2026 comparison
Châlons-en-Champagne vs Soissons: 2026 comparison
Châlons-en-Champagne has more inhabitants than Soissons: 43,914 versus 28,664, or 53% more. Châlons-en-Champagne covers a larger area (26.1 km² versus 12.3 km²), but Soissons is more densely populated: 2,327 inhabitants per km² versus 1,686.
The median apartment price is higher in Soissons: €1,591 per m² versus €1,395. The median standard of living is higher in Châlons-en-Champagne (€22,530 a year versus €19,970).
The two cities are 89 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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Soissons
City in Aisne
- Population
- 28,664 inhab.
- 311th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 12.3 km²
- Density
- 2,327 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Châlons-en-ChampagneSoissons
| Criterion | Châlons-en-Champagne | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Châlons-en-Champagne+53% | 43,914 | 28,664 | More populous: Châlons-en-Champagne+53% |
| Change over 5 yearsSmaller decline: Soissons+1.2 pt | −2.9% | −1.7% | Smaller decline: Soissons+1.2 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsSmaller decline: Soissons+2.8 pts | −4.3% | −1.5% | Smaller decline: Soissons+2.8 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Soissons+38% | 1,686 | 2,327 | Denser: Soissons+38% |
| Under 15More young people: Soissons+1.8 pt | 16.0% | 17.8% | More young people: Soissons+1.8 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Soissons+2.2 pts | 21.1% | 23.3% | More seniors: Soissons+2.2 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Soissons+0.11 | 1.87 | 1.98 | Larger households: Soissons+0.11 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Châlons-en-Champagne | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Soissons+14% | 1,395 | 1,591 | More expensive: Soissons+14% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Soissons+5% | 1,767 | 1,854 | More expensive: Soissons+5% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Soissons+3% | 11.1 | 11.4 | More expensive: Soissons+3% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Châlons-en-Champagne+5% | 10.2 | 9.8 | More expensive: Châlons-en-Champagne+5% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Châlons-en-Champagne+4.5 pts | 36.7% | 32.2% | More homeowners: Châlons-en-Champagne+4.5 pts |
| Share of housesTie | 30.8% | 30.8% | Tie |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Châlons-en-Champagne+7.4 pts | 51.0% | 43.6% | More social housing: Châlons-en-Champagne+7.4 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Châlons-en-Champagne+1.3 pt | 2.5% | 1.2% | More second homes: Châlons-en-Champagne+1.3 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Soissons+1.2 pt | 7.4% | 8.5% | More vacant homes: Soissons+1.2 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Soissons+16 pts | 44.04% | 59.79% | Higher rate: Soissons+16 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 | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Châlons-en-Champagne+13% | 22,530 | 19,970 | Higher: Châlons-en-Champagne+13% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Soissons+8.0 pts | 24.5% | 32.5% | Higher: Soissons+8.0 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Châlons-en-Champagne+3% | €24,283 | €23,648 | Higher: Châlons-en-Champagne+3% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Châlons-en-Champagne+6.8 pts | 41% | 34% | More taxpaying households: Châlons-en-Champagne+6.8 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Châlons-en-Champagne+2.0 pt | 72.5% | 70.5% | Higher: Châlons-en-Champagne+2.0 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Soissons+7.0 pts | 14.7% | 21.7% | Higher: Soissons+7.0 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Châlons-en-Champagne | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Benoist Apparu | Alain Crémont | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Châlons-en-Champagne+2.6 pts | 98% | 96% | Better covered: Châlons-en-Champagne+2.6 pts |
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 | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Soissons+34% | 62.2273 in total | 83.0238 in total | More shops per capita: Soissons+34% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Soissons+27% | 19.887 in total | 25.172 in total | More per capita: Soissons+27% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Soissons+6% | 25.0110 in total | 26.576 in total | More per capita: Soissons+6% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Châlons-en-Champagne+20% | 26.9118 in total | 22.364 in total | More per capita: Châlons-en-Champagne+20% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Châlons-en-Champagne+31% | 3.616 in total | 2.88 in total | More per capita: Châlons-en-Champagne+31% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Châlons-en-Champagne+9% | 2.310 in total | 2.16 in total | More per capita: Châlons-en-Champagne+9% |
| 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 | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Châlons-en-Champagne+13% | 4.0 | 3.6 | Better access: Châlons-en-Champagne+13% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Soissons+70% | 6.127 in total | 10.530 in total | More per capita: Soissons+70% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Soissons+28% | 19.184 in total | 24.470 in total | More per capita: Soissons+28% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Soissons+21% | 7.533 in total | 9.126 in total | More per capita: Soissons+21% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Soissons+24% | 3.616 in total | 4.513 in total | More per capita: Soissons+24% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Châlons-en-Champagne+3 | 7 | 4 | More facilities: Châlons-en-Champagne+3 |
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 | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Châlons-en-Champagne+11 | 23 | 12 | More schools: Châlons-en-Champagne+11 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Soissons+1 | 5 | 6 | More middle schools: Soissons+1 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Soissons+2 | 7 | 9 | More high schools: Soissons+2 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Châlons-en-Champagne+8 | 10 | 2 | More facilities: Châlons-en-Champagne+8 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Châlons-en-Champagne | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+10% | 4.6 | 4.2 | Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+10% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+14% | 10.4 | 9.1 | Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+14% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+70% | 7.1 | 4.1 | Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+70% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+85% | 2.3 | 1.2 | Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+85% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+57% | 16.0 | 10.2 | Higher rate: Châlons-en-Champagne+57% |
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 | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Soissons+0.1 °C | 11.2°C | 11.3°C | Warmer: Soissons+0.1 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Soissons+5% | 632 | 663 | Wetter: Soissons+5% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Soissons+5 days/year | 115 | 119 | More rainy days: Soissons+5 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Châlons-en-Champagne+1 days/year | 54 | 53 | More frost days: Châlons-en-Champagne+1 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Châlons-en-Champagne+2 days/year | 14 | 13 | More hot days: Châlons-en-Champagne+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 | Châlons-en-Champagne | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Soissons+6 | 5 | 11 | More declarations: Soissons+6 |
| 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 | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Châlons-en-Champagne2.1 times as high | 26.1 | 12.3 | Larger: Châlons-en-Champagne2.1 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Châlons-en-Champagne+39 m | 84 m | 45 m | Higher: Châlons-en-Champagne+39 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 GrandSoissons Agglomération | |
| Urban unit | Châlons-en-Champagne | Soissons | |
| Functional area | Châlons-en-Champagne | Soissons |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Châlons-en-Champagne vs Soissons at a glance
| Criterion | Châlons-en-Champagne | Soissons |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 43,914 | 28,664 |
| Change over 10 years | −4.3% | −1.5% |
| Density per km² | 1,686 | 2,327 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,395 | 1,591 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,767 | 1,854 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.1 | 11.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 44.04% | 59.79% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,530 | 19,970 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 14.7% | 21.7% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.0 | 3.6 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.6 | 4.2 |
| Average temperature | 11.2°C | 11.3°C |
| Area km² | 26.1 | 12.3 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Châlons-en-Champagne vs Soissons: your questions
Which is the larger city, Châlons-en-Champagne or Soissons?
By population, Châlons-en-Champagne: 43,914 inhabitants versus 28,664 for Soissons (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Châlons-en-Champagne is the 175th largest city in France, Soissons the 311th. By area, Châlons-en-Champagne is also the larger (26.1 km²).
How far is Châlons-en-Champagne from Soissons?
Châlons-en-Champagne and Soissons are 89 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Châlons-en-Champagne or Soissons?
To buy an apartment, Soissons is more expensive: €1,591 per m² (median price), versus €1,395 in Châlons-en-Champagne (+14%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Châlons-en-Champagne or Soissons?
In Châlons-en-Champagne, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,530 a year, versus €19,970 in Soissons (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Châlons-en-Champagne and Soissons in the same department?
No: Châlons-en-Champagne is in Marne (51), in the Grand Est region, and Soissons in Aisne (02), in the Hauts-de-France region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures