2026 comparison
Bayonne vs Biarritz: 2026 comparison
Bayonne has more inhabitants than Biarritz: 55,590 versus 26,879, or 2.1 times as many. Bayonne is both larger (21.7 km² versus 11.7 km²) and more densely populated (2,564 inhabitants per km² versus 2,305).
The median apartment price is higher in Biarritz: €7,392 per m² versus €4,056. The median standard of living is higher in Biarritz (€29,210 a year versus €24,810).
The two cities are 7.8 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department and the same urban unit (Bayonne (partie française)).
© Daniel VILLAFRUELA, CC BY-SA 3.0
Bayonne
City in Pyrénées-Atlantiques
FPyrénées-Atlantiques64Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Population
- 55,590 inhab.
- 114th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 21.7 km²
- Density
- 2,564 per km²
Biarritz
City in Pyrénées-Atlantiques
FPyrénées-Atlantiques64Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Population
- 26,879 inhab.
- 340th in France · 4th in its department
- Area
- 11.7 km²
- Density
- 2,305 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
BayonneBiarritz
| Criterion | Bayonne | Biarritz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Bayonne2.1 times as high | 55,590 | 26,879 | More populous: Bayonne2.1 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Bayonne+3.0 pts | +5.6% | +2.6% | Stronger growth: Bayonne+3.0 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Bayonne+9.5 pts | +14.3% | +4.9% | Stronger growth: Bayonne+9.5 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Bayonne+11% | 2,564 | 2,305 | Denser: Bayonne+11% |
| Under 15More young people: Bayonne+3.5 pts | 13.0% | 9.5% | More young people: Bayonne+3.5 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Biarritz+15 pts | 21.4% | 36.5% | More seniors: Biarritz+15 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Bayonne+0.07 | 1.75 | 1.68 | Larger households: Bayonne+0.07 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Bayonne | Biarritz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Biarritz+82% | 4,056 | 7,392 | More expensive: Biarritz+82% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Biarritz+74% | 4,697 | 8,184 | More expensive: Biarritz+74% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Biarritz+19% | 13.8 | 16.4 | More expensive: Biarritz+19% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Biarritz+22% | 14.7 | 17.9 | More expensive: Biarritz+22% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Biarritz+18 pts | 36.1% | 53.7% | More homeowners: Biarritz+18 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Biarritz+8.7 pts | 12.4% | 21.1% | More houses: Biarritz+8.7 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Bayonne+15 pts | 26.5% | 11.2% | More social housing: Bayonne+15 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Biarritz+36 pts | 4.4% | 40.1% | More second homes: Biarritz+36 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Bayonne+2.6 pts | 4.7% | 2.1% | More vacant homes: Bayonne+2.6 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Bayonne+3.5 pts | 38.01% | 34.51% | Higher rate: Bayonne+3.5 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 | Bayonne | Biarritz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Biarritz+18% | 24,810 | 29,210 | Higher: Biarritz+18% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Bayonne+3.8 pts | 18.1% | 14.3% | Higher: Bayonne+3.8 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Biarritz+58% | €27,792 | €44,018 | Higher: Biarritz+58% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Biarritz+8.3 pts | 47% | 55% | More taxpaying households: Biarritz+8.3 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Bayonne+1.5 pt | 76.5% | 75.0% | Higher: Bayonne+1.5 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Biarritz+1.2 pt | 11.1% | 12.3% | Higher: Biarritz+1.2 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Bayonne | Biarritz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Jean-René Etchegaray | Serge Blanco | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous centre | miscellaneous centre | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Bayonne+1.6 pt | 97% | 96% | Better covered: Bayonne+1.6 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Bayonne | Biarritz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Biarritz2.0 times as high | 92.1512 in total | 186.0500 in total | More shops per capita: Biarritz2.0 times as high |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Biarritz2.0 times as high | 25.7143 in total | 51.7139 in total | More per capita: Biarritz2.0 times as high |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Biarritz+73% | 56.8316 in total | 98.2264 in total | More per capita: Biarritz+73% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Biarritz+28% | 29.1162 in total | 37.2100 in total | More per capita: Biarritz+28% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bayonne+57% | 2.313 in total | 1.54 in total | More per capita: Bayonne+57% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Biarritz5.6 times as high | 3.419 in total | 19.051 in total | More per capita: Biarritz5.6 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 | Bayonne | Biarritz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Bayonne+51% | 6.7 | 4.4 | Better access: Bayonne+51% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Biarritz+17% | 16.994 in total | 19.753 in total | More per capita: Biarritz+17% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bayonne+27% | 123.6687 in total | 97.5262 in total | More per capita: Bayonne+27% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Biarritz+74% | 12.670 in total | 22.059 in total | More per capita: Biarritz+74% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Biarritz+79% | 4.022 in total | 7.119 in total | More per capita: Biarritz+79% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Bayonne+7 | 8 | 1 | More facilities: Bayonne+7 |
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 | Bayonne | Biarritz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Bayonne+21 | 30 | 9 | More schools: Bayonne+21 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Bayonne+6 | 10 | 4 | More middle schools: Bayonne+6 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Bayonne+6 | 10 | 4 | More high schools: Bayonne+6 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Bayonne+9 | 15 | 6 | More facilities: Bayonne+9 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Bayonne | Biarritz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Biarritz+64% | 3.1 | 5.0 | Higher rate: Biarritz+64% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Bayonne+60% | 27.9 | 17.4 | Higher rate: Bayonne+60% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Bayonne+47% | 5.0 | 3.4 | Higher rate: Bayonne+47% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Biarritz+5% | 2.5 | 2.6 | Higher rate: Biarritz+5% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Bayonne+5% | 14.1 | 13.4 | Higher rate: Bayonne+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)
Natural hazards
Natural disasters and prevention
| Criterion | Bayonne | Biarritz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Bayonne+8 | 25 | 17 | More declarations: Bayonne+8 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Bayonne+1 | 1 | 0 | More plans: Bayonne+1 |
| Radon potential | Low | Low, with aggravating factors |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Bayonne | Biarritz | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Bayonne+86% | 21.7 | 11.7 | Larger: Bayonne+86% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Biarritz+20 m | 3 m | 23 m | Higher: Biarritz+20 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (estuary) | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64) | Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64) | Same |
| IntercommunalitySame | Communauté d'agglomération du Pays Basque | Communauté d'agglomération du Pays Basque | Same |
| Urban unitSame | Bayonne (partie française) | Bayonne (partie française) | Same |
| Functional areaSame | Bayonne (partie française) | Bayonne (partie française) | Same |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Bayonne vs Biarritz at a glance
| Criterion | Bayonne | Biarritz |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 55,590 | 26,879 |
| Change over 10 years | +14.3% | +4.9% |
| Density per km² | 2,564 | 2,305 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,056 | 7,392 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,697 | 8,184 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.8 | 16.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 38.01% | 34.51% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,810 | 29,210 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 6.7 | 4.4 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 3.1 | 5.0 |
| Average temperature | 14.5°C | 14.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,921 | 1,921 |
| Area km² | 21.7 | 11.7 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
Bayonne vs Biarritz: your questions
Which is the larger city, Bayonne or Biarritz?
By population, Bayonne: 55,590 inhabitants versus 26,879 for Biarritz (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Bayonne is the 114th largest city in France, Biarritz the 340th. By area, Bayonne is also the larger (21.7 km²).
How far is Bayonne from Biarritz?
Bayonne and Biarritz are 7.8 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Pyrénées-Atlantiques).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Bayonne or Biarritz?
To buy an apartment, Biarritz is more expensive: €7,392 per m² (median price), versus €4,056 in Bayonne (+82%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Bayonne or Biarritz?
In Biarritz, half of the residents have a standard of living above €29,210 a year, versus €24,810 in Bayonne (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Bayonne and Biarritz in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64), in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures