2026 comparison
Grenoble vs Marseille: 2026 comparison
Marseille has more inhabitants than Grenoble: 892,391 versus 158,303, or 5.6 times as many. Marseille covers a larger area (241 km² versus 18.1 km²), but Grenoble is more densely populated: 8,732 inhabitants per km² versus 3,709.
The median apartment price is higher in Marseille: €3,095 per m² versus €2,595. The median standard of living is higher in Grenoble (€24,270 a year versus €22,860).
The two cities are 213 km apart as the crow flies.
Grenoble
City in Isère
- Population
- 158,303 inhab.
- 19th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 18.1 km²
- Density
- 8,732 per km²
Marseille
City in Bouches-du-Rhône
FBouches-du-Rhône13Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Population
- 892,391 inhab.
- 2nd in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 241 km²
- Density
- 3,709 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
GrenobleMarseille
| Criterion | Grenoble | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Marseille5.6 times as high | 158,303 | 892,391 | More populous: Marseille5.6 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Marseille+3.0 pts | −1.0% | +2.0% | Stronger growth: Marseille+3.0 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Marseille+6.1 pts | −2.5% | +3.6% | Stronger growth: Marseille+6.1 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Grenoble2.4 times as high | 8,732 | 3,709 | Denser: Grenoble2.4 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Marseille+3.0 pts | 14.4% | 17.4% | More young people: Marseille+3.0 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Marseille+4.3 pts | 15.3% | 19.5% | More seniors: Marseille+4.3 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Marseille+0.25 | 1.82 | 2.07 | Larger households: Marseille+0.25 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Grenoble | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Marseille+19% | 2,595 | 3,095 | More expensive: Marseille+19% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Marseille+36% | 3,497 | 4,749 | More expensive: Marseille+36% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Marseille+21% | 13.4 | 16.3 | More expensive: Marseille+21% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Marseille+38% | 12.6 | 17.4 | More expensive: Marseille+38% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Marseille+6.9 pts | 36.1% | 42.9% | More homeowners: Marseille+6.9 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Marseille+12 pts | 2.8% | 14.9% | More houses: Marseille+12 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Grenoble+3.0 pts | 24.9% | 22.0% | More social housing: Grenoble+3.0 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Grenoble+0.7 pt | 4.2% | 3.5% | More second homes: Grenoble+0.7 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Grenoble+5.9 pts | 13.5% | 7.6% | More vacant homes: Grenoble+5.9 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Grenoble+20 pts | 68.00% | 47.87% | Higher rate: Grenoble+20 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 | Grenoble | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Grenoble+6% | 24,270 | 22,860 | Higher: Grenoble+6% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Marseille+4.5 pts | 23.6% | 28.1% | Higher: Marseille+4.5 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Marseille+1% | €27,758 | €28,163 | Higher: Marseille+1% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Grenoble+6.3 pts | 48% | 42% | More taxpaying households: Grenoble+6.3 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Grenoble+3.2 pts | 71.3% | 68.1% | Higher: Grenoble+3.2 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Marseille+0.3 pt | 13.2% | 13.5% | Higher: Marseille+0.3 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Grenoble | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Laurence Ruffin | Benoît Payan | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | union of the left | union of the left | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Grenoble+6.3 pts | 96% | 90% | Better covered: Grenoble+6.3 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Grenoble | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Grenoble+16% | 76.91,218 in total | 66.65,939 in total | More shops per capita: Grenoble+16% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+5% | 27.9442 in total | 26.72,381 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+5% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+35% | 64.61,023 in total | 47.84,267 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+35% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+45% | 14.0221 in total | 9.6860 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+45% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble2.7 times as high | 2.336 in total | 0.875 in total | More per capita: Grenoble2.7 times as high |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+41% | 1.829 in total | 1.3116 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+41% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Marseille+11 | 1 | 12 | More stations: Marseille+11 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Grenoble | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Marseille+31% | 4.0 | 5.2 | Better access: Marseille+31% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+46% | 9.9157 in total | 14.51,290 in total | More per capita: Marseille+46% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+31% | 31.7502 in total | 24.22,157 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+31% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+17% | 8.5134 in total | 9.9887 in total | More per capita: Marseille+17% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+7% | 3.759 in total | 4.0355 in total | More per capita: Marseille+7% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Marseille+62 | 7 | 69 | More facilities: Marseille+62 |
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 | Grenoble | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Marseille+452 | 62 | 514 | More schools: Marseille+452 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Marseille+98 | 18 | 116 | More middle schools: Marseille+98 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Marseille+76 | 18 | 94 | More high schools: Marseille+76 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Marseille+76 | 32 | 108 | More facilities: Marseille+76 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Grenoble | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Marseille+34% | 7.0 | 9.3 | Higher rate: Marseille+34% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble+39% | 26.8 | 19.3 | Higher rate: Grenoble+39% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble+21% | 6.1 | 5.0 | Higher rate: Grenoble+21% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Marseille+85% | 3.5 | 6.5 | Higher rate: Marseille+85% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble+35% | 18.0 | 13.4 | Higher rate: Grenoble+35% |
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 | Grenoble | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Marseille+2.7 °C | 12.6°C | 15.3°C | Warmer: Marseille+2.7 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,898 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Grenoble+60% | 981 | 615 | Wetter: Grenoble+60% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Grenoble+51 days/year | 108 | 57 | More rainy days: Grenoble+51 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Grenoble+59 days/year | 67 | 8 | More frost days: Grenoble+59 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Grenoble+7 days/year | 35 | 28 | More hot days: Grenoble+7 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 | Grenoble | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Marseille+46 | 5 | 51 | More declarations: Marseille+46 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Marseille+3 | 2 | 5 | More plans: Marseille+3 |
| Radon potential | Low | Low, with aggravating factors |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Grenoble | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Marseille13 times as high | 18.1 | 241 | Larger: Marseille13 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Grenoble+211 m | 213 m | 2 m | Higher: Grenoble+211 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Isère (38) | Bouches-du-Rhône (13) | |
| Intercommunality | Grenoble-Alpes-Métropole | Métropole d'Aix-Marseille-Provence | |
| Urban unit | Grenoble | Marseille-Aix-en-Provence | |
| Functional area | Grenoble | Marseille - Aix-en-Provence |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Grenoble vs Marseille at a glance
| Criterion | Grenoble | Marseille |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 158,303 | 892,391 |
| Change over 10 years | −2.5% | +3.6% |
| Density per km² | 8,732 | 3,709 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,595 | 3,095 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,497 | 4,749 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.4 | 16.3 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 68.00% | 47.87% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,270 | 22,860 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 13.2% | 13.5% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 90% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.0 | 5.2 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 7.0 | 9.3 |
| Average temperature | 12.6°C | 15.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,898 |
| Area km² | 18.1 | 241 |
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FAQ
Grenoble vs Marseille: your questions
Which is the larger city, Grenoble or Marseille?
By population, Marseille: 892,391 inhabitants versus 158,303 for Grenoble (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Marseille is the 2nd largest city in France, Grenoble the 19th. By area, Marseille is also the larger (241 km²).
How far is Grenoble from Marseille?
Grenoble and Marseille are 213 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Grenoble or Marseille?
To buy an apartment, Marseille is more expensive: €3,095 per m² (median price), versus €2,595 in Grenoble (+19%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Grenoble or Marseille?
In Grenoble, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,270 a year, versus €22,860 in Marseille (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Grenoble and Marseille in the same department?
No: Grenoble is in Isère (38), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, and Marseille in Bouches-du-Rhône (13), in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures