2026 comparison
Besançon vs Chalon-sur-Saône: 2026 comparison
Besançon has more inhabitants than Chalon-sur-Saône: 121,627 versus 46,481, or 2.6 times as many. Besançon covers a larger area (65.1 km² versus 15.2 km²), but Chalon-sur-Saône is more densely populated: 3,054 inhabitants per km² versus 1,870.
The median apartment price is higher in Besançon: €2,177 per m² versus €1,341. The median standard of living is higher in Besançon (€23,240 a year versus €21,780).
The two cities are 102 km apart as the crow flies.
Besançon
City in Doubs
FDoubs25Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
- Population
- 121,627 inhab.
- 33rd in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 65.1 km²
- Density
- 1,870 per km²
© Benjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0
Chalon-sur-Saône
City in Saône-et-Loire
FSaône-et-Loire71Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
- Population
- 46,481 inhab.
- 156th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 15.2 km²
- Density
- 3,054 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
BesançonChalon-sur-Saône
| Criterion | Besançon | Chalon-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Besançon2.6 times as high | 121,627 | 46,481 | More populous: Besançon2.6 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Besançon+0.8 pt | +1.5% | +0.7% | Stronger growth: Besançon+0.8 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Besançon+1.5 pt | +1.3% | −0.1% | Stronger growth: Besançon+1.5 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Chalon-sur-Saône+63% | 1,870 | 3,054 | Denser: Chalon-sur-Saône+63% |
| Under 15More young people: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.8 pt | 14.4% | 16.2% | More young people: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.8 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Chalon-sur-Saône+4.4 pts | 18.8% | 23.2% | More seniors: Chalon-sur-Saône+4.4 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.02 | 1.78 | 1.80 | Larger households: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.02 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Besançon | Chalon-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Besançon+62% | 2,177 | 1,341 | More expensive: Besançon+62% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Besançon+41% | 2,756 | 1,948 | More expensive: Besançon+41% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Besançon+13% | 12.9 | 11.4 | More expensive: Besançon+13% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Besançon+8% | 11.0 | 10.1 | More expensive: Besançon+8% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Chalon-sur-Saône+2.0 pts | 35.5% | 37.6% | More homeowners: Chalon-sur-Saône+2.0 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Besançon+0.5 pt | 12.8% | 12.3% | More houses: Besançon+0.5 pt |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Chalon-sur-Saône+4.9 pts | 32.6% | 37.4% | More social housing: Chalon-sur-Saône+4.9 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.4 pt | 2.5% | 4.0% | More second homes: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.4 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Besançon+1.4 pt | 9.5% | 8.1% | More vacant homes: Besançon+1.4 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+3.7 pts | 45.65% | 49.34% | Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+3.7 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 | Besançon | Chalon-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Besançon+7% | 23,240 | 21,780 | Higher: Besançon+7% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.4 pt | 24.0% | 25.4% | Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.4 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Besançon+13% | €27,048 | €24,034 | Higher: Besançon+13% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Besançon+4.6 pts | 45% | 41% | More taxpaying households: Besançon+4.6 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+6.3 pts | 69.1% | 75.4% | Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+6.3 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.8 pt | 14.5% | 16.2% | Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.8 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Besançon | Chalon-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Ludovic Fagaut | Gilles Platret | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Chalon-sur-Saône+2.4 pts | 96% | 99% | Better covered: Chalon-sur-Saône+2.4 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Besançon | Chalon-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+41% | 67.8825 in total | 95.3443 in total | More shops per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+41% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+21% | 19.5237 in total | 23.7110 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+21% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+43% | 35.6433 in total | 50.8236 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+43% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+73% | 16.3198 in total | 28.2131 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+73% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+12% | 2.328 in total | 2.612 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+12% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+47% | 2.125 in total | 3.014 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+47% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Besançon+1 | 2 | 1 | More stations: Besançon+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Besançon | Chalon-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Besançon+38% | 5.1 | 3.7 | Better access: Besançon+38% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Besançon2.0 times as high | 12.7155 in total | 6.229 in total | More per capita: Besançon2.0 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Besançon+8% | 46.9570 in total | 43.2201 in total | More per capita: Besançon+8% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+37% | 6.984 in total | 9.544 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+37% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+18% | 3.340 in total | 3.918 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+18% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Besançon+7 | 19 | 12 | More facilities: Besançon+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 | Besançon | Chalon-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Besançon+42 | 70 | 28 | More schools: Besançon+42 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Besançon+9 | 16 | 7 | More middle schools: Besançon+9 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Besançon+14 | 23 | 9 | More high schools: Besançon+14 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Besançon+16 | 27 | 11 | More facilities: Besançon+16 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Besançon | Chalon-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+40% | 2.8 | 4.0 | Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+40% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Besançon+2% | 11.3 | 11.0 | Higher rate: Besançon+2% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Besançon+41% | 5.4 | 3.9 | Higher rate: Besançon+41% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+24% | 1.4 | 1.7 | Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+24% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+3% | 10.3 | 10.6 | Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+3% |
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 | Besançon | Chalon-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.9 °C | 11.4°C | 12.3°C | Warmer: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.9 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,873 | — | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Besançon+41% | 1,157 | 818 | Wetter: Besançon+41% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Besançon+26 days/year | 136 | 110 | More rainy days: Besançon+26 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearTie | 58 | 58 | Tie |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Chalon-sur-Saône+21 days/year | 15 | 36 | More hot days: Chalon-sur-Saône+21 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 | Besançon | Chalon-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Besançon+4 | 16 | 12 | More declarations: Besançon+4 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Besançon | Chalon-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Besançon4.3 times as high | 65.1 | 15.2 | Larger: Besançon4.3 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Besançon+68 m | 246 m | 178 m | Higher: Besançon+68 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| Department | Doubs (25) | Saône-et-Loire (71) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté urbaine Grand Besançon Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération Le Grand Chalon | |
| Urban unit | Besançon | Chalon-sur-Saône | |
| Functional area | Besançon | Chalon-sur-Saône |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Besançon vs Chalon-sur-Saône at a glance
| Criterion | Besançon | Chalon-sur-Saône |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 121,627 | 46,481 |
| Change over 10 years | +1.3% | −0.1% |
| Density per km² | 1,870 | 3,054 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,177 | 1,341 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,756 | 1,948 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.9 | 11.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 45.65% | 49.34% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 23,240 | 21,780 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 14.5% | 16.2% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 99% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.1 | 3.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 2.8 | 4.0 |
| Average temperature | 11.4°C | 12.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,873 | — |
| Area km² | 65.1 | 15.2 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Besançon vs Chalon-sur-Saône: your questions
Which is the larger city, Besançon or Chalon-sur-Saône?
By population, Besançon: 121,627 inhabitants versus 46,481 for Chalon-sur-Saône (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Besançon is the 33rd largest city in France, Chalon-sur-Saône the 156th. By area, Besançon is also the larger (65.1 km²).
How far is Besançon from Chalon-sur-Saône?
Besançon and Chalon-sur-Saône are 102 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Besançon or Chalon-sur-Saône?
To buy an apartment, Besançon is more expensive: €2,177 per m² (median price), versus €1,341 in Chalon-sur-Saône (+62%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Besançon or Chalon-sur-Saône?
In Besançon, half of the residents have a standard of living above €23,240 a year, versus €21,780 in Chalon-sur-Saône (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Besançon and Chalon-sur-Saône in the same department?
No: Besançon is in Doubs (25), and Chalon-sur-Saône in Saône-et-Loire (71), both in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures