2026 comparison
Charleville-Mézières vs Laon: 2026 comparison
Charleville-Mézières has more inhabitants than Laon: 46,473 versus 24,809, or 87% more. Laon covers a larger area (42.0 km² versus 31.4 km²), but Charleville-Mézières is more densely populated: 1,478 inhabitants per km² versus 591.
The median apartment price is higher in Charleville-Mézières: €1,260 per m² versus €1,107. The median standard of living is higher in Charleville-Mézières (€20,390 a year versus €19,870).
The two cities are 84 km apart as the crow flies.
Charleville-Mézières
City in Ardennes
- Population
- 46,473 inhab.
- 157th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 31.4 km²
- Density
- 1,478 per km²
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
Charleville-MézièresLaon
| Criterion | Charleville-Mézières | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Charleville-Mézières+87% | 46,473 | 24,809 | More populous: Charleville-Mézières+87% |
| Change over 5 yearsSmaller decline: Charleville-Mézières+0.2 pt | −1.8% | −2.0% | Smaller decline: Charleville-Mézières+0.2 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsSmaller decline: Laon+3.0 pts | −7.0% | −4.0% | Smaller decline: Laon+3.0 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Charleville-Mézières2.5 times as high | 1,478 | 591 | Denser: Charleville-Mézières2.5 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Laon+0.4 pt | 16.1% | 16.6% | More young people: Laon+0.4 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Charleville-Mézières+3.0 pts | 23.5% | 20.5% | More seniors: Charleville-Mézières+3.0 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Laon+0.01 | 1.93 | 1.94 | Larger households: Laon+0.01 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Charleville-Mézières | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Charleville-Mézières+14% | 1,260 | 1,107 | More expensive: Charleville-Mézières+14% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Charleville-Mézières+30% | 1,644 | 1,261 | More expensive: Charleville-Mézières+30% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Laon+8% | 9.6 | 10.3 | More expensive: Laon+8% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Charleville-Mézières+8% | 8.8 | 8.2 | More expensive: Charleville-Mézières+8% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Charleville-Mézières+1.8 pt | 35.1% | 33.4% | More homeowners: Charleville-Mézières+1.8 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Laon+8.7 pts | 32.8% | 41.5% | More houses: Laon+8.7 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | 47.6% | — | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Charleville-Mézières+0.5 pt | 2.4% | 1.8% | More second homes: Charleville-Mézières+0.5 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Charleville-Mézières+1.5 pt | 12.6% | 11.2% | More vacant homes: Charleville-Mézières+1.5 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Laon+10 pts | 55.47% | 65.56% | Higher rate: Laon+10 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 | Charleville-Mézières | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Charleville-Mézières+3% | 20,390 | 19,870 | Higher: Charleville-Mézières+3% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Laon+0.3 pt | 31.6% | 31.9% | Higher: Laon+0.3 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Charleville-Mézières+9% | €22,491 | €20,647 | Higher: Charleville-Mézières+9% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Charleville-Mézières+2.6 pts | 36% | 33% | More taxpaying households: Charleville-Mézières+2.6 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Charleville-Mézières+3.1 pts | 69.3% | 66.3% | Higher: Charleville-Mézières+3.1 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Charleville-Mézières+0.6 pt | 22.0% | 21.4% | Higher: Charleville-Mézières+0.6 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Charleville-Mézières | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Boris Ravignon | Eric Delhaye | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous centre | |
| Premises with fiberTie | 97% | 97% | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Charleville-Mézières | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Laon+7% | 73.6342 in total | 78.6195 in total | More shops per capita: Laon+7% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Charleville-Mézières+7% | 24.1112 in total | 22.656 in total | More per capita: Charleville-Mézières+7% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Charleville-Mézières+23% | 42.2196 in total | 34.385 in total | More per capita: Charleville-Mézières+23% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laon+53% | 20.294 in total | 31.077 in total | More per capita: Laon+53% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laon+61% | 3.014 in total | 4.812 in total | More per capita: Laon+61% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laon+36% | 2.411 in total | 3.28 in total | More per capita: Laon+36% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Charleville-Mézières+1 | 2 | 1 | More stations: Charleville-Mézières+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Charleville-Mézières | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Charleville-Mézières+47% | 4.7 | 3.2 | Better access: Charleville-Mézières+47% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laon+8% | 8.238 in total | 8.922 in total | More per capita: Laon+8% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laon+56% | 21.9102 in total | 34.385 in total | More per capita: Laon+56% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laon+10% | 7.334 in total | 8.120 in total | More per capita: Laon+10% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Charleville-Mézières+7% | 3.918 in total | 3.69 in total | More per capita: Charleville-Mézières+7% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Charleville-Mézières+8 | 13 | 5 | More facilities: Charleville-Mézières+8 |
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 | Charleville-Mézières | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Charleville-Mézières+13 | 30 | 17 | More schools: Charleville-Mézières+13 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Charleville-Mézières+5 | 11 | 6 | More middle schools: Charleville-Mézières+5 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Charleville-Mézières+3 | 8 | 5 | More high schools: Charleville-Mézières+3 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Charleville-Mézières+9 | 15 | 6 | More facilities: Charleville-Mézières+9 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Charleville-Mézières | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Charleville-Mézières+10% | 6.7 | 6.1 | Higher rate: Charleville-Mézières+10% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Charleville-Mézières+19% | 12.9 | 10.8 | Higher rate: Charleville-Mézières+19% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Charleville-Mézières+21% | 7.9 | 6.5 | Higher rate: Charleville-Mézières+21% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Laon+73% | 1.7 | 2.9 | Higher rate: Laon+73% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Charleville-Mézières+1% | 13.7 | 13.5 | Higher rate: Charleville-Mézières+1% |
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 | Charleville-Mézières | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Laon+1.1 °C | 9.9°C | 11.0°C | Warmer: Laon+1.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,576 | — | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Charleville-Mézières+35% | 928 | 686 | Wetter: Charleville-Mézières+35% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Charleville-Mézières+13 days/year | 132 | 120 | More rainy days: Charleville-Mézières+13 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Charleville-Mézières+29 days/year | 80 | 51 | More frost days: Charleville-Mézières+29 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Laon+3 days/year | 7 | 10 | More hot days: Laon+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 | Charleville-Mézières | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Charleville-Mézières+1 | 20 | 19 | More declarations: Charleville-Mézières+1 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Charleville-Mézières | Laon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Laon+34% | 31.4 | 42.0 | Larger: Laon+34% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Laon+17 m | 147 m | 164 m | Higher: Laon+17 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| Department | Ardennes (08) | Aisne (02) | |
| Intercommunality | Ardenne Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération du Pays de Laon | |
| Urban unit | Charleville-Mézières | Laon | |
| Functional area | Charleville-Mézières | Laon |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Charleville-Mézières vs Laon at a glance
| Criterion | Charleville-Mézières | Laon |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 46,473 | 24,809 |
| Change over 10 years | −7.0% | −4.0% |
| Density per km² | 1,478 | 591 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,260 | 1,107 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,644 | 1,261 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 9.6 | 10.3 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 55.47% | 65.56% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 20,390 | 19,870 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 22.0% | 21.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.7 | 3.2 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.7 | 6.1 |
| Average temperature | 9.9°C | 11.0°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,576 | — |
| Area km² | 31.4 | 42.0 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
Charleville-Mézières vs Laon: your questions
Which is the larger city, Charleville-Mézières or Laon?
By population, Charleville-Mézières: 46,473 inhabitants versus 24,809 for Laon (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Charleville-Mézières is the 157th largest city in France, Laon the 373rd. By area, Laon is the larger (42.0 km²).
How far is Charleville-Mézières from Laon?
Charleville-Mézières and Laon are 84 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Charleville-Mézières or Laon?
To buy an apartment, Charleville-Mézières is more expensive: €1,260 per m² (median price), versus €1,107 in Laon (+14%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Charleville-Mézières or Laon?
In Charleville-Mézières, half of the residents have a standard of living above €20,390 a year, versus €19,870 in Laon (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Charleville-Mézières and Laon in the same department?
No: Charleville-Mézières is in Ardennes (08), 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