2026 comparison
Chalon-sur-Saône vs Mâcon: 2026 comparison
Chalon-sur-Saône has more inhabitants than Mâcon: 46,481 versus 35,885, or 30% more. Mâcon covers a larger area (27.0 km² versus 15.2 km²), but Chalon-sur-Saône is more densely populated: 3,054 inhabitants per km² versus 1,327.
The median apartment price is higher in Mâcon: €1,573 per m² versus €1,341. The median standard of living is higher in Chalon-sur-Saône (€21,780 a year versus €21,200).
The two cities are 52 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
Mâcon
City in Saône-et-Loire
FSaône-et-Loire71Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
- Population
- 35,885 inhab.
- 237th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 27.0 km²
- Density
- 1,327 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Chalon-sur-SaôneMâcon
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Mâcon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Chalon-sur-Saône+30% | 46,481 | 35,885 | More populous: Chalon-sur-Saône+30% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Mâcon+3.4 pts | +0.7% | +4.0% | Stronger growth: Mâcon+3.4 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Mâcon+5.6 pts | −0.1% | +5.5% | Stronger growth: Mâcon+5.6 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Chalon-sur-Saône2.3 times as high | 3,054 | 1,327 | Denser: Chalon-sur-Saône2.3 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Mâcon+2.4 pts | 16.2% | 18.5% | More young people: Mâcon+2.4 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.5 pt | 23.2% | 21.7% | More seniors: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.5 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Mâcon+0.19 | 1.80 | 1.99 | Larger households: Mâcon+0.19 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Mâcon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Mâcon+17% | 1,341 | 1,573 | More expensive: Mâcon+17% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Mâcon+17% | 1,948 | 2,275 | More expensive: Mâcon+17% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Chalon-sur-Saône+6% | 11.4 | 10.7 | More expensive: Chalon-sur-Saône+6% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Chalon-sur-Saône+10% | 10.1 | 9.2 | More expensive: Chalon-sur-Saône+10% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.6 pt | 37.6% | 36.9% | More homeowners: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.6 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Mâcon+10 pts | 12.3% | 22.3% | More houses: Mâcon+10 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Mâcon+4.4 pts | 37.4% | 41.8% | More social housing: Mâcon+4.4 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.7 pt | 4.0% | 3.3% | More second homes: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.7 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Mâcon+0.1 pt | 8.1% | 8.2% | More vacant homes: Mâcon+0.1 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+2.5 pts | 49.34% | 46.87% | Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+2.5 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 | Mâcon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Chalon-sur-Saône+3% | 21,780 | 21,200 | Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+3% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Mâcon+1.7 pt | 25.4% | 27.1% | Higher: Mâcon+1.7 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Mâcon+2% | €24,034 | €24,607 | Higher: Mâcon+2% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.0 pt | 41% | 40% | More taxpaying households: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.0 pt |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.2 pt | 75.4% | 74.2% | Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.2 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.4 pt | 16.2% | 15.8% | Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.4 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Mâcon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Gilles Platret | Jean-Patrick Courtois | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous centre | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Chalon-sur-Saône+2.0 pt | 99% | 97% | Better covered: Chalon-sur-Saône+2.0 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 | Mâcon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Mâcon+3% | 95.3443 in total | 97.8351 in total | More shops per capita: Mâcon+3% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Mâcon+1% | 23.7110 in total | 24.086 in total | More per capita: Mâcon+1% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.1% | 50.8236 in total | 50.7182 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.1% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+14% | 28.2131 in total | 24.889 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+14% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+3% | 2.612 in total | 2.59 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+3% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Mâcon+30% | 3.014 in total | 3.914 in total | More per capita: Mâcon+30% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Mâcon+1 | 1 | 2 | More stations: Mâcon+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 | Mâcon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityTie | 3.7 | 3.7 | Tie |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+7% | 6.229 in total | 5.921 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+7% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+4% | 43.2201 in total | 41.5149 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+4% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+42% | 9.544 in total | 6.724 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+42% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+7% | 3.918 in total | 3.613 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+7% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Chalon-sur-Saône+2 | 12 | 10 | More facilities: Chalon-sur-Saône+2 |
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 | Mâcon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Chalon-sur-Saône+3 | 28 | 25 | More schools: Chalon-sur-Saône+3 |
| Middle schoolsTie | 7 | 7 | Tie |
| 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+3 | 11 | 8 | More facilities: Chalon-sur-Saône+3 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Mâcon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Mâcon+28% | 4.0 | 5.1 | Higher rate: Mâcon+28% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+8% | 11.0 | 10.3 | Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+8% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Mâcon+18% | 3.9 | 4.5 | Higher rate: Mâcon+18% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Mâcon+17% | 1.7 | 2.0 | Higher rate: Mâcon+17% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Mâcon+12% | 10.6 | 11.9 | Higher rate: Mâcon+12% |
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 | Mâcon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureTie | 12.3°C | 12.3°C | Tie |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,943 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Mâcon+2% | 818 | 834 | Wetter: Mâcon+2% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Mâcon+2 days/year | 110 | 112 | More rainy days: Mâcon+2 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Chalon-sur-Saône+11 days/year | 58 | 47 | More frost days: Chalon-sur-Saône+11 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Chalon-sur-Saône+14 days/year | 36 | 22 | More hot days: Chalon-sur-Saône+14 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 | Mâcon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Mâcon+8 | 12 | 20 | More declarations: Mâcon+8 |
| 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 | Mâcon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Mâcon+78% | 15.2 | 27.0 | Larger: Mâcon+78% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Chalon-sur-Saône+2 m | 178 m | 176 m | Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+2 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 d'agglomération Mâconnais Beaujolais Agglomération | |
| Urban unit | Chalon-sur-Saône | Mâcon | |
| Functional area | Chalon-sur-Saône | Mâcon |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Chalon-sur-Saône vs Mâcon at a glance
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Mâcon |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 46,481 | 35,885 |
| Change over 10 years | −0.1% | +5.5% |
| Density per km² | 3,054 | 1,327 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,341 | 1,573 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,948 | 2,275 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.4 | 10.7 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 49.34% | 46.87% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 21,780 | 21,200 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 16.2% | 15.8% |
| Premises with fiber | 99% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.0 | 5.1 |
| Average temperature | 12.3°C | 12.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,943 |
| Area km² | 15.2 | 27.0 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Chalon-sur-Saône vs Mâcon: your questions
Which is the larger city, Chalon-sur-Saône or Mâcon?
By population, Chalon-sur-Saône: 46,481 inhabitants versus 35,885 for Mâcon (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Chalon-sur-Saône is the 156th largest city in France, Mâcon the 237th. By area, Mâcon is the larger (27.0 km²).
How far is Chalon-sur-Saône from Mâcon?
Chalon-sur-Saône and Mâcon are 52 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 Mâcon?
To buy an apartment, Mâcon is more expensive: €1,573 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 Mâcon?
In Chalon-sur-Saône, half of the residents have a standard of living above €21,780 a year, versus €21,200 in Mâcon (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Chalon-sur-Saône and Mâcon 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