2026 comparison
Chalon-sur-Saône vs Dijon: 2026 comparison
Dijon has more inhabitants than Chalon-sur-Saône: 164,963 versus 46,481, or 3.5 times as many. Dijon is both larger (40.4 km² versus 15.2 km²) and more densely populated (4,082 inhabitants per km² versus 3,054).
The median apartment price is higher in Dijon: €2,714 per m² versus €1,341. The median standard of living is higher in Dijon (€25,140 a year versus €21,780).
The two cities are 62 km apart as the crow flies.
© 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
Dijon
City in Côte-d'Or
FCôte-d'Or21Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
- Population
- 164,963 inhab.
- 16th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 40.4 km²
- Density
- 4,082 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Chalon-sur-SaôneDijon
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dijon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Dijon3.5 times as high | 46,481 | 164,963 | More populous: Dijon3.5 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Dijon+2.5 pts | +0.7% | +3.2% | Stronger growth: Dijon+2.5 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Dijon+5.9 pts | −0.1% | +5.8% | Stronger growth: Dijon+5.9 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Dijon+34% | 3,054 | 4,082 | Denser: Dijon+34% |
| Under 15More young people: Chalon-sur-Saône+3.4 pts | 16.2% | 12.7% | More young people: Chalon-sur-Saône+3.4 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Chalon-sur-Saône+5.2 pts | 23.2% | 17.9% | More seniors: Chalon-sur-Saône+5.2 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.07 | 1.80 | 1.73 | Larger households: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.07 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dijon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Dijon2.0 times as high | 1,341 | 2,714 | More expensive: Dijon2.0 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Dijon+69% | 1,948 | 3,283 | More expensive: Dijon+69% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Dijon+18% | 11.4 | 13.3 | More expensive: Dijon+18% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Dijon+29% | 10.1 | 13.1 | More expensive: Dijon+29% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Dijon+1.3 pt | 37.6% | 38.9% | More homeowners: Dijon+1.3 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Dijon+1.5 pt | 12.3% | 13.8% | More houses: Dijon+1.5 pt |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Chalon-sur-Saône+15 pts | 37.4% | 22.1% | More social housing: Chalon-sur-Saône+15 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Dijon+0.2 pt | 4.0% | 4.1% | More second homes: Dijon+0.2 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.7 pt | 8.1% | 7.3% | More vacant homes: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.7 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Dijon+2.7 pts | 49.34% | 52.05% | Higher rate: Dijon+2.7 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 | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dijon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Dijon+15% | 21,780 | 25,140 | Higher: Dijon+15% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Chalon-sur-Saône+6.2 pts | 25.4% | 19.2% | Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+6.2 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Dijon+24% | €24,034 | €29,796 | Higher: Dijon+24% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Dijon+9.8 pts | 41% | 50% | More taxpaying households: Dijon+9.8 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+4.3 pts | 75.4% | 71.1% | Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+4.3 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+3.4 pts | 16.2% | 12.9% | Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+3.4 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dijon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Gilles Platret | Nathalie Koenders | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | Socialist Party | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.7 pt | 99% | 97% | Better covered: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.7 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dijon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+61% | 95.3443 in total | 59.1975 in total | More shops per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+61% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+28% | 23.7110 in total | 18.5306 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+28% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+31% | 50.8236 in total | 38.9641 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+31% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+47% | 28.2131 in total | 19.2317 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+47% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+25% | 2.612 in total | 2.134 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+25% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+13% | 3.014 in total | 2.744 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+13% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Dijon+1 | 1 | 2 | More stations: Dijon+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dijon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Dijon+23% | 3.7 | 4.5 | Better access: Dijon+23% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dijon+79% | 6.229 in total | 11.2184 in total | More per capita: Dijon+79% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dijon+22% | 43.2201 in total | 52.9873 in total | More per capita: Dijon+22% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+15% | 9.544 in total | 8.2136 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+15% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+25% | 3.918 in total | 3.151 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+25% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Dijon+11 | 12 | 23 | More facilities: Dijon+11 |
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 | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dijon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Dijon+60 | 28 | 88 | More schools: Dijon+60 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Dijon+16 | 7 | 23 | More middle schools: Dijon+16 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Dijon+5 | 9 | 14 | More high schools: Dijon+5 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Dijon+41 | 11 | 52 | More facilities: Dijon+41 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dijon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Dijon+6% | 4.0 | 4.2 | Higher rate: Dijon+6% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Dijon+27% | 11.0 | 14.0 | Higher rate: Dijon+27% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Dijon+10% | 3.9 | 4.2 | Higher rate: Dijon+10% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+65% | 1.7 | 1.1 | Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+65% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+2% | 10.6 | 10.4 | Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+2% |
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 | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dijon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.8 °C | 12.3°C | 11.5°C | Warmer: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.8 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,890 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Chalon-sur-Saône+6% | 818 | 772 | Wetter: Chalon-sur-Saône+6% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Dijon+9 days/year | 110 | 119 | More rainy days: Dijon+9 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Dijon+9 days/year | 58 | 66 | More frost days: Dijon+9 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Chalon-sur-Saône+13 days/year | 36 | 23 | More hot days: Chalon-sur-Saône+13 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 | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dijon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Chalon-sur-Saône+1 | 12 | 11 | More declarations: Chalon-sur-Saône+1 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dijon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Dijon2.7 times as high | 15.2 | 40.4 | Larger: Dijon2.7 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Dijon+67 m | 178 m | 245 m | Higher: Dijon+67 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Large urban centre | |
| Department | Saône-et-Loire (71) | Côte-d'Or (21) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Le Grand Chalon | Dijon Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dijon | |
| Functional area | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dijon |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Chalon-sur-Saône vs Dijon at a glance
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dijon |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 46,481 | 164,963 |
| Change over 10 years | −0.1% | +5.8% |
| Density per km² | 3,054 | 4,082 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,341 | 2,714 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,948 | 3,283 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.4 | 13.3 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 49.34% | 52.05% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 21,780 | 25,140 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 16.2% | 12.9% |
| Premises with fiber | 99% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.7 | 4.5 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.0 | 4.2 |
| Average temperature | 12.3°C | 11.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,890 |
| Area km² | 15.2 | 40.4 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Chalon-sur-Saône vs Dijon: your questions
Which is the larger city, Chalon-sur-Saône or Dijon?
By population, Dijon: 164,963 inhabitants versus 46,481 for Chalon-sur-Saône (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Dijon is the 16th largest city in France, Chalon-sur-Saône the 156th. By area, Dijon is also the larger (40.4 km²).
How far is Chalon-sur-Saône from Dijon?
Chalon-sur-Saône and Dijon are 62 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Chalon-sur-Saône or Dijon?
To buy an apartment, Dijon is more expensive: €2,714 per m² (median price), versus €1,341 in Chalon-sur-Saône (+102%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Chalon-sur-Saône or Dijon?
In Dijon, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,140 a year, versus €21,780 in Chalon-sur-Saône (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Chalon-sur-Saône and Dijon in the same department?
No: Chalon-sur-Saône is in Saône-et-Loire (71), and Dijon in Côte-d'Or (21), both in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures