2026 comparison
Massy (91) vs Palaiseau: 2026 comparison
Massy has more inhabitants than Palaiseau: 52,023 versus 37,773, or 38% more. Palaiseau covers a larger area (11.5 km² versus 9.4 km²), but Massy is more densely populated: 5,517 inhabitants per km² versus 3,282.
The median apartment price is higher in Massy: €4,375 per m² versus €4,041. The median standard of living is higher in Palaiseau (€31,460 a year versus €27,350).
The two cities are 3.2 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department and the same urban unit (Paris).
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Massy
City in Essonne
- Population
- 52,023 inhab.
- 128th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 9.4 km²
- Density
- 5,517 per km²
Palaiseau
City in Essonne
- Population
- 37,773 inhab.
- 214th in France · 5th in its department
- Area
- 11.5 km²
- Density
- 3,282 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
MassyPalaiseau
| Criterion | Massy | Palaiseau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Massy+38% | 52,023 | 37,773 | More populous: Massy+38% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Palaiseau+3.1 pts | +2.2% | +5.3% | Stronger growth: Palaiseau+3.1 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Palaiseau+7.2 pts | +12.7% | +19.9% | Stronger growth: Palaiseau+7.2 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Massy+68% | 5,517 | 3,282 | Denser: Massy+68% |
| Under 15More young people: Massy+2.8 pts | 19.0% | 16.3% | More young people: Massy+2.8 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Palaiseau+0.7 pt | 13.2% | 13.9% | More seniors: Palaiseau+0.7 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Massy+0.12 | 2.16 | 2.04 | Larger households: Massy+0.12 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Massy | Palaiseau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Massy+8% | 4,375 | 4,041 | More expensive: Massy+8% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Palaiseau+1% | 4,788 | 4,841 | More expensive: Palaiseau+1% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Massy+3% | 20.1 | 19.5 | More expensive: Massy+3% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Palaiseau+4% | 16.6 | 17.3 | More expensive: Palaiseau+4% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Palaiseau+5.5 pts | 39.2% | 44.7% | More homeowners: Palaiseau+5.5 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Palaiseau+16 pts | 9.6% | 25.2% | More houses: Palaiseau+16 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Massy+31 pts | 35.7% | 4.4% | More social housing: Massy+31 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Palaiseau+2.6 pts | 2.9% | 5.4% | More second homes: Palaiseau+2.6 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Palaiseau+3.3 pts | 4.1% | 7.4% | More vacant homes: Palaiseau+3.3 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Palaiseau+3.4 pts | 32.32% | 35.68% | Higher rate: Palaiseau+3.4 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 | Massy | Palaiseau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Palaiseau+15% | 27,350 | 31,460 | Higher: Palaiseau+15% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Massy+4.2 pts | 18.0% | 13.8% | Higher: Massy+4.2 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Palaiseau+23% | €33,483 | €41,073 | Higher: Palaiseau+23% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Palaiseau+3.9 pts | 55% | 59% | More taxpaying households: Palaiseau+3.9 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Massy+7.1 pts | 80.0% | 73.0% | Higher: Massy+7.1 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Massy+0.6 pt | 10.4% | 9.8% | Higher: Massy+0.6 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Massy | Palaiseau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Nicolas Samsoen | Grégoire de Lasteyrie | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the centre | miscellaneous centre | |
| Premises with fiberTie | 97% | 97% | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Massy | Palaiseau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Massy+27% | 33.6175 in total | 26.5100 in total | More shops per capita: Massy+27% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Massy+12% | 13.168 in total | 11.644 in total | More per capita: Massy+12% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Massy+35% | 26.5138 in total | 19.674 in total | More per capita: Massy+35% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Palaiseau+5% | 11.359 in total | 11.945 in total | More per capita: Palaiseau+5% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Palaiseau+57% | 1.37 in total | 2.18 in total | More per capita: Palaiseau+57% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Massy2.2 times as high | 1.26 in total | 0.52 in total | More per capita: Massy2.2 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsTie | 3 | 3 | Tie |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Massy | Palaiseau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Massy+56% | 3.3 | 2.1 | Better access: Massy+56% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Massy2.2 times as high | 7.740 in total | 3.413 in total | More per capita: Massy2.2 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Massy3.3 times as high | 38.1198 in total | 11.644 in total | More per capita: Massy3.3 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Massy+84% | 7.338 in total | 4.015 in total | More per capita: Massy+84% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 2.111 in total | 2.18 in total | Tie |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Massy+1 | 2 | 1 | More facilities: Massy+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 | Massy | Palaiseau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Massy+7 | 29 | 22 | More schools: Massy+7 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Massy+3 | 7 | 4 | More middle schools: Massy+3 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Palaiseau+1 | 4 | 5 | More high schools: Palaiseau+1 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Palaiseau+9 | 0 | 9 | More facilities: Palaiseau+9 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Massy | Palaiseau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Palaiseau+36% | 4.3 | 5.8 | Higher rate: Palaiseau+36% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Massy2.2 times as high | 16.3 | 7.4 | Higher rate: Massy2.2 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Massy+55% | 3.3 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Massy+55% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Massy+26% | 2.5 | 2.0 | Higher rate: Massy+26% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Massy+26% | 9.5 | 7.5 | Higher rate: Massy+26% |
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 | Massy | Palaiseau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Palaiseau+7 | 11 | 18 | More declarations: Palaiseau+7 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Massy | Palaiseau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Palaiseau+22% | 9.43 | 11.5 | Larger: Palaiseau+22% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Palaiseau+19 m | 67 m | 86 m | Higher: Palaiseau+19 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Essonne (91) | Essonne (91) | Same |
| IntercommunalitySame | Communauté d'agglomération Communauté Paris-Saclay | Communauté d'agglomération Communauté Paris-Saclay | Same |
| Urban unitSame | Paris | Paris | Same |
| Functional areaSame | Paris | Paris | Same |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Massy (91) vs Palaiseau at a glance
| Criterion | Massy | Palaiseau |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 52,023 | 37,773 |
| Change over 10 years | +12.7% | +19.9% |
| Density per km² | 5,517 | 3,282 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,375 | 4,041 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,788 | 4,841 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 20.1 | 19.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 32.32% | 35.68% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 27,350 | 31,460 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 10.4% | 9.8% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.3 | 2.1 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.3 | 5.8 |
| Average temperature | 11.5°C | 11.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,831 | 1,831 |
| Area km² | 9.43 | 11.5 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Massy (91) vs Palaiseau: your questions
Which is the larger city, Massy or Palaiseau?
By population, Massy: 52,023 inhabitants versus 37,773 for Palaiseau (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Massy is the 128th largest city in France, Palaiseau the 214th. By area, Palaiseau is the larger (11.5 km²).
How far is Massy from Palaiseau?
Massy and Palaiseau are 3.2 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Essonne).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Massy or Palaiseau?
To buy an apartment, Massy is more expensive: €4,375 per m² (median price), versus €4,041 in Palaiseau (+8%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Massy or Palaiseau?
In Palaiseau, half of the residents have a standard of living above €31,460 a year, versus €27,350 in Massy (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Massy and Palaiseau in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Essonne (91), in the Île-de-France region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures