2026 comparison
Istres vs Miramas: 2026 comparison
Istres has more inhabitants than Miramas: 44,953 versus 26,576, or 69% more. Istres covers a larger area (114 km² versus 25.7 km²), but Miramas is more densely populated: 1,032 inhabitants per km² versus 395.
The median apartment price is higher in Istres: €2,826 per m² versus €2,375. The median standard of living is higher in Istres (€25,480 a year versus €22,050).
The two cities are 6.9 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
Miramas
City in Bouches-du-Rhône
FBouches-du-Rhône13Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Population
- 26,576 inhab.
- 346th in France · 11th in its department
- Area
- 25.7 km²
- Density
- 1,032 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
IstresMiramas
| Criterion | Istres | Miramas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Istres+69% | 44,953 | 26,576 | More populous: Istres+69% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Istres+3.8 pts | +2.0% | −1.7% | Stronger growth: Istres+3.8 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Miramas+1.6 pt | +3.2% | +4.8% | Stronger growth: Miramas+1.6 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Miramas2.6 times as high | 395 | 1,032 | Denser: Miramas2.6 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Miramas+2.4 pts | 17.6% | 20.1% | More young people: Miramas+2.4 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Miramas+0.6 pt | 19.9% | 20.5% | More seniors: Miramas+0.6 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Miramas+0.15 | 2.15 | 2.30 | Larger households: Miramas+0.15 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Istres | Miramas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Istres+19% | 2,826 | 2,375 | More expensive: Istres+19% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Istres+6% | 3,316 | 3,119 | More expensive: Istres+6% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Istres+4% | 15.0 | 14.4 | More expensive: Istres+4% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Istres+4% | 13.7 | 13.2 | More expensive: Istres+4% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Istres+2.6 pts | 50.3% | 47.8% | More homeowners: Istres+2.6 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Istres+2.6 pts | 46.7% | 44.1% | More houses: Istres+2.6 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Miramas+12 pts | 30.7% | 42.3% | More social housing: Miramas+12 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Istres+0.8 pt | 1.9% | 1.1% | More second homes: Istres+0.8 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Miramas+2.4 pts | 3.8% | 6.2% | More vacant homes: Miramas+2.4 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Istres+11 pts | 56.76% | 45.82% | Higher rate: Istres+11 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 | Miramas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Istres+16% | 25,480 | 22,050 | Higher: Istres+16% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Miramas+8.8 pts | 16.3% | 25.1% | Higher: Miramas+8.8 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Istres+20% | €29,563 | €24,718 | Higher: Istres+20% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Istres+10 pts | 49% | 39% | More taxpaying households: Istres+10 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Istres+4.0 pts | 76.9% | 72.9% | Higher: Istres+4.0 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Miramas+3.4 pts | 10.7% | 14.1% | Higher: Miramas+3.4 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Istres | Miramas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Robin Prétot | Frédéric Vigouroux | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous left | |
| Premises with fiberTie | 98% | 98% | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Istres | Miramas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Miramas+41% | 54.3244 in total | 76.8204 in total | More shops per capita: Miramas+41% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Miramas+41% | 14.967 in total | 21.156 in total | More per capita: Miramas+41% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Miramas+37% | 27.1122 in total | 37.399 in total | More per capita: Miramas+37% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Istres+44% | 17.478 in total | 12.032 in total | More per capita: Istres+44% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Istres+48% | 2.210 in total | 1.54 in total | More per capita: Istres+48% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Istres4.1 times as high | 1.67 in total | 0.41 in total | More per capita: Istres4.1 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Istres+1 | 2 | 1 | More stations: Istres+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Istres | Miramas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Miramas+3% | 2.8 | 2.9 | Better access: Miramas+3% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Miramas+57% | 6.529 in total | 10.227 in total | More per capita: Miramas+57% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Istres+95% | 14.766 in total | 7.520 in total | More per capita: Istres+95% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Istres+5% | 7.132 in total | 6.818 in total | More per capita: Istres+5% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Miramas+4% | 2.913 in total | 3.08 in total | More per capita: Miramas+4% |
| HospitalsTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
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 | Miramas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Istres+3 | 23 | 20 | More schools: Istres+3 |
| Middle schoolsTie | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| High schoolsTie | 3 | 3 | Tie |
| Higher education institutions and programsTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Istres | Miramas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesTie | 7.8 | 7.8 | Tie |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Miramas+31% | 5.4 | 7.1 | Higher rate: Miramas+31% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Istres+36% | 4.1 | 3.0 | Higher rate: Istres+36% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Istres+9% | 2.1 | 1.9 | Higher rate: Istres+9% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Istres+2% | 9.0 | 8.8 | Higher rate: Istres+2% |
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)
Natural hazards
Natural disasters and prevention
| Criterion | Istres | Miramas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Istres+7 | 12 | 5 | More declarations: Istres+7 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Istres+2 | 2 | 0 | More plans: Istres+2 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Istres | Miramas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Istres4.4 times as high | 114 | 25.7 | Larger: Istres4.4 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Miramas+39 m | 10 m | 49 m | Higher: Miramas+39 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| 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 area | Marseille - Aix-en-Provence | Miramas |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Istres vs Miramas at a glance
| Criterion | Istres | Miramas |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 44,953 | 26,576 |
| Change over 10 years | +3.2% | +4.8% |
| Density per km² | 395 | 1,032 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,826 | 2,375 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,316 | 3,119 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 15.0 | 14.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 56.76% | 45.82% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,480 | 22,050 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 10.7% | 14.1% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 2.8 | 2.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 7.8 | 7.8 |
| Average temperature | 15.6°C | 15.6°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,898 | 2,898 |
| Area km² | 114 | 25.7 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Istres vs Miramas: your questions
Which is the larger city, Istres or Miramas?
By population, Istres: 44,953 inhabitants versus 26,576 for Miramas (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Istres is the 165th largest city in France, Miramas the 346th. By area, Istres is also the larger (114 km²).
How far is Istres from Miramas?
Istres and Miramas are 6.9 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 Miramas?
To buy an apartment, Istres is more expensive: €2,826 per m² (median price), versus €2,375 in Miramas (+19%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Istres or Miramas?
In Istres, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,480 a year, versus €22,050 in Miramas (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Istres and Miramas 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