15More young people: Sens+3.7 pts | 15.3% | 19.0% | More young people: Sens+3.7 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Auxerre+1.0 pt | 24.1% | 23.1% | More seniors: Auxerre+1.0 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Sens+0.20 | 1.81 | 2.01 | Larger households: Sens+0.20 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Auxerre | Sens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Sens+5% | 1,562 | 1,633 | More expensive: Sens+5% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Auxerre+0.3% | 1,852 | 1,846 | More expensive: Auxerre+0.3% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Sens+5% | 11.6 | 12.2 | More expensive: Sens+5% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Sens+6% | 9.8 | 10.4 | More expensive: Sens+6% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Auxerre+4.7 pts | 39.9% | 35.3% | More homeowners: Auxerre+4.7 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Sens+0.5 pt | 34.1% | 34.6% | More houses: Sens+0.5 pt |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Sens+0.9 pt | 33.8% | 34.8% | More social housing: Sens+0.9 pt |
| Second homesMore second homes: Auxerre+0.5 pt | 3.1% | 2.6% | More second homes: Auxerre+0.5 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Auxerre+3.1 pts | 13.0% | 9.8% | More vacant homes: Auxerre+3.1 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Auxerre+1.8 pt | 54.58% | 52.76% | Higher rate: Auxerre+1.8 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 | Auxerre | Sens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Auxerre+9% | 22,700 | 20,780 | Higher: Auxerre+9% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Sens+5.2 pts | 23.8% | 29.0% | Higher: Sens+5.2 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Auxerre+8% | €26,660 | €24,719 | Higher: Auxerre+8% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Auxerre+5.2 pts | 42% | 37% | More taxpaying households: Auxerre+5.2 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Auxerre+1.2 pt | 72.7% | 71.5% | Higher: Auxerre+1.2 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Sens+4.4 pts | 15.6% | 20.1% | Higher: Sens+4.4 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Auxerre | Sens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Mathieu Debain | Paul-Antoine de Carville | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous centre | Les Républicains | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Auxerre+2.5 pts | 99% | 96% | Better covered: Auxerre+2.5 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Auxerre | Sens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Sens+3% | 88.3320 in total | 90.9251 in total | More shops per capita: Sens+3% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Sens+29% | 18.266 in total | 23.665 in total | More per capita: Sens+29% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Sens+5% | 39.2142 in total | 41.3114 in total | More per capita: Sens+5% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Auxerre+36% | 27.098 in total | 19.955 in total | More per capita: Auxerre+36% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Auxerre+33% | 3.914 in total | 2.98 in total | More per capita: Auxerre+33% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Sens+53% | 1.76 in total | 2.57 in total | More per capita: Sens+53% |
| 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 | Auxerre | Sens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Sens+8% | 3.4 | 3.7 | Better access: Sens+8% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Auxerre+11% | 9.735 in total | 8.724 in total | More per capita: Auxerre+11% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Auxerre+34% | 37.5136 in total | 27.977 in total | More per capita: Auxerre+34% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Sens+5% | 8.330 in total | 8.724 in total | More per capita: Sens+5% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Sens+61% | 2.59 in total | 4.011 in total | More per capita: Sens+61% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Auxerre+2 | 12 | 10 | More facilities: Auxerre+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 | Auxerre | Sens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Auxerre+2 | 21 | 19 | More schools: Auxerre+2 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Auxerre+2 | 7 | 5 | More middle schools: Auxerre+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Auxerre+3 | 6 | 3 | More high schools: Auxerre+3 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Auxerre+7 | 10 | 3 | More facilities: Auxerre+7 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Auxerre | Sens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Auxerre+2% | 6.6 | 6.5 | Higher rate: Auxerre+2% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Auxerre+53% | 12.8 | 8.4 | Higher rate: Auxerre+53% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Auxerre+25% | 7.1 | 5.7 | Higher rate: Auxerre+25% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Tie | 2.3 | 2.3 | Tie |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Auxerre+39% | 15.8 | 11.4 | Higher rate: Auxerre+39% |
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 | Auxerre | Sens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Sens+0.3 °C | 11.6°C | 11.9°C | Warmer: Sens+0.3 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Auxerre+15% | 740 | 645 | Wetter: Auxerre+15% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Auxerre+9 days/year | 122 | 113 | More rainy days: Auxerre+9 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Auxerre+17 days/year | 65 | 47 | More frost days: Auxerre+17 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Auxerre+5 days/year | 23 | 18 | More hot days: Auxerre+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 | Auxerre | Sens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Auxerre+4 | 21 | 17 | More declarations: Auxerre+4 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Auxerre | Sens | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Auxerre2.3 times as high | 50.0 | 21.9 | Larger: Auxerre2.3 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Auxerre+54 m | 128 m | 73 m | Higher: Auxerre+54 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Yonne (89) | Yonne (89) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération de l'Auxerrois | Communauté d'agglomération du Grand Sénonais | |
| Urban unit | Auxerre | Sens | |
| Functional area | Auxerre | Sens |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Auxerre vs Sens at a glance
| Criterion | Auxerre | Sens |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 36,245 | 27,600 |
| Change over 10 years | +0.7% | +8.3% |
| Density per km² | 726 | 1,260 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,562 | 1,633 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,852 | 1,846 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.6 | 12.2 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 54.58% | 52.76% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,700 | 20,780 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 15.6% | 20.1% |
| Premises with fiber | 99% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.4 | 3.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.6 | 6.5 |
| Average temperature | 11.6°C | 11.9°C |
| Area km² | 50.0 | 21.9 |
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FAQ
Auxerre vs Sens: your questions
Which is the larger city, Auxerre or Sens?
By population, Auxerre: 36,245 inhabitants versus 27,600 for Sens (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Auxerre is the 234th largest city in France, Sens the 324th. By area, Auxerre is also the larger (50.0 km²).
How far is Auxerre from Sens?
Auxerre and Sens are 49 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Yonne).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Auxerre or Sens?
To buy an apartment, Sens is more expensive: €1,633 per m² (median price), versus €1,562 in Auxerre (+5%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Auxerre or Sens?
In Auxerre, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,700 a year, versus €20,780 in Sens (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Auxerre and Sens in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Yonne (89), in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures