2026 comparison
Chalon-sur-Saône vs Dole: 2026 comparison
Chalon-sur-Saône has more inhabitants than Dole: 46,481 versus 24,654, or 89% more. Dole covers a larger area (38.4 km² versus 15.2 km²), but Chalon-sur-Saône is more densely populated: 3,054 inhabitants per km² versus 642.
The median apartment price is higher in Dole: €1,568 per m² versus €1,341. The median standard of living is higher in Dole (€23,850 a year versus €21,780).
The two cities are 59 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
Dole
City in Jura
FJura39Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
- Population
- 24,654 inhab.
- 375th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 38.4 km²
- Density
- 642 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Chalon-sur-SaôneDole
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dole | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Chalon-sur-Saône+89% | 46,481 | 24,654 | More populous: Chalon-sur-Saône+89% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.4 pt | +0.7% | +0.3% | Stronger growth: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.4 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Dole+2.4 pts | −0.1% | +2.3% | Stronger growth: Dole+2.4 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Chalon-sur-Saône4.8 times as high | 3,054 | 642 | Denser: Chalon-sur-Saône4.8 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.8 pt | 16.2% | 15.3% | More young people: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.8 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Dole+3.9 pts | 23.2% | 27.0% | More seniors: Dole+3.9 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Dole+0.08 | 1.80 | 1.88 | Larger households: Dole+0.08 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dole | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Dole+17% | 1,341 | 1,568 | More expensive: Dole+17% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Dole+1% | 1,948 | 1,972 | More expensive: Dole+1% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Chalon-sur-Saône+5% | 11.4 | 10.8 | More expensive: Chalon-sur-Saône+5% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Dole+14% | 10.1 | 11.5 | More expensive: Dole+14% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Dole+9.3 pts | 37.6% | 46.9% | More homeowners: Dole+9.3 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Dole+25 pts | 12.3% | 37.4% | More houses: Dole+25 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Chalon-sur-Saône+4.5 pts | 37.4% | 32.9% | More social housing: Chalon-sur-Saône+4.5 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Chalon-sur-Saône+2.0 pt | 4.0% | 2.0% | More second homes: Chalon-sur-Saône+2.0 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Dole+0.8 pt | 8.1% | 8.8% | More vacant homes: Dole+0.8 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Dole+2.4 pts | 49.34% | 51.75% | Higher rate: Dole+2.4 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 | Dole | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Dole+10% | 21,780 | 23,850 | Higher: Dole+10% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Chalon-sur-Saône+3.7 pts | 25.4% | 21.7% | Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+3.7 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Dole+11% | €24,034 | €26,679 | Higher: Dole+11% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Dole+2.6 pts | 41% | 43% | More taxpaying households: Dole+2.6 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+3.9 pts | 75.4% | 71.5% | Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+3.9 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+3.3 pts | 16.2% | 12.9% | Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+3.3 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dole | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Gilles Platret | Jean-Baptiste Gagnoux | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | Les Républicains | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Chalon-sur-Saône+5.9 pts | 99% | 93% | Better covered: Chalon-sur-Saône+5.9 pts |
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 | Dole | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+4% | 95.3443 in total | 91.7226 in total | More shops per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+4% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dole+13% | 23.7110 in total | 26.866 in total | More per capita: Dole+13% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+26% | 50.8236 in total | 40.299 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+26% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+2% | 28.2131 in total | 27.668 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+2% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dole+89% | 2.612 in total | 4.912 in total | More per capita: Dole+89% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dole+8% | 3.014 in total | 3.28 in total | More per capita: Dole+8% |
| 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 | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dole | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Dole+32% | 3.7 | 4.9 | Better access: Dole+32% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dole+17% | 6.229 in total | 7.318 in total | More per capita: Dole+17% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dole+100% | 43.2201 in total | 86.4213 in total | More per capita: Dole+100% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+1% | 9.544 in total | 9.323 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+1% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+6% | 3.918 in total | 3.79 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+6% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Chalon-sur-Saône+4 | 12 | 8 | More facilities: Chalon-sur-Saône+4 |
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 | Dole | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Chalon-sur-Saône+13 | 28 | 15 | More schools: Chalon-sur-Saône+13 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Chalon-sur-Saône+1 | 7 | 6 | More middle schools: Chalon-sur-Saône+1 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Chalon-sur-Saône+3 | 9 | 6 | More high schools: Chalon-sur-Saône+3 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Chalon-sur-Saône+8 | 11 | 3 | More facilities: Chalon-sur-Saône+8 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dole | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+10% | 4.0 | 3.6 | Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+10% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+17% | 11.0 | 9.4 | Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+17% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+2% | 3.9 | 3.8 | Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+2% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+65% | 1.7 | 1.0 | Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+65% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+20% | 10.6 | 8.8 | Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+20% |
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 | Dole | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.7 °C | 12.3°C | 11.6°C | Warmer: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.7 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,012 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Dole+25% | 818 | 1,023 | Wetter: Dole+25% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Dole+21 days/year | 110 | 131 | More rainy days: Dole+21 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Dole+13 days/year | 58 | 71 | More frost days: Dole+13 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Chalon-sur-Saône+8 days/year | 36 | 28 | More hot days: Chalon-sur-Saône+8 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 | Dole | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Dole+6 | 12 | 18 | More declarations: Dole+6 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Dole+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Dole+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dole | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Dole2.5 times as high | 15.2 | 38.4 | Larger: Dole2.5 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Dole+46 m | 178 m | 224 m | Higher: Dole+46 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| Department | Saône-et-Loire (71) | Jura (39) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Le Grand Chalon | Communauté d'agglomération du Grand Dole | |
| Urban unit | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dole | |
| Functional area | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dole |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Chalon-sur-Saône vs Dole at a glance
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Dole |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 46,481 | 24,654 |
| Change over 10 years | −0.1% | +2.3% |
| Density per km² | 3,054 | 642 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,341 | 1,568 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,948 | 1,972 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.4 | 10.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 49.34% | 51.75% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 21,780 | 23,850 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 16.2% | 12.9% |
| Premises with fiber | 99% | 93% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.7 | 4.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.0 | 3.6 |
| Average temperature | 12.3°C | 11.6°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,012 |
| Area km² | 15.2 | 38.4 |
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FAQ
Chalon-sur-Saône vs Dole: your questions
Which is the larger city, Chalon-sur-Saône or Dole?
By population, Chalon-sur-Saône: 46,481 inhabitants versus 24,654 for Dole (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Chalon-sur-Saône is the 156th largest city in France, Dole the 375th. By area, Dole is the larger (38.4 km²).
How far is Chalon-sur-Saône from Dole?
Chalon-sur-Saône and Dole are 59 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Chalon-sur-Saône or Dole?
To buy an apartment, Dole is more expensive: €1,568 per m² (median price), versus €1,341 in Chalon-sur-Saône (+17%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Chalon-sur-Saône or Dole?
In Dole, half of the residents have a standard of living above €23,850 a year, versus €21,780 in Chalon-sur-Saône (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Chalon-sur-Saône and Dole in the same department?
No: Chalon-sur-Saône is in Saône-et-Loire (71), and Dole in Jura (39), both in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures