2026 comparison
La Ciotat vs Marseille: 2026 comparison
Marseille has more inhabitants than La Ciotat: 892,391 versus 38,868, or 23 times as many. Marseille is both larger (241 km² versus 31.5 km²) and more densely populated (3,709 inhabitants per km² versus 1,235).
The median apartment price is higher in La Ciotat: €5,053 per m² versus €3,095. The median standard of living is higher in La Ciotat (€26,590 a year versus €22,860).
The two cities are 22 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
© Jeanne Menjoulet from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0
La Ciotat
City in Bouches-du-Rhône
FBouches-du-Rhône13Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Population
- 38,868 inhab.
- 206th in France · 8th in its department
- Area
- 31.5 km²
- Density
- 1,235 per km²
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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
La CiotatMarseille
| Criterion | La Ciotat | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Marseille23 times as high | 38,868 | 892,391 | More populous: Marseille23 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: La Ciotat+7.0 pts | +9.1% | +2.0% | Stronger growth: La Ciotat+7.0 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: La Ciotat+7.4 pts | +11.0% | +3.6% | Stronger growth: La Ciotat+7.4 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Marseille3.0 times as high | 1,235 | 3,709 | Denser: Marseille3.0 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Marseille+3.6 pts | 13.8% | 17.4% | More young people: Marseille+3.6 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: La Ciotat+9.3 pts | 28.8% | 19.5% | More seniors: La Ciotat+9.3 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Marseille+0.12 | 1.95 | 2.07 | Larger households: Marseille+0.12 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | La Ciotat | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: La Ciotat+63% | 5,053 | 3,095 | More expensive: La Ciotat+63% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: La Ciotat+25% | 5,948 | 4,749 | More expensive: La Ciotat+25% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: La Ciotat+9% | 17.7 | 16.3 | More expensive: La Ciotat+9% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: La Ciotat+17% | 20.3 | 17.4 | More expensive: La Ciotat+17% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: La Ciotat+8.1 pts | 51.0% | 42.9% | More homeowners: La Ciotat+8.1 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: La Ciotat+16 pts | 31.0% | 14.9% | More houses: La Ciotat+16 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: La Ciotat+1.1 pt | 23.1% | 22.0% | More social housing: La Ciotat+1.1 pt |
| Second homesMore second homes: La Ciotat+15 pts | 18.0% | 3.5% | More second homes: La Ciotat+15 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Marseille+3.7 pts | 3.9% | 7.6% | More vacant homes: Marseille+3.7 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: La Ciotat+4.3 pts | 52.14% | 47.87% | Higher rate: La Ciotat+4.3 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 | La Ciotat | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: La Ciotat+16% | 26,590 | 22,860 | Higher: La Ciotat+16% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Marseille+12 pts | 16.0% | 28.1% | Higher: Marseille+12 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: La Ciotat+15% | €32,479 | €28,163 | Higher: La Ciotat+15% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: La Ciotat+8.4 pts | 50% | 42% | More taxpaying households: La Ciotat+8.4 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: La Ciotat+6.2 pts | 74.3% | 68.1% | Higher: La Ciotat+6.2 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Marseille+1.8 pt | 11.6% | 13.5% | Higher: Marseille+1.8 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | La Ciotat | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Alexandre Doriol | Benoît Payan | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: La Ciotat+9.5 pts | 99% | 90% | Better covered: La Ciotat+9.5 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | La Ciotat | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: La Ciotat+23% | 81.6317 in total | 66.65,939 in total | More shops per capita: La Ciotat+23% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Ciotat+14% | 30.4118 in total | 26.72,381 in total | More per capita: La Ciotat+14% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Ciotat+43% | 68.4266 in total | 47.84,267 in total | More per capita: La Ciotat+43% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+39% | 6.927 in total | 9.6860 in total | More per capita: Marseille+39% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Ciotat2.8 times as high | 2.39 in total | 0.875 in total | More per capita: La Ciotat2.8 times as high |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Ciotat2.2 times as high | 2.811 in total | 1.3116 in total | More per capita: La Ciotat2.2 times as high |
| 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 | La Ciotat | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Marseille+13% | 4.6 | 5.2 | Better access: Marseille+13% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+20% | 12.147 in total | 14.51,290 in total | More per capita: Marseille+20% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Ciotat+30% | 31.4122 in total | 24.22,157 in total | More per capita: La Ciotat+30% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Ciotat+27% | 12.649 in total | 9.9887 in total | More per capita: La Ciotat+27% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+29% | 3.112 in total | 4.0355 in total | More per capita: Marseille+29% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Marseille+65 | 4 | 69 | More facilities: Marseille+65 |
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 | La Ciotat | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Marseille+491 | 23 | 514 | More schools: Marseille+491 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Marseille+112 | 4 | 116 | More middle schools: Marseille+112 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Marseille+90 | 4 | 94 | More high schools: Marseille+90 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Marseille+107 | 1 | 108 | More facilities: Marseille+107 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | La Ciotat | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Marseille+7% | 8.7 | 9.3 | Higher rate: Marseille+7% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Marseille+38% | 14.0 | 19.3 | Higher rate: Marseille+38% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Marseille+36% | 3.7 | 5.0 | Higher rate: Marseille+36% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Marseille2.3 times as high | 2.8 | 6.5 | Higher rate: Marseille2.3 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Marseille+20% | 11.2 | 13.4 | Higher rate: Marseille+20% |
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 | La Ciotat | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Marseille+40 | 11 | 51 | More declarations: Marseille+40 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Marseille+5 | 0 | 5 | More plans: Marseille+5 |
| Radon potential | Low | Low, with aggravating factors |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | La Ciotat | Marseille | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Marseille7.6 times as high | 31.5 | 241 | Larger: Marseille7.6 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: La Ciotat+3 m | 5 m | 2 m | Higher: La Ciotat+3 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 unit | Toulon | Marseille-Aix-en-Provence | |
| 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
La Ciotat vs Marseille at a glance
| Criterion | La Ciotat | Marseille |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 38,868 | 892,391 |
| Change over 10 years | +11.0% | +3.6% |
| Density per km² | 1,235 | 3,709 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 5,053 | 3,095 |
| Median house price €/m² | 5,948 | 4,749 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 17.7 | 16.3 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 52.14% | 47.87% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 26,590 | 22,860 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.6% | 13.5% |
| Premises with fiber | 99% | 90% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.6 | 5.2 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 8.7 | 9.3 |
| Average temperature | 15.3°C | 15.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,898 |
| Area km² | 31.5 | 241 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
La Ciotat vs Marseille: your questions
Which is the larger city, La Ciotat or Marseille?
By population, Marseille: 892,391 inhabitants versus 38,868 for La Ciotat (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Marseille is the 2nd largest city in France, La Ciotat the 206th. By area, Marseille is also the larger (241 km²).
How far is La Ciotat from Marseille?
La Ciotat and Marseille are 22 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 La Ciotat or Marseille?
To buy an apartment, La Ciotat is more expensive: €5,053 per m² (median price), versus €3,095 in Marseille (+63%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in La Ciotat or Marseille?
In La Ciotat, half of the residents have a standard of living above €26,590 a year, versus €22,860 in Marseille (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are La Ciotat and Marseille 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