2026 comparison
Châlons-en-Champagne vs Épernay: 2026 comparison
Châlons-en-Champagne has more inhabitants than Épernay: 43,914 versus 22,628, or 94% more. Châlons-en-Champagne is both larger (26.1 km² versus 22.7 km²) and more densely populated (1,686 inhabitants per km² versus 997).
The median apartment price is higher in Épernay: €1,762 per m² versus €1,395. The median standard of living is higher in Épernay (€23,270 a year versus €22,530).
The two cities are 34 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Châlons-en-Champagne
City in Marne
- Population
- 43,914 inhab.
- 175th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 26.1 km²
- Density
- 1,686 per km²
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Épernay
City in Marne
- Population
- 22,628 inhab.
- 411th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 22.7 km²
- Density
- 997 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Châlons-en-ChampagneÉpernay
| Criterion | Châlons-en-Champagne | Épernay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Châlons-en-Champagne+94% | 43,914 | 22,628 | More populous: Châlons-en-Champagne+94% |
| Change over 5 yearsSmaller decline: Épernay+2.2 pts | −2.9% | −0.7% | Smaller decline: Épernay+2.2 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsSmaller decline: Châlons-en-Champagne+1.0 pt | −4.3% | −5.3% | Smaller decline: Châlons-en-Champagne+1.0 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Châlons-en-Champagne+69% | 1,686 | 997 | Denser: Châlons-en-Champagne+69% |
| Under 15More young people: Châlons-en-Champagne+1.1 pt | 16.0% | 15.0% | More young people: Châlons-en-Champagne+1.1 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Épernay+2.0 pt | 21.1% | 23.1% | More seniors: Épernay+2.0 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Épernay+0.01 | 1.87 | 1.88 | Larger households: Épernay+0.01 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Châlons-en-Champagne | Épernay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Épernay+26% | 1,395 | 1,762 | More expensive: Épernay+26% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Épernay+20% | 1,767 | 2,128 | More expensive: Épernay+20% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Épernay+2% | 11.1 | 11.4 | More expensive: Épernay+2% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Châlons-en-Champagne+5% | 10.2 | 9.7 | More expensive: Châlons-en-Champagne+5% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Épernay+5.0 pts | 36.7% | 41.7% | More homeowners: Épernay+5.0 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Épernay+2.7 pts | 30.8% | 33.5% | More houses: Épernay+2.7 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | 51.0% | — | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Épernay+2.8 pts | 2.5% | 5.3% | More second homes: Épernay+2.8 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Épernay+2.4 pts | 7.4% | 9.8% | More vacant homes: Épernay+2.4 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Épernay+6.1 pts | 44.04% | 50.09% | Higher rate: Épernay+6.1 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 | Châlons-en-Champagne | Épernay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Épernay+3% | 22,530 | 23,270 | Higher: Épernay+3% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Châlons-en-Champagne+3.4 pts | 24.5% | 21.1% | Higher: Châlons-en-Champagne+3.4 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Épernay+10% | €24,283 | €26,746 | Higher: Épernay+10% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Épernay+2.4 pts | 41% | 43% | More taxpaying households: Épernay+2.4 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Épernay+3.8 pts | 72.5% | 76.2% | Higher: Épernay+3.8 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Épernay+0.8 pt | 14.7% | 15.5% | Higher: Épernay+0.8 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Châlons-en-Champagne | Épernay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Benoist Apparu | Christine Mazy | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Épernay+0.3 pt | 98% | 99% | Better covered: Épernay+0.3 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Châlons-en-Champagne | Épernay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Épernay+43% | 62.2273 in total | 88.8201 in total | More shops per capita: Épernay+43% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Épernay+52% | 19.887 in total | 30.168 in total | More per capita: Épernay+52% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Épernay+48% | 25.0110 in total | 37.184 in total | More per capita: Épernay+48% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Épernay+37% | 26.9118 in total | 36.783 in total | More per capita: Épernay+37% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Châlons-en-Champagne+3% | 3.616 in total | 3.58 in total | More per capita: Châlons-en-Champagne+3% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Épernay+75% | 2.310 in total | 4.09 in total | More per capita: Épernay+75% |
| 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 | Châlons-en-Champagne | Épernay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Épernay+3% | 4.0 | 4.2 | Better access: Épernay+3% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Châlons-en-Champagne+7% | 6.127 in total | 5.713 in total | More per capita: Châlons-en-Champagne+7% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Épernay2.5 times as high | 19.184 in total | 48.2109 in total | More per capita: Épernay2.5 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Châlons-en-Champagne+13% | 7.533 in total | 6.615 in total | More per capita: Châlons-en-Champagne+13% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Épernay+46% | 3.616 in total | 5.312 in total | More per capita: Épernay+46% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Épernay+2 | 7 | 9 | More facilities: Épernay+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 | Châlons-en-Champagne | Épernay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Châlons-en-Champagne+6 | 23 | 17 | More schools: Châlons-en-Champagne+6 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Épernay+1 | 5 | 6 | More middle schools: Épernay+1 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Châlons-en-Champagne+3 | 7 | 4 | More high schools: Châlons-en-Champagne+3 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Châlons-en-Champagne+9 | 10 | 1 | More facilities: Châlons-en-Champagne+9 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Châlons-en-Champagne | Épernay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+9% | 4.6 | 4.2 | Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+9% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+17% | 10.4 | 8.8 | Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+17% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+15% | 7.1 | 6.1 | Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+15% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+31% | 2.3 | 1.8 | Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+31% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+53% | 16.0 | 10.4 | Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+53% |
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 | Châlons-en-Champagne | Épernay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Épernay+0.2 °C | 11.2°C | 11.4°C | Warmer: Épernay+0.2 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Épernay+6% | 632 | 669 | Wetter: Épernay+6% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Épernay+2 days/year | 115 | 116 | More rainy days: Épernay+2 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Châlons-en-Champagne+10 days/year | 54 | 45 | More frost days: Châlons-en-Champagne+10 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Châlons-en-Champagne+3 days/year | 14 | 11 | More hot days: Châlons-en-Champagne+3 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 | Châlons-en-Champagne | Épernay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Épernay+5 | 5 | 10 | More declarations: Épernay+5 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 2 | 2 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Châlons-en-Champagne | Épernay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Châlons-en-Champagne+15% | 26.1 | 22.7 | Larger: Châlons-en-Champagne+15% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Châlons-en-Champagne+4 m | 84 m | 79 m | Higher: Châlons-en-Champagne+4 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Marne (51) | Marne (51) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération de Châlons-en-Champagne | Communauté d'agglomération Épernay, Coteaux et Plaine de Champagne | |
| Urban unit | Châlons-en-Champagne | Épernay | |
| Functional area | Châlons-en-Champagne | Épernay |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Châlons-en-Champagne vs Épernay at a glance
| Criterion | Châlons-en-Champagne | Épernay |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 43,914 | 22,628 |
| Change over 10 years | −4.3% | −5.3% |
| Density per km² | 1,686 | 997 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,395 | 1,762 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,767 | 2,128 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.1 | 11.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 44.04% | 50.09% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,530 | 23,270 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 14.7% | 15.5% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 99% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.0 | 4.2 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.6 | 4.2 |
| Average temperature | 11.2°C | 11.4°C |
| Area km² | 26.1 | 22.7 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Châlons-en-Champagne vs Épernay: your questions
Which is the larger city, Châlons-en-Champagne or Épernay?
By population, Châlons-en-Champagne: 43,914 inhabitants versus 22,628 for Épernay (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Châlons-en-Champagne is the 175th largest city in France, Épernay the 411th. By area, Châlons-en-Champagne is also the larger (26.1 km²).
How far is Châlons-en-Champagne from Épernay?
Châlons-en-Champagne and Épernay are 34 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Marne).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Châlons-en-Champagne or Épernay?
To buy an apartment, Épernay is more expensive: €1,762 per m² (median price), versus €1,395 in Châlons-en-Champagne (+26%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Châlons-en-Champagne or Épernay?
In Épernay, half of the residents have a standard of living above €23,270 a year, versus €22,530 in Châlons-en-Champagne (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Châlons-en-Champagne and Épernay in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Marne (51), in the Grand Est region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures