2026 comparison
Marseille vs Montpellier: 2026 comparison
Marseille has more inhabitants than Montpellier: 892,391 versus 313,712, or 2.8 times as many. Marseille covers a larger area (241 km² versus 56.9 km²), but Montpellier is more densely populated: 5,515 inhabitants per km² versus 3,709.
The median apartment price is higher in Montpellier: €3,351 per m² versus €3,095. The median standard of living is higher in Marseille (€22,860 a year versus €21,440).
The two cities are 127 km apart as the crow flies.
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
Montpellier
City in Hérault
- Population
- 313,712 inhab.
- 7th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 56.9 km²
- Density
- 5,515 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
MarseilleMontpellier
| Criterion | Marseille | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Marseille2.8 times as high | 892,391 | 313,712 | More populous: Marseille2.8 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Montpellier+4.9 pts | +2.0% | +7.0% | Stronger growth: Montpellier+4.9 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Montpellier+10 pts | +3.6% | +14.0% | Stronger growth: Montpellier+10 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Montpellier+49% | 3,709 | 5,515 | Denser: Montpellier+49% |
| Under 15More young people: Marseille+2.7 pts | 17.4% | 14.7% | More young people: Marseille+2.7 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Marseille+4.7 pts | 19.5% | 14.9% | More seniors: Marseille+4.7 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Marseille+0.24 | 2.07 | 1.83 | Larger households: Marseille+0.24 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Marseille | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Montpellier+8% | 3,095 | 3,351 | More expensive: Montpellier+8% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Marseille+20% | 4,749 | 3,966 | More expensive: Marseille+20% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Marseille+5% | 16.3 | 15.5 | More expensive: Marseille+5% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Marseille+21% | 17.4 | 14.3 | More expensive: Marseille+21% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Marseille+12 pts | 42.9% | 30.6% | More homeowners: Marseille+12 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Marseille+3.3 pts | 14.9% | 11.6% | More houses: Marseille+3.3 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Montpellier+2.7 pts | 22.0% | 24.7% | More social housing: Montpellier+2.7 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Montpellier+1.0 pt | 3.5% | 4.5% | More second homes: Montpellier+1.0 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Marseille+0.7 pt | 7.6% | 6.9% | More vacant homes: Marseille+0.7 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Montpellier+6.4 pts | 47.87% | 54.28% | Higher rate: Montpellier+6.4 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 | Marseille | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Marseille+7% | 22,860 | 21,440 | Higher: Marseille+7% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Montpellier+2.8 pts | 28.1% | 30.9% | Higher: Montpellier+2.8 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Marseille+10% | €28,163 | €25,669 | Higher: Marseille+10% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Marseille+1.7 pt | 42% | 40% | More taxpaying households: Marseille+1.7 pt |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Marseille+0.3 pt | 68.1% | 67.8% | Higher: Marseille+0.3 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Montpellier+4.9 pts | 13.5% | 18.3% | Higher: Montpellier+4.9 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Marseille | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Benoît Payan | Michaël Delafosse | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | union of the left | union of the left | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Montpellier+1.5 pt | 90% | 91% | Better covered: Montpellier+1.5 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Marseille | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Marseille+13% | 66.65,939 in total | 58.71,841 in total | More shops per capita: Marseille+13% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+18% | 26.72,381 in total | 22.6708 in total | More per capita: Marseille+18% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montpellier+15% | 47.84,267 in total | 54.91,721 in total | More per capita: Montpellier+15% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montpellier+20% | 9.6860 in total | 11.6363 in total | More per capita: Montpellier+20% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montpellier+56% | 0.875 in total | 1.341 in total | More per capita: Montpellier+56% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montpellier+42% | 1.3116 in total | 1.858 in total | More per capita: Montpellier+42% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Marseille+10 | 12 | 2 | More stations: Marseille+10 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Marseille | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Marseille+4% | 5.2 | 5.0 | Better access: Marseille+4% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+15% | 14.51,290 in total | 12.5393 in total | More per capita: Marseille+15% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montpellier+38% | 24.22,157 in total | 33.31,046 in total | More per capita: Montpellier+38% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+21% | 9.9887 in total | 8.2257 in total | More per capita: Marseille+21% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+31% | 4.0355 in total | 3.095 in total | More per capita: Marseille+31% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Marseille+42 | 69 | 27 | More facilities: Marseille+42 |
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 | Marseille | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Marseille+384 | 514 | 130 | More schools: Marseille+384 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Marseille+81 | 116 | 35 | More middle schools: Marseille+81 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Marseille+60 | 94 | 34 | More high schools: Marseille+60 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Marseille+7 | 108 | 101 | More facilities: Marseille+7 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Marseille | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Marseille+21% | 9.3 | 7.7 | Higher rate: Marseille+21% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Montpellier+20% | 19.3 | 23.1 | Higher rate: Montpellier+20% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Tie | 5.0 | 5.0 | Tie |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Marseille2.4 times as high | 6.5 | 2.7 | Higher rate: Marseille2.4 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Montpellier+7% | 13.4 | 14.3 | Higher rate: Montpellier+7% |
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 | Marseille | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Montpellier+0.2 °C | 15.3°C | 15.5°C | Warmer: Montpellier+0.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Marseille+7% | 2,898 | 2,705 | Sunnier: Marseille+7% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Montpellier+4% | 615 | 639 | Wetter: Montpellier+4% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Montpellier+1 days/year | 57 | 58 | More rainy days: Montpellier+1 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Montpellier+14 days/year | 8 | 21 | More frost days: Montpellier+14 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Montpellier+6 days/year | 28 | 34 | More hot days: Montpellier+6 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 | Marseille | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Marseille+15 | 51 | 36 | More declarations: Marseille+15 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Marseille+3 | 5 | 2 | More plans: Marseille+3 |
| Radon potential | Low, with aggravating factors | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Marseille | Montpellier | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Marseille4.2 times as high | 241 | 56.9 | Larger: Marseille4.2 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Montpellier+17 m | 2 m | 19 m | Higher: Montpellier+17 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Bouches-du-Rhône (13) | Hérault (34) | |
| Intercommunality | Métropole d'Aix-Marseille-Provence | Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Marseille-Aix-en-Provence | Montpellier | |
| Functional area | Marseille - Aix-en-Provence | Montpellier |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Marseille vs Montpellier at a glance
| Criterion | Marseille | Montpellier |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 892,391 | 313,712 |
| Change over 10 years | +3.6% | +14.0% |
| Density per km² | 3,709 | 5,515 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,095 | 3,351 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,749 | 3,966 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 16.3 | 15.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 47.87% | 54.28% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,860 | 21,440 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 13.5% | 18.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 90% | 91% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.2 | 5.0 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 9.3 | 7.7 |
| Average temperature | 15.3°C | 15.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,898 | 2,705 |
| Area km² | 241 | 56.9 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Marseille vs Montpellier: your questions
Which is the larger city, Marseille or Montpellier?
By population, Marseille: 892,391 inhabitants versus 313,712 for Montpellier (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Marseille is the 2nd largest city in France, Montpellier the 7th. By area, Marseille is also the larger (241 km²).
How far is Marseille from Montpellier?
Marseille and Montpellier are 127 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Marseille or Montpellier?
To buy an apartment, Montpellier is more expensive: €3,351 per m² (median price), versus €3,095 in Marseille (+8%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Marseille or Montpellier?
In Marseille, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,860 a year, versus €21,440 in Montpellier (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Marseille or Montpellier?
Marseille: 2,898 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 2,705 in Montpellier (climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each town).
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures