2026 comparison
Istres vs Martigues: 2026 comparison
Martigues has more inhabitants than Istres: 48,807 versus 44,953, or 8.6% more. Istres covers a larger area (114 km² versus 71.4 km²), but Martigues is more densely populated: 683 inhabitants per km² versus 395.
The median apartment price is higher in Istres: €2,826 per m² versus €2,723. The median standard of living is higher in Istres (€25,480 a year versus €25,120).
The two cities are 20 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department and the same urban unit (Marseille-Aix-en-Provence).
Istres
City in Bouches-du-Rhône
FBouches-du-Rhône13Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Population
- 44,953 inhab.
- 165th in France · 6th in its department
- Area
- 114 km²
- Density
- 395 per km²
© Benjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0
Martigues
City in Bouches-du-Rhône
FBouches-du-Rhône13Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Population
- 48,807 inhab.
- 139th in France · 4th in its department
- Area
- 71.4 km²
- Density
- 683 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
IstresMartigues
| Criterion | Istres | Martigues | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Martigues+9% | 44,953 | 48,807 | More populous: Martigues+9% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Istres+2.3 pts | +2.0% | −0.3% | Stronger growth: Istres+2.3 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Istres+2.3 pts | +3.2% | +0.8% | Stronger growth: Istres+2.3 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Martigues+73% | 395 | 683 | Denser: Martigues+73% |
| Under 15More young people: Istres+0.7 pt | 17.6% | 17.0% | More young people: Istres+0.7 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Martigues+3.2 pts | 19.9% | 23.0% | More seniors: Martigues+3.2 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Istres+0.07 | 2.15 | 2.08 | Larger households: Istres+0.07 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Istres | Martigues | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Istres+4% | 2,826 | 2,723 | More expensive: Istres+4% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Martigues+20% | 3,316 | 3,974 | More expensive: Martigues+20% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Martigues+3% | 15.0 | 15.5 | More expensive: Martigues+3% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Martigues+10% | 13.7 | 15.1 | More expensive: Martigues+10% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Istres+3.5 pts | 50.3% | 46.9% | More homeowners: Istres+3.5 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Istres+9.7 pts | 46.7% | 37.0% | More houses: Istres+9.7 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Martigues+1.1 pt | 30.7% | 31.8% | More social housing: Martigues+1.1 pt |
| Second homesMore second homes: Martigues+4.5 pts | 1.9% | 6.4% | More second homes: Martigues+4.5 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Martigues+3.0 pts | 3.8% | 6.8% | More vacant homes: Martigues+3.0 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Istres+16 pts | 56.76% | 41.01% | Higher rate: Istres+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 | Istres | Martigues | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Istres+1% | 25,480 | 25,120 | Higher: Istres+1% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Martigues+3.8 pts | 16.3% | 20.1% | Higher: Martigues+3.8 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Istres+2% | €29,563 | €29,091 | Higher: Istres+2% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Istres+1.8 pt | 49% | 47% | More taxpaying households: Istres+1.8 pt |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Istres+3.3 pts | 76.9% | 73.6% | Higher: Istres+3.3 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Martigues+1.4 pt | 10.7% | 12.1% | Higher: Martigues+1.4 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Istres | Martigues | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Robin Prétot | Gaby Charroux | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Martigues+0.9 pt | 98% | 99% | Better covered: Martigues+0.9 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Istres | Martigues | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Istres+1% | 54.3244 in total | 53.7262 in total | More shops per capita: Istres+1% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Martigues+43% | 14.967 in total | 21.3104 in total | More per capita: Martigues+43% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Martigues+87% | 27.1122 in total | 50.8248 in total | More per capita: Martigues+87% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Martigues+12% | 17.478 in total | 19.595 in total | More per capita: Martigues+12% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Martigues+20% | 2.210 in total | 2.713 in total | More per capita: Martigues+20% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Martigues+45% | 1.67 in total | 2.311 in total | More per capita: Martigues+45% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Martigues+1 | 2 | 3 | More stations: Martigues+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Istres | Martigues | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Martigues+32% | 2.8 | 3.7 | Better access: Martigues+32% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Martigues+52% | 6.529 in total | 9.848 in total | More per capita: Martigues+52% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Martigues+17% | 14.766 in total | 17.284 in total | More per capita: Martigues+17% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Istres+20% | 7.132 in total | 5.929 in total | More per capita: Istres+20% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Martigues+13% | 2.913 in total | 3.316 in total | More per capita: Martigues+13% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Martigues+6 | 1 | 7 | More facilities: Martigues+6 |
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 | Istres | Martigues | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Martigues+5 | 23 | 28 | More schools: Martigues+5 |
| Middle schoolsTie | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Martigues+3 | 3 | 6 | More high schools: Martigues+3 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Martigues+1 | 1 | 2 | More facilities: Martigues+1 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Istres | Martigues | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Martigues+37% | 7.8 | 10.7 | Higher rate: Martigues+37% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Martigues+64% | 5.4 | 8.9 | Higher rate: Martigues+64% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Istres+17% | 4.1 | 3.5 | Higher rate: Istres+17% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Martigues2.9 times as high | 2.1 | 6.0 | Higher rate: Martigues2.9 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Martigues+22% | 9.0 | 10.9 | Higher rate: Martigues+22% |
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 | Istres | Martigues | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Martigues+0.3 °C | 15.6°C | 15.9°C | Warmer: Martigues+0.3 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearTie | 2,898 | 2,898 | Tie |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Istres+11% | 573 | 517 | Wetter: Istres+11% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Istres+2 days/year | 54 | 52 | More rainy days: Istres+2 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Istres+10 days/year | 17 | 7 | More frost days: Istres+10 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Istres+20 days/year | 49 | 29 | More hot days: Istres+20 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 | Istres | Martigues | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Martigues+15 | 12 | 27 | More declarations: Martigues+15 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Martigues+1 | 2 | 3 | More plans: Martigues+1 |
| Radon potential | Low | Low, with aggravating factors |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Istres | Martigues | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Istres+59% | 114 | 71.4 | Larger: Istres+59% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Istres+9 m | 10 m | 1 m | Higher: Istres+9 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Large urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Bouches-du-Rhône (13) | Bouches-du-Rhône (13) | Same |
| IntercommunalitySame | Métropole d'Aix-Marseille-Provence | Métropole d'Aix-Marseille-Provence | Same |
| Urban unitSame | Marseille-Aix-en-Provence | Marseille-Aix-en-Provence | Same |
| Functional areaSame | Marseille - Aix-en-Provence | Marseille - Aix-en-Provence | Same |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Istres vs Martigues at a glance
| Criterion | Istres | Martigues |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 44,953 | 48,807 |
| Change over 10 years | +3.2% | +0.8% |
| Density per km² | 395 | 683 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,826 | 2,723 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,316 | 3,974 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 15.0 | 15.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 56.76% | 41.01% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,480 | 25,120 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 10.7% | 12.1% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 99% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 2.8 | 3.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 7.8 | 10.7 |
| Average temperature | 15.6°C | 15.9°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,898 | 2,898 |
| Area km² | 114 | 71.4 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Istres vs Martigues: your questions
Which is the larger city, Istres or Martigues?
By population, Martigues: 48,807 inhabitants versus 44,953 for Istres (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Martigues is the 139th largest city in France, Istres the 165th. By area, Istres is the larger (114 km²).
How far is Istres from Martigues?
Istres and Martigues are 20 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Bouches-du-Rhône).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Istres or Martigues?
To buy an apartment, Istres is more expensive: €2,826 per m² (median price), versus €2,723 in Martigues (+4%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Istres or Martigues?
In Istres, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,480 a year, versus €25,120 in Martigues (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Istres and Martigues in the same department?
Yes: both towns are 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