2026 comparison
Boulogne-sur-Mer vs Calais: 2026 comparison
Calais has more inhabitants than Boulogne-sur-Mer: 68,246 versus 40,924, or 67% more. Calais covers a larger area (33.5 km² versus 8.4 km²), but Boulogne-sur-Mer is more densely populated: 4,860 inhabitants per km² versus 2,037.
The median apartment price is higher in Calais: €1,947 per m² versus €1,613. The median standard of living is higher in Calais (€20,270 a year versus €19,800).
The two cities are 31 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
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
Calais
City in Pas-de-Calais
FPas-de-Calais62Hauts-de-France
- Population
- 68,246 inhab.
- 77th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 33.5 km²
- Density
- 2,037 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Boulogne-sur-MerCalais
| Criterion | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Calais | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Calais+67% | 40,924 | 68,246 | More populous: Calais+67% |
| Change over 5 yearsSmaller decline: Boulogne-sur-Mer+7.0 pts | −0.3% | −7.3% | Smaller decline: Boulogne-sur-Mer+7.0 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsSmaller decline: Boulogne-sur-Mer+2.1 pts | −4.7% | −6.8% | Smaller decline: Boulogne-sur-Mer+2.1 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Boulogne-sur-Mer2.4 times as high | 4,860 | 2,037 | Denser: Boulogne-sur-Mer2.4 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Calais+1.1 pt | 16.6% | 17.6% | More young people: Calais+1.1 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Boulogne-sur-Mer+1.3 pt | 20.2% | 18.9% | More seniors: Boulogne-sur-Mer+1.3 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Calais+0.13 | 1.92 | 2.05 | Larger households: Calais+0.13 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Calais | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Calais+21% | 1,613 | 1,947 | More expensive: Calais+21% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Boulogne-sur-Mer+6% | 1,610 | 1,519 | More expensive: Boulogne-sur-Mer+6% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Calais+1% | 11.5 | 11.6 | More expensive: Calais+1% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Boulogne-sur-Mer+8% | 9.5 | 8.8 | More expensive: Boulogne-sur-Mer+8% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Calais+14 pts | 30.0% | 44.1% | More homeowners: Calais+14 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Calais+24 pts | 26.4% | 50.2% | More houses: Calais+24 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Boulogne-sur-Mer+7.1 pts | 38.1% | 31.0% | More social housing: Boulogne-sur-Mer+7.1 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Boulogne-sur-Mer+1.6 pt | 4.0% | 2.4% | More second homes: Boulogne-sur-Mer+1.6 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Calais+1.3 pt | 8.5% | 9.8% | More vacant homes: Calais+1.3 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Boulogne-sur-Mer+8.8 pts | 57.59% | 48.75% | Higher rate: Boulogne-sur-Mer+8.8 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 | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Calais | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Calais+2% | 19,800 | 20,270 | Higher: Calais+2% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Boulogne-sur-Mer+2.0 pts | 30.5% | 28.5% | Higher: Boulogne-sur-Mer+2.0 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Calais+7% | €20,197 | €21,561 | Higher: Calais+7% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Calais+1.0 pt | 34% | 35% | More taxpaying households: Calais+1.0 pt |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Boulogne-sur-Mer+1.6 pt | 70.5% | 68.9% | Higher: Boulogne-sur-Mer+1.6 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Calais+0.7 pt | 21.6% | 22.3% | Higher: Calais+0.7 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Calais | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Frédéric Cuvillier | Natacha Bouchart | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | Socialist Party | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberTie | 100% | 100% | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Calais | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+11% | 62.1254 in total | 56.1383 in total | More shops per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+11% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+27% | 23.797 in total | 18.6127 in total | More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+27% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+46% | 38.9159 in total | 26.7182 in total | More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+46% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Calais+17% | 14.258 in total | 16.6113 in total | More per capita: Calais+17% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer2.2 times as high | 3.213 in total | 1.510 in total | More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer2.2 times as high |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+39% | 2.410 in total | 1.812 in total | More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+39% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Calais+1 | 2 | 3 | More stations: Calais+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Calais | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Boulogne-sur-Mer+22% | 4.7 | 3.8 | Better access: Boulogne-sur-Mer+22% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+28% | 9.840 in total | 7.652 in total | More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+28% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+40% | 8.836 in total | 6.343 in total | More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+40% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+18% | 5.422 in total | 4.531 in total | More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+18% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+11% | 4.418 in total | 4.027 in total | More per capita: Boulogne-sur-Mer+11% |
| 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 | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Calais | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Calais+12 | 24 | 36 | More schools: Calais+12 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Calais+3 | 8 | 11 | More middle schools: Calais+3 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Calais+4 | 4 | 8 | More high schools: Calais+4 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Calais+1 | 5 | 6 | More facilities: Calais+1 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Calais | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Boulogne-sur-Mer2.5 times as high | 8.0 | 3.2 | Higher rate: Boulogne-sur-Mer2.5 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Boulogne-sur-Mer+25% | 10.0 | 8.0 | Higher rate: Boulogne-sur-Mer+25% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Boulogne-sur-Mer+31% | 8.9 | 6.8 | Higher rate: Boulogne-sur-Mer+31% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Boulogne-sur-Mer+14% | 1.1 | 0.9 | Higher rate: Boulogne-sur-Mer+14% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Boulogne-sur-Mer+27% | 17.1 | 13.5 | Higher rate: Boulogne-sur-Mer+27% |
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 | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Calais | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Boulogne-sur-Mer+0.2 °C | 11.2°C | 11.0°C | Warmer: Boulogne-sur-Mer+0.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,710 | — | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Boulogne-sur-Mer+12% | 825 | 737 | Wetter: Boulogne-sur-Mer+12% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Boulogne-sur-Mer+7 days/year | 127 | 121 | More rainy days: Boulogne-sur-Mer+7 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Calais+12 days/year | 19 | 31 | More frost days: Calais+12 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreTie | 2 | 2 | Tie |
Climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each commune. Source: Météo-France, climate normals
Natural hazards
Natural disasters and prevention
| Criterion | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Calais | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Boulogne-sur-Mer+16 | 25 | 9 | More declarations: Boulogne-sur-Mer+16 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Boulogne-sur-Mer+1 | 2 | 1 | More plans: Boulogne-sur-Mer+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Calais | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Calais4.0 times as high | 8.42 | 33.5 | Larger: Calais4.0 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Boulogne-sur-Mer+46 m | 51 m | 5 m | Higher: Boulogne-sur-Mer+46 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Pas-de-Calais (62) | Pas-de-Calais (62) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération du Boulonnais | Communauté d'agglomération Grand Calais Terres et Mers | |
| Urban unit | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Calais | |
| Functional area | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Calais |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Boulogne-sur-Mer vs Calais at a glance
| Criterion | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Calais |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 40,924 | 68,246 |
| Change over 10 years | −4.7% | −6.8% |
| Density per km² | 4,860 | 2,037 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,613 | 1,947 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,610 | 1,519 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.5 | 11.6 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 57.59% | 48.75% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 19,800 | 20,270 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 21.6% | 22.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 100% | 100% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.7 | 3.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 8.0 | 3.2 |
| Average temperature | 11.2°C | 11.0°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,710 | — |
| Area km² | 8.42 | 33.5 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Boulogne-sur-Mer vs Calais: your questions
Which is the larger city, Boulogne-sur-Mer or Calais?
By population, Calais: 68,246 inhabitants versus 40,924 for Boulogne-sur-Mer (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Calais is the 77th largest city in France, Boulogne-sur-Mer the 198th. By area, Calais is also the larger (33.5 km²).
How far is Boulogne-sur-Mer from Calais?
Boulogne-sur-Mer and Calais are 31 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 Boulogne-sur-Mer or Calais?
To buy an apartment, Calais is more expensive: €1,947 per m² (median price), versus €1,613 in Boulogne-sur-Mer (+21%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Boulogne-sur-Mer or Calais?
In Calais, half of the residents have a standard of living above €20,270 a year, versus €19,800 in Boulogne-sur-Mer (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Boulogne-sur-Mer and Calais 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