2026 comparison
Laon vs Soissons: 2026 comparison
Soissons has more inhabitants than Laon: 28,664 versus 24,809, or 16% more. Laon covers a larger area (42.0 km² versus 12.3 km²), but Soissons is more densely populated: 2,327 inhabitants per km² versus 591.
The median apartment price is higher in Soissons: €1,591 per m² versus €1,107. The median standard of living is higher in Soissons (€19,970 a year versus €19,870).
The two cities are 30 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Laon
City in Aisne
- Population
- 24,809 inhab.
- 373rd in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 42.0 km²
- Density
- 591 per km²
Soissons
City in Aisne
- Population
- 28,664 inhab.
- 311th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 12.3 km²
- Density
- 2,327 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
LaonSoissons
| Criterion | Laon | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Soissons+16% | 24,809 | 28,664 | More populous: Soissons+16% |
| Change over 5 yearsSmaller decline: Soissons+0.3 pt | −2.0% | −1.7% | Smaller decline: Soissons+0.3 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsSmaller decline: Soissons+2.5 pts | −4.0% | −1.5% | Smaller decline: Soissons+2.5 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Soissons3.9 times as high | 591 | 2,327 | Denser: Soissons3.9 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Soissons+1.3 pt | 16.6% | 17.8% | More young people: Soissons+1.3 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Soissons+2.8 pts | 20.5% | 23.3% | More seniors: Soissons+2.8 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Soissons+0.04 | 1.94 | 1.98 | Larger households: Soissons+0.04 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Laon | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Soissons+44% | 1,107 | 1,591 | More expensive: Soissons+44% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Soissons+47% | 1,261 | 1,854 | More expensive: Soissons+47% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Soissons+11% | 10.3 | 11.4 | More expensive: Soissons+11% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Soissons+19% | 8.2 | 9.8 | More expensive: Soissons+19% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Laon+1.1 pt | 33.4% | 32.2% | More homeowners: Laon+1.1 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Laon+11 pts | 41.5% | 30.8% | More houses: Laon+11 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | — | 43.6% | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Laon+0.6 pt | 1.8% | 1.2% | More second homes: Laon+0.6 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Laon+2.7 pts | 11.2% | 8.5% | More vacant homes: Laon+2.7 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Laon+5.8 pts | 65.56% | 59.79% | Higher rate: Laon+5.8 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 | Laon | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Soissons+0.5% | 19,870 | 19,970 | Higher: Soissons+0.5% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Soissons+0.6 pt | 31.9% | 32.5% | Higher: Soissons+0.6 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Soissons+15% | €20,647 | €23,648 | Higher: Soissons+15% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Soissons+1.0 pt | 33% | 34% | More taxpaying households: Soissons+1.0 pt |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Soissons+4.2 pts | 66.3% | 70.5% | Higher: Soissons+4.2 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Soissons+0.3 pt | 21.4% | 21.7% | Higher: Soissons+0.3 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Laon | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Eric Delhaye | Alain Crémont | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous centre | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Laon+1.2 pt | 97% | 96% | Better covered: Laon+1.2 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Laon | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Soissons+6% | 78.6195 in total | 83.0238 in total | More shops per capita: Soissons+6% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Soissons+11% | 22.656 in total | 25.172 in total | More per capita: Soissons+11% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laon+29% | 34.385 in total | 26.576 in total | More per capita: Laon+29% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laon+39% | 31.077 in total | 22.364 in total | More per capita: Laon+39% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laon+73% | 4.812 in total | 2.88 in total | More per capita: Laon+73% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laon+54% | 3.28 in total | 2.16 in total | More per capita: Laon+54% |
| Passenger train stationsTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Laon | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Soissons+13% | 3.2 | 3.6 | Better access: Soissons+13% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Soissons+18% | 8.922 in total | 10.530 in total | More per capita: Soissons+18% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laon+40% | 34.385 in total | 24.470 in total | More per capita: Laon+40% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Soissons+13% | 8.120 in total | 9.126 in total | More per capita: Soissons+13% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Soissons+25% | 3.69 in total | 4.513 in total | More per capita: Soissons+25% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Laon+1 | 5 | 4 | More facilities: Laon+1 |
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 | Laon | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Laon+5 | 17 | 12 | More schools: Laon+5 |
| Middle schoolsTie | 6 | 6 | Tie |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Soissons+4 | 5 | 9 | More high schools: Soissons+4 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Laon+4 | 6 | 2 | More facilities: Laon+4 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Laon | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Laon+47% | 6.1 | 4.2 | Higher rate: Laon+47% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Laon+19% | 10.8 | 9.1 | Higher rate: Laon+19% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Laon+58% | 6.5 | 4.1 | Higher rate: Laon+58% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Laon2.3 times as high | 2.9 | 1.2 | Higher rate: Laon2.3 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Laon+33% | 13.5 | 10.2 | Higher rate: Laon+33% |
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 | Laon | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Soissons+0.3 °C | 11.0°C | 11.3°C | Warmer: Soissons+0.3 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Laon+3% | 686 | 663 | Wetter: Laon+3% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Laon+1 days/year | 120 | 119 | More rainy days: Laon+1 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Soissons+3 days/year | 51 | 53 | More frost days: Soissons+3 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Soissons+2 days/year | 10 | 13 | More hot days: Soissons+2 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 | Laon | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Laon+8 | 19 | 11 | More declarations: Laon+8 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Laon | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Laon3.4 times as high | 42.0 | 12.3 | Larger: Laon3.4 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Laon+119 m | 164 m | 45 m | Higher: Laon+119 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Aisne (02) | Aisne (02) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération du Pays de Laon | Communauté d'agglomération GrandSoissons Agglomération | |
| Urban unit | Laon | Soissons | |
| Functional area | Laon | Soissons |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Laon vs Soissons at a glance
| Criterion | Laon | Soissons |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 24,809 | 28,664 |
| Change over 10 years | −4.0% | −1.5% |
| Density per km² | 591 | 2,327 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,107 | 1,591 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,261 | 1,854 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 10.3 | 11.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 65.56% | 59.79% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 19,870 | 19,970 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 21.4% | 21.7% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.2 | 3.6 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.1 | 4.2 |
| Average temperature | 11.0°C | 11.3°C |
| Area km² | 42.0 | 12.3 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Laon vs Soissons: your questions
Which is the larger city, Laon or Soissons?
By population, Soissons: 28,664 inhabitants versus 24,809 for Laon (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Soissons is the 311th largest city in France, Laon the 373rd. By area, Laon is the larger (42.0 km²).
How far is Laon from Soissons?
Laon and Soissons are 30 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Aisne).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Laon or Soissons?
To buy an apartment, Soissons is more expensive: €1,591 per m² (median price), versus €1,107 in Laon (+44%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Laon or Soissons?
In Soissons, half of the residents have a standard of living above €19,970 a year, versus €19,870 in Laon (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Laon and Soissons in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Aisne (02), in the Hauts-de-France region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures