2026 comparison
Istres vs Salon-de-Provence: 2026 comparison
Istres has more inhabitants than Salon-de-Provence: 44,953 versus 44,736, or 0.5% more. Istres covers a larger area (114 km² versus 70.3 km²), but Salon-de-Provence is more densely populated: 636 inhabitants per km² versus 395.
The median apartment price is higher in Istres: €2,826 per m² versus €2,765. The median standard of living is higher in Istres (€25,480 a year versus €25,100).
The two cities are 14 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
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
Salon-de-Provence
City in Bouches-du-Rhône
FBouches-du-Rhône13Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Population
- 44,736 inhab.
- 167th in France · 7th in its department
- Area
- 70.3 km²
- Density
- 636 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
IstresSalon-de-Provence
| Criterion | Istres | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Istres+0.5% | 44,953 | 44,736 | More populous: Istres+0.5% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Istres+4.7 pts | +2.0% | −2.7% | Stronger growth: Istres+4.7 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Istres+3.3 pts | +3.2% | −0.2% | Stronger growth: Istres+3.3 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Salon-de-Provence+61% | 395 | 636 | Denser: Salon-de-Provence+61% |
| Under 15More young people: Istres+0.7 pt | 17.6% | 16.9% | More young people: Istres+0.7 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Salon-de-Provence+0.6 pt | 19.9% | 20.5% | More seniors: Salon-de-Provence+0.6 pt |
| 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 | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Istres+2% | 2,826 | 2,765 | More expensive: Istres+2% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Salon-de-Provence+15% | 3,316 | 3,829 | More expensive: Salon-de-Provence+15% |
| 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: Salon-de-Provence+7% | 13.7 | 14.6 | More expensive: Salon-de-Provence+7% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Istres+1.8 pt | 50.3% | 48.5% | More homeowners: Istres+1.8 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Istres+12 pts | 46.7% | 34.8% | More houses: Istres+12 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Istres+6.4 pts | 30.7% | 24.3% | More social housing: Istres+6.4 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Istres+0.9 pt | 1.9% | 1.0% | More second homes: Istres+0.9 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Salon-de-Provence+7.3 pts | 3.8% | 11.1% | More vacant homes: Salon-de-Provence+7.3 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Istres+7.9 pts | 56.76% | 48.87% | Higher rate: Istres+7.9 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 | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Istres+2% | 25,480 | 25,100 | Higher: Istres+2% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Salon-de-Provence+2.6 pts | 16.3% | 18.9% | Higher: Salon-de-Provence+2.6 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Salon-de-Provence+0.5% | €29,563 | €29,702 | Higher: Salon-de-Provence+0.5% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Istres+2.8 pts | 49% | 46% | More taxpaying households: Istres+2.8 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Istres+0.9 pt | 76.9% | 76.0% | Higher: Istres+0.9 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Salon-de-Provence+1.7 pt | 10.7% | 12.3% | Higher: Salon-de-Provence+1.7 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Istres | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Robin Prétot | Nicolas Isnard | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | Les Républicains | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Istres+1.8 pt | 98% | 96% | Better covered: Istres+1.8 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Istres | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Salon-de-Provence+58% | 54.3244 in total | 85.6383 in total | More shops per capita: Salon-de-Provence+58% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Salon-de-Provence+54% | 14.967 in total | 23.0103 in total | More per capita: Salon-de-Provence+54% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Salon-de-Provence+79% | 27.1122 in total | 48.5217 in total | More per capita: Salon-de-Provence+79% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Istres+14% | 17.478 in total | 15.268 in total | More per capita: Istres+14% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Istres+24% | 2.210 in total | 1.88 in total | More per capita: Istres+24% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Salon-de-Provence2.4 times as high | 1.67 in total | 3.817 in total | More per capita: Salon-de-Provence2.4 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 | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Salon-de-Provence+38% | 2.8 | 3.9 | Better access: Salon-de-Provence+38% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Salon-de-Provence+35% | 6.529 in total | 8.739 in total | More per capita: Salon-de-Provence+35% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Salon-de-Provence+40% | 14.766 in total | 20.692 in total | More per capita: Salon-de-Provence+40% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Salon-de-Provence+48% | 7.132 in total | 10.547 in total | More per capita: Salon-de-Provence+48% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Salon-de-Provence+8% | 2.913 in total | 3.114 in total | More per capita: Salon-de-Provence+8% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Salon-de-Provence+6 | 1 | 7 | More facilities: Salon-de-Provence+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 | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Salon-de-Provence+6 | 23 | 29 | More schools: Salon-de-Provence+6 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Salon-de-Provence+1 | 5 | 6 | More middle schools: Salon-de-Provence+1 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Salon-de-Provence+5 | 3 | 8 | More high schools: Salon-de-Provence+5 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Salon-de-Provence+5 | 1 | 6 | More facilities: Salon-de-Provence+5 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Istres | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Istres+25% | 7.8 | 6.3 | Higher rate: Istres+25% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Salon-de-Provence2.1 times as high | 5.4 | 11.1 | Higher rate: Salon-de-Provence2.1 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Salon-de-Provence+14% | 4.1 | 4.7 | Higher rate: Salon-de-Provence+14% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Istres+4% | 2.1 | 2.0 | Higher rate: Istres+4% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Salon-de-Provence+13% | 9.0 | 10.2 | Higher rate: Salon-de-Provence+13% |
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 | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Istres+0.9 °C | 15.6°C | 14.7°C | Warmer: Istres+0.9 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearTie | 2,898 | 2,898 | Tie |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Salon-de-Provence+4% | 573 | 594 | Wetter: Salon-de-Provence+4% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Salon-de-Provence+2 days/year | 54 | 57 | More rainy days: Salon-de-Provence+2 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Salon-de-Provence+22 days/year | 17 | 38 | More frost days: Salon-de-Provence+22 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Salon-de-Provence+1 days/year | 49 | 50 | More hot days: Salon-de-Provence+1 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 | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Istres+3 | 12 | 9 | More declarations: Istres+3 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Istres+1 | 2 | 1 | More plans: Istres+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Istres | Salon-de-Provence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Istres+62% | 114 | 70.3 | Larger: Istres+62% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Salon-de-Provence+68 m | 10 m | 79 m | Higher: Salon-de-Provence+68 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| 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 unit | Marseille-Aix-en-Provence | Salon-de-Provence | |
| Functional area | Marseille - Aix-en-Provence | Salon-de-Provence |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Istres vs Salon-de-Provence at a glance
| Criterion | Istres | Salon-de-Provence |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 44,953 | 44,736 |
| Change over 10 years | +3.2% | −0.2% |
| Density per km² | 395 | 636 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,826 | 2,765 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,316 | 3,829 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 15.0 | 14.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 56.76% | 48.87% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,480 | 25,100 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 10.7% | 12.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 2.8 | 3.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 7.8 | 6.3 |
| Average temperature | 15.6°C | 14.7°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,898 | 2,898 |
| Area km² | 114 | 70.3 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Istres vs Salon-de-Provence: your questions
Which is the larger city, Istres or Salon-de-Provence?
By population, Istres: 44,953 inhabitants versus 44,736 for Salon-de-Provence (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Istres is the 165th largest city in France, Salon-de-Provence the 167th. By area, Istres is also the larger (114 km²).
How far is Istres from Salon-de-Provence?
Istres and Salon-de-Provence are 14 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 Salon-de-Provence?
To buy an apartment, Istres is more expensive: €2,826 per m² (median price), versus €2,765 in Salon-de-Provence (+2%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Istres or Salon-de-Provence?
In Istres, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,480 a year, versus €25,100 in Salon-de-Provence (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Istres and Salon-de-Provence 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