2026 comparison
Chalon-sur-Saône vs Villefranche-sur-Saône: 2026 comparison
Chalon-sur-Saône has more inhabitants than Villefranche-sur-Saône: 46,481 versus 36,563, or 27% more. Chalon-sur-Saône covers a larger area (15.2 km² versus 9.5 km²), but Villefranche-sur-Saône is more densely populated: 3,857 inhabitants per km² versus 3,054.
The median apartment price is higher in Villefranche-sur-Saône: €2,533 per m² versus €1,341. The median standard of living is higher in Villefranche-sur-Saône (€22,150 a year versus €21,780).
The two cities are 90 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
Villefranche-sur-Saône
City in Rhône
- Population
- 36,563 inhab.
- 229th in France · 10th in its department
- Area
- 9.5 km²
- Density
- 3,857 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Chalon-sur-SaôneVillefranche-sur-Saône
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Chalon-sur-Saône+27% | 46,481 | 36,563 | More populous: Chalon-sur-Saône+27% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.0 pt | +0.7% | −0.3% | Stronger growth: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.0 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsSmaller decline: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.8 pt | −0.1% | −1.0% | Smaller decline: Chalon-sur-Saône+0.8 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Villefranche-sur-Saône+26% | 3,054 | 3,857 | Denser: Villefranche-sur-Saône+26% |
| Under 15More young people: Villefranche-sur-Saône+1.6 pt | 16.2% | 17.7% | More young people: Villefranche-sur-Saône+1.6 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Chalon-sur-Saône+3.0 pts | 23.2% | 20.2% | More seniors: Chalon-sur-Saône+3.0 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Villefranche-sur-Saône+0.17 | 1.80 | 1.97 | Larger households: Villefranche-sur-Saône+0.17 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Villefranche-sur-Saône+89% | 1,341 | 2,533 | More expensive: Villefranche-sur-Saône+89% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Villefranche-sur-Saône+56% | 1,948 | 3,048 | More expensive: Villefranche-sur-Saône+56% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Villefranche-sur-Saône+14% | 11.4 | 12.9 | More expensive: Villefranche-sur-Saône+14% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Villefranche-sur-Saône+19% | 10.1 | 12.0 | More expensive: Villefranche-sur-Saône+19% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.0 pt | 37.6% | 36.6% | More homeowners: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.0 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Villefranche-sur-Saône+1.5 pt | 12.3% | 13.8% | More houses: Villefranche-sur-Saône+1.5 pt |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.8 pt | 37.4% | 35.6% | More social housing: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.8 pt |
| Second homesMore second homes: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.7 pt | 4.0% | 2.3% | More second homes: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.7 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Villefranche-sur-Saône+2.2 pts | 8.1% | 10.3% | More vacant homes: Villefranche-sur-Saône+2.2 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+17 pts | 49.34% | 32.47% | Higher rate: Chalon-sur-Saône+17 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 | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Villefranche-sur-Saône+2% | 21,780 | 22,150 | Higher: Villefranche-sur-Saône+2% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Villefranche-sur-Saône+0.4 pt | 25.4% | 25.8% | Higher: Villefranche-sur-Saône+0.4 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Villefranche-sur-Saône+4% | €24,034 | €25,020 | Higher: Villefranche-sur-Saône+4% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Villefranche-sur-Saône+2.1 pts | 41% | 43% | More taxpaying households: Villefranche-sur-Saône+2.1 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+2.2 pts | 75.4% | 73.2% | Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+2.2 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.4 pt | 16.2% | 14.8% | Higher: Chalon-sur-Saône+1.4 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Gilles Platret | Thomas Ravier | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberTie | 99% | 99% | Tie |
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 | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Villefranche-sur-Saône+24% | 95.3443 in total | 118.2432 in total | More shops per capita: Villefranche-sur-Saône+24% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Villefranche-sur-Saône+25% | 23.7110 in total | 29.5108 in total | More per capita: Villefranche-sur-Saône+25% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+13% | 50.8236 in total | 45.1165 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+13% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+84% | 28.2131 in total | 15.356 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+84% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+35% | 2.612 in total | 1.97 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+35% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+22% | 3.014 in total | 2.59 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+22% |
| 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 | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Chalon-sur-Saône+2% | 3.7 | 3.6 | Better access: Chalon-sur-Saône+2% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Villefranche-sur-Saône+14% | 6.229 in total | 7.126 in total | More per capita: Villefranche-sur-Saône+14% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône2.8 times as high | 43.2201 in total | 15.657 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône2.8 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+15% | 9.544 in total | 8.230 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+15% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+42% | 3.918 in total | 2.710 in total | More per capita: Chalon-sur-Saône+42% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Chalon-sur-Saône+11 | 12 | 1 | More facilities: Chalon-sur-Saône+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 | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Chalon-sur-Saône+7 | 28 | 21 | More schools: Chalon-sur-Saône+7 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Chalon-sur-Saône+1 | 7 | 6 | More middle schools: Chalon-sur-Saône+1 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Chalon-sur-Saône+1 | 9 | 8 | More high schools: Chalon-sur-Saône+1 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Chalon-sur-Saône+10 | 11 | 1 | More facilities: Chalon-sur-Saône+10 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Villefranche-sur-Saône+71% | 4.0 | 6.8 | Higher rate: Villefranche-sur-Saône+71% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Villefranche-sur-Saône+21% | 11.0 | 13.4 | Higher rate: Villefranche-sur-Saône+21% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Villefranche-sur-Saône+57% | 3.9 | 6.1 | Higher rate: Villefranche-sur-Saône+57% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Villefranche-sur-Saône+42% | 1.7 | 2.5 | Higher rate: Villefranche-sur-Saône+42% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Villefranche-sur-Saône+38% | 10.6 | 14.6 | Higher rate: Villefranche-sur-Saône+38% |
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 | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Villefranche-sur-Saône+0.8 °C | 12.3°C | 13.1°C | Warmer: Villefranche-sur-Saône+0.8 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Chalon-sur-Saône+3% | 818 | 791 | Wetter: Chalon-sur-Saône+3% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Chalon-sur-Saône+3 days/year | 110 | 107 | More rainy days: Chalon-sur-Saône+3 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Chalon-sur-Saône+9 days/year | 58 | 48 | More frost days: Chalon-sur-Saône+9 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Villefranche-sur-Saône+2 days/year | 36 | 38 | More hot days: Villefranche-sur-Saône+2 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 | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Villefranche-sur-Saône+5 | 12 | 17 | More declarations: Villefranche-sur-Saône+5 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Villefranche-sur-Saône+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Villefranche-sur-Saône+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Chalon-sur-Saône+61% | 15.2 | 9.48 | Larger: Chalon-sur-Saône+61% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Villefranche-sur-Saône+5 m | 178 m | 183 m | Higher: Villefranche-sur-Saône+5 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| Department | Saône-et-Loire (71) | Rhône (69) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Le Grand Chalon | Communauté d'agglomération Villefranche Beaujolais Saône | |
| Urban unit | Chalon-sur-Saône | Lyon | |
| Functional area | Chalon-sur-Saône | Lyon |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Chalon-sur-Saône vs Villefranche-sur-Saône at a glance
| Criterion | Chalon-sur-Saône | Villefranche-sur-Saône |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 46,481 | 36,563 |
| Change over 10 years | −0.1% | −1.0% |
| Density per km² | 3,054 | 3,857 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,341 | 2,533 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,948 | 3,048 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.4 | 12.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 49.34% | 32.47% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 21,780 | 22,150 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 16.2% | 14.8% |
| Premises with fiber | 99% | 99% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.7 | 3.6 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.0 | 6.8 |
| Average temperature | 12.3°C | 13.1°C |
| Area km² | 15.2 | 9.48 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Chalon-sur-Saône vs Villefranche-sur-Saône: your questions
Which is the larger city, Chalon-sur-Saône or Villefranche-sur-Saône?
By population, Chalon-sur-Saône: 46,481 inhabitants versus 36,563 for Villefranche-sur-Saône (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Chalon-sur-Saône is the 156th largest city in France, Villefranche-sur-Saône the 229th. By area, Chalon-sur-Saône is also the larger (15.2 km²).
How far is Chalon-sur-Saône from Villefranche-sur-Saône?
Chalon-sur-Saône and Villefranche-sur-Saône are 90 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Chalon-sur-Saône or Villefranche-sur-Saône?
To buy an apartment, Villefranche-sur-Saône is more expensive: €2,533 per m² (median price), versus €1,341 in Chalon-sur-Saône (+89%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Chalon-sur-Saône or Villefranche-sur-Saône?
In Villefranche-sur-Saône, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,150 a year, versus €21,780 in Chalon-sur-Saône (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Chalon-sur-Saône and Villefranche-sur-Saône in the same department?
No: Chalon-sur-Saône is in Saône-et-Loire (71), in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, and Villefranche-sur-Saône in Rhône (69), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures