2026 comparison
Châlons-en-Champagne vs Laon: 2026 comparison
Châlons-en-Champagne has more inhabitants than Laon: 43,914 versus 24,809, or 77% more. Laon covers a larger area (42.0 km² versus 26.1 km²), but Châlons-en-Champagne is more densely populated: 1,686 inhabitants per km² versus 591.
The median apartment price is higher in Châlons-en-Champagne: €1,395 per m² versus €1,107. The median standard of living is higher in Châlons-en-Champagne (€22,530 a year versus €19,870).
The two cities are 87 km apart as the crow flies.
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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Laon
City in Aisne
- Population
- 24,809 inhab.
- 373rd in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 42.0 km²
- Density
- 591 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Châlons-en-ChampagneLaon
| Criterion | Châlons-en-Champagne | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Châlons-en-Champagne+77% | 43,914 | 24,809 | More populous: Châlons-en-Champagne+77% |
| Change over 5 yearsSmaller decline: Laon+0.9 pt | −2.9% | −2.0% | Smaller decline: Laon+0.9 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsSmaller decline: Laon+0.3 pt | −4.3% | −4.0% | Smaller decline: Laon+0.3 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Châlons-en-Champagne2.9 times as high | 1,686 | 591 | Denser: Châlons-en-Champagne2.9 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Laon+0.5 pt | 16.0% | 16.6% | More young people: Laon+0.5 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Châlons-en-Champagne+0.6 pt | 21.1% | 20.5% | More seniors: Châlons-en-Champagne+0.6 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Laon+0.07 | 1.87 | 1.94 | Larger households: Laon+0.07 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Châlons-en-Champagne | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Châlons-en-Champagne+26% | 1,395 | 1,107 | More expensive: Châlons-en-Champagne+26% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Châlons-en-Champagne+40% | 1,767 | 1,261 | More expensive: Châlons-en-Champagne+40% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Châlons-en-Champagne+7% | 11.1 | 10.3 | More expensive: Châlons-en-Champagne+7% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Châlons-en-Champagne+25% | 10.2 | 8.2 | More expensive: Châlons-en-Champagne+25% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Châlons-en-Champagne+3.3 pts | 36.7% | 33.4% | More homeowners: Châlons-en-Champagne+3.3 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Laon+11 pts | 30.8% | 41.5% | More houses: Laon+11 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | 51.0% | — | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Châlons-en-Champagne+0.7 pt | 2.5% | 1.8% | More second homes: Châlons-en-Champagne+0.7 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Laon+3.8 pts | 7.4% | 11.2% | More vacant homes: Laon+3.8 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Laon+22 pts | 44.04% | 65.56% | Higher rate: Laon+22 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 | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Châlons-en-Champagne+13% | 22,530 | 19,870 | Higher: Châlons-en-Champagne+13% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Laon+7.4 pts | 24.5% | 31.9% | Higher: Laon+7.4 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Châlons-en-Champagne+18% | €24,283 | €20,647 | Higher: Châlons-en-Champagne+18% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Châlons-en-Champagne+7.8 pts | 41% | 33% | More taxpaying households: Châlons-en-Champagne+7.8 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Châlons-en-Champagne+6.2 pts | 72.5% | 66.3% | Higher: Châlons-en-Champagne+6.2 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Laon+6.7 pts | 14.7% | 21.4% | Higher: Laon+6.7 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Châlons-en-Champagne | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Benoist Apparu | Eric Delhaye | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous centre | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Châlons-en-Champagne+1.4 pt | 98% | 97% | Better covered: Châlons-en-Champagne+1.4 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 | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Laon+26% | 62.2273 in total | 78.6195 in total | More shops per capita: Laon+26% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laon+14% | 19.887 in total | 22.656 in total | More per capita: Laon+14% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laon+37% | 25.0110 in total | 34.385 in total | More per capita: Laon+37% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laon+16% | 26.9118 in total | 31.077 in total | More per capita: Laon+16% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laon+33% | 3.616 in total | 4.812 in total | More per capita: Laon+33% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laon+42% | 2.310 in total | 3.28 in total | More per capita: Laon+42% |
| 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 | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Châlons-en-Champagne+27% | 4.0 | 3.2 | Better access: Châlons-en-Champagne+27% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laon+44% | 6.127 in total | 8.922 in total | More per capita: Laon+44% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laon+79% | 19.184 in total | 34.385 in total | More per capita: Laon+79% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laon+7% | 7.533 in total | 8.120 in total | More per capita: Laon+7% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 3.616 in total | 3.69 in total | Tie |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Châlons-en-Champagne+2 | 7 | 5 | More facilities: Châlons-en-Champagne+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 | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Châlons-en-Champagne+6 | 23 | 17 | More schools: Châlons-en-Champagne+6 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Laon+1 | 5 | 6 | More middle schools: Laon+1 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Châlons-en-Champagne+2 | 7 | 5 | More high schools: Châlons-en-Champagne+2 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Châlons-en-Champagne+4 | 10 | 6 | More facilities: Châlons-en-Champagne+4 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Châlons-en-Champagne | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Laon+33% | 4.6 | 6.1 | Higher rate: Laon+33% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Laon+4% | 10.4 | 10.8 | Higher rate: Laon+4% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+8% | 7.1 | 6.5 | Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+8% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Laon+27% | 2.3 | 2.9 | Higher rate: Laon+27% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+18% | 16.0 | 13.5 | Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+18% |
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 | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Châlons-en-Champagne+0.2 °C | 11.2°C | 11.0°C | Warmer: Châlons-en-Champagne+0.2 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Laon+8% | 632 | 686 | Wetter: Laon+8% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Laon+5 days/year | 115 | 120 | More rainy days: Laon+5 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Châlons-en-Champagne+4 days/year | 54 | 51 | More frost days: Châlons-en-Champagne+4 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Châlons-en-Champagne+4 days/year | 14 | 10 | More hot days: Châlons-en-Champagne+4 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 | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Laon+14 | 5 | 19 | More declarations: Laon+14 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Châlons-en-Champagne+1 | 2 | 1 | More plans: Châlons-en-Champagne+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Châlons-en-Champagne | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Laon+61% | 26.1 | 42.0 | Larger: Laon+61% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Laon+80 m | 84 m | 164 m | Higher: Laon+80 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| Department | Marne (51) | Aisne (02) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération de Châlons-en-Champagne | Communauté d'agglomération du Pays de Laon | |
| Urban unit | Châlons-en-Champagne | Laon | |
| Functional area | Châlons-en-Champagne | Laon |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Châlons-en-Champagne vs Laon at a glance
| Criterion | Châlons-en-Champagne | Laon |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 43,914 | 24,809 |
| Change over 10 years | −4.3% | −4.0% |
| Density per km² | 1,686 | 591 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,395 | 1,107 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,767 | 1,261 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.1 | 10.3 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 44.04% | 65.56% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,530 | 19,870 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 14.7% | 21.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.0 | 3.2 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.6 | 6.1 |
| Average temperature | 11.2°C | 11.0°C |
| Area km² | 26.1 | 42.0 |
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FAQ
Châlons-en-Champagne vs Laon: your questions
Which is the larger city, Châlons-en-Champagne or Laon?
By population, Châlons-en-Champagne: 43,914 inhabitants versus 24,809 for Laon (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Châlons-en-Champagne is the 175th largest city in France, Laon the 373rd. By area, Laon is the larger (42.0 km²).
How far is Châlons-en-Champagne from Laon?
Châlons-en-Champagne and Laon are 87 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Châlons-en-Champagne or Laon?
To buy an apartment, Châlons-en-Champagne is more expensive: €1,395 per m² (median price), versus €1,107 in Laon (+26%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Châlons-en-Champagne or Laon?
In Châlons-en-Champagne, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,530 a year, versus €19,870 in Laon (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Châlons-en-Champagne and Laon in the same department?
No: Châlons-en-Champagne is in Marne (51), in the Grand Est region, and Laon in Aisne (02), in the Hauts-de-France region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures