2026 comparison
Chalon-sur-Saône vs Le Creusot: 2026 comparison
Chalon-sur-Saône has more inhabitants than Le Creusot: 46,481 versus 20,799, or 2.2 times as many. Le Creusot covers a larger area (18.1 km² versus 15.2 km²), but Chalon-sur-Saône is more densely populated: 3,054 inhabitants per km² versus 1,148.
The median apartment price is higher in Chalon-sur-Saône: €1,341 per m² versus €1,018. The median standard of living is higher in Le Creusot (€22,690 a year versus €21,780).
The two cities are 32 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
© 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
Le Creusot
City in Saône-et-Loire
FSaône-et-Loire71Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
- Population
- 20,799 inhab.
- 472nd in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 18.1 km²
- Density
- 1,148 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Chalon-sur-SaôneLe Creusot
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Le Creusot | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Chalon-sur-Saône2.2 times as high | 46,481 | 20,799 | More populous: Chalon-sur-Saône2.2 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Chalon-sur-Saône+5.2 pts | +0.7% | −4.6% | Stronger growth: Chalon-sur-Saône+5.2 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsSmaller decline: Chalon-sur-Saône+7.9 pts | −0.1% | −8.1% | Smaller decline: Chalon-sur-Saône+7.9 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Chalon-sur-Saône2.7 times as high | 3,054 | 1,148 | Denser: Chalon-sur-Saône2.7 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Chalon-sur-Saône+3.5 pts | 16.2% | 12.6% | More young people: Chalon-sur-Saône+3.5 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Le Creusot+6.5 pts | 23.2% | 29.7% | More seniors: Le Creusot+6.5 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.01 | 1.80 | 1.79 | Larger households: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.01 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Le Creusot | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Chalon-sur-Saône+32% | 1,341 | 1,018 | More expensive: Chalon-sur-Saône+32% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Chalon-sur-Saône+55% | 1,948 | 1,258 | More expensive: Chalon-sur-Saône+55% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Chalon-sur-Saône+25% | 11.4 | 9.0 | More expensive: Chalon-sur-Saône+25% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Chalon-sur-Saône+7% | 10.1 | 9.5 | More expensive: Chalon-sur-Saône+7% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Le Creusot+2.1 pts | 37.6% | 39.7% | More homeowners: Le Creusot+2.1 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Le Creusot+26 pts | 12.3% | 38.6% | More houses: Le Creusot+26 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Le Creusot+3.6 pts | 37.4% | 41.0% | More social housing: Le Creusot+3.6 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Chalon-sur-Saône+2.1 pts | 4.0% | 1.9% | More second homes: Chalon-sur-Saône+2.1 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Le Creusot+4.5 pts | 8.1% | 12.6% | More vacant homes: Le Creusot+4.5 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Le Creusot+2.2 pts | 49.34% | 51.58% | Higher rate: Le Creusot+2.2 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 | Le Creusot | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Le Creusot+4% | 21,780 | 22,690 | Higher: Le Creusot+4% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Chalon-sur-Saône+4.4 pts | 25.4% | 21.0% | Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+4.4 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Chalon-sur-Saône+2% | €24,034 | €23,468 | Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+2% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.9 pt | 41% | 40% | More taxpaying households: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.9 pt |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+6.2 pts | 75.4% | 69.2% | Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+6.2 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.2 pt | 16.2% | 16.0% | Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.2 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Le Creusot | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Gilles Platret | Charles Landre | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Chalon-sur-Saône+3.8 pts | 99% | 95% | Better covered: Chalon-sur-Saône+3.8 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 | Le Creusot | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+60% | 95.3443 in total | 59.6124 in total | More shops per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+60% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+26% | 23.7110 in total | 18.839 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+26% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+99% | 50.8236 in total | 25.553 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+99% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+22% | 28.2131 in total | 23.148 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+22% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+7% | 2.612 in total | 2.45 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+7% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône2.1 times as high | 3.014 in total | 1.43 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône2.1 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 | Chalon-sur-Saône | Le Creusot | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Chalon-sur-Saône2.0 times as high | 3.7 | 1.8 | Better access: Chalon-sur-Saône2.0 times as high |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône2.2 times as high | 6.229 in total | 2.96 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône2.2 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône2.3 times as high | 43.2201 in total | 18.839 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône2.3 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+97% | 9.544 in total | 4.810 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+97% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Creusot+12% | 3.918 in total | 4.39 in total | More per capita: Le Creusot+12% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Chalon-sur-Saône+7 | 12 | 5 | More facilities: Chalon-sur-Saône+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 | Chalon-sur-Saône | Le Creusot | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Chalon-sur-Saône+17 | 28 | 11 | More schools: Chalon-sur-Saône+17 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Chalon-sur-Saône+4 | 7 | 3 | More middle schools: Chalon-sur-Saône+4 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Chalon-sur-Saône+7 | 9 | 2 | More high schools: Chalon-sur-Saône+7 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Chalon-sur-Saône+7 | 11 | 4 | More facilities: Chalon-sur-Saône+7 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Le Creusot | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Le Creusot+5% | 4.0 | 4.2 | Higher rate: Le Creusot+5% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+73% | 11.0 | 6.4 | Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+73% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+28% | 3.9 | 3.0 | Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+28% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône2.1 times as high | 1.7 | 0.8 | Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône2.1 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Le Creusot+5% | 10.6 | 11.1 | Higher rate: Le Creusot+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)
Climate
Temperature, sunshine and rain
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Le Creusot | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.2 °C | 12.3°C | 11.1°C | Warmer: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,950 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Le Creusot+19% | 818 | 974 | Wetter: Le Creusot+19% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Le Creusot+23 days/year | 110 | 133 | More rainy days: Le Creusot+23 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Le Creusot+8 days/year | 58 | 65 | More frost days: Le Creusot+8 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Chalon-sur-Saône+17 days/year | 36 | 18 | More hot days: Chalon-sur-Saône+17 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 | Le Creusot | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Le Creusot+1 | 12 | 13 | More declarations: Le Creusot+1 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Chalon-sur-Saône+1 | 1 | 0 | More plans: Chalon-sur-Saône+1 |
| Radon potential | Low | Significant |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Le Creusot | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Le Creusot+19% | 15.2 | 18.1 | Larger: Le Creusot+19% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Le Creusot+183 m | 178 m | 361 m | Higher: Le Creusot+183 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Saône-et-Loire (71) | Saône-et-Loire (71) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Le Grand Chalon | Communauté urbaine Le Creusot Montceau-les-Mines | |
| Urban unit | Chalon-sur-Saône | Le Creusot | |
| Functional area | Chalon-sur-Saône | Le Creusot |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Chalon-sur-Saône vs Le Creusot at a glance
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Le Creusot |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 46,481 | 20,799 |
| Change over 10 years | −0.1% | −8.1% |
| Density per km² | 3,054 | 1,148 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,341 | 1,018 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,948 | 1,258 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.4 | 9.0 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 49.34% | 51.58% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 21,780 | 22,690 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 16.2% | 16.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 99% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.7 | 1.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.0 | 4.2 |
| Average temperature | 12.3°C | 11.1°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,950 |
| Area km² | 15.2 | 18.1 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Chalon-sur-Saône vs Le Creusot: your questions
Which is the larger city, Chalon-sur-Saône or Le Creusot?
By population, Chalon-sur-Saône: 46,481 inhabitants versus 20,799 for Le Creusot (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Chalon-sur-Saône is the 156th largest city in France, Le Creusot the 472nd. By area, Le Creusot is the larger (18.1 km²).
How far is Chalon-sur-Saône from Le Creusot?
Chalon-sur-Saône and Le Creusot are 32 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Saône-et-Loire).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Chalon-sur-Saône or Le Creusot?
To buy an apartment, Chalon-sur-Saône is more expensive: €1,341 per m² (median price), versus €1,018 in Le Creusot (+32%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Chalon-sur-Saône or Le Creusot?
In Le Creusot, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,690 a year, versus €21,780 in Chalon-sur-Saône (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Chalon-sur-Saône and Le Creusot in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Saône-et-Loire (71), in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures