2026 comparison
Mont-de-Marsan vs Pau: 2026 comparison
Pau has more inhabitants than Mont-de-Marsan: 81,891 versus 32,981, or 2.5 times as many. Mont-de-Marsan covers a larger area (36.9 km² versus 31.5 km²), but Pau is more densely populated: 2,599 inhabitants per km² versus 894.
The median apartment price is higher in Mont-de-Marsan: €2,103 per m² versus €2,085. The median standard of living is higher in Mont-de-Marsan (€24,650 a year versus €23,320).
The two cities are 65 km apart as the crow flies.
Mont-de-Marsan
City in Landes
- Population
- 32,981 inhab.
- 255th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 36.9 km²
- Density
- 894 per km²
Pau
City in Pyrénées-Atlantiques
FPyrénées-Atlantiques64Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Population
- 81,891 inhab.
- 61st in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 31.5 km²
- Density
- 2,599 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Mont-de-MarsanPau
| Criterion | Mont-de-Marsan | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Pau2.5 times as high | 32,981 | 81,891 | More populous: Pau2.5 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Mont-de-Marsan+1.0 pt | +6.4% | +5.5% | Stronger growth: Mont-de-Marsan+1.0 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Pau+2.9 pts | +0.8% | +3.7% | Stronger growth: Pau+2.9 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Pau2.9 times as high | 894 | 2,599 | Denser: Pau2.9 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Mont-de-Marsan+1.0 pt | 14.0% | 13.1% | More young people: Mont-de-Marsan+1.0 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Pau+0.8 pt | 22.1% | 22.9% | More seniors: Pau+0.8 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Mont-de-Marsan+0.17 | 1.88 | 1.71 | Larger households: Mont-de-Marsan+0.17 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Mont-de-Marsan | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Mont-de-Marsan+0.9% | 2,103 | 2,085 | More expensive: Mont-de-Marsan+0.9% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Pau+19% | 2,132 | 2,536 | More expensive: Pau+19% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Pau+10% | 11.0 | 12.0 | More expensive: Pau+10% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Pau+10% | 10.6 | 11.6 | More expensive: Pau+10% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Mont-de-Marsan+11 pts | 48.4% | 37.5% | More homeowners: Mont-de-Marsan+11 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Mont-de-Marsan+39 pts | 55.3% | 16.5% | More houses: Mont-de-Marsan+39 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Pau+4.8 pts | 20.7% | 25.5% | More social housing: Pau+4.8 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Pau+0.5 pt | 2.9% | 3.3% | More second homes: Pau+0.5 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Pau+6.9 pts | 6.8% | 13.7% | More vacant homes: Pau+6.9 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Pau+1.1 pt | 43.48% | 44.53% | Higher rate: Pau+1.1 pt |
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 | Mont-de-Marsan | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Mont-de-Marsan+6% | 24,650 | 23,320 | Higher: Mont-de-Marsan+6% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Pau+6.3 pts | 17.4% | 23.7% | Higher: Pau+6.3 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Mont-de-Marsan+0.8% | €26,882 | €26,675 | Higher: Mont-de-Marsan+0.8% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Mont-de-Marsan+3.4 pts | 46% | 43% | More taxpaying households: Mont-de-Marsan+3.4 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Mont-de-Marsan+1.4 pt | 72.0% | 70.6% | Higher: Mont-de-Marsan+1.4 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Pau+4.9 pts | 11.3% | 16.2% | Higher: Pau+4.9 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Mont-de-Marsan | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Frédéric Dutin | Jérôme Marbot | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | union of the left | union of the left | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Pau+1.2 pt | 97% | 99% | Better covered: Pau+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 | Mont-de-Marsan | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Pau+18% | 64.0211 in total | 75.3617 in total | More shops per capita: Pau+18% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pau+60% | 14.949 in total | 23.8195 in total | More per capita: Pau+60% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pau+45% | 32.7108 in total | 47.6390 in total | More per capita: Pau+45% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pau+43% | 18.561 in total | 26.4216 in total | More per capita: Pau+43% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pau+48% | 1.86 in total | 2.722 in total | More per capita: Pau+48% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Mont-de-Marsan+24% | 3.010 in total | 2.420 in total | More per capita: Mont-de-Marsan+24% |
| 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 | Mont-de-Marsan | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Pau+8% | 4.4 | 4.8 | Better access: Pau+8% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pau+22% | 8.227 in total | 10.082 in total | More per capita: Pau+22% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pau6.4 times as high | 5.217 in total | 33.1271 in total | More per capita: Pau6.4 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Pau+52% | 6.421 in total | 9.679 in total | More per capita: Pau+52% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Mont-de-Marsan+16% | 4.515 in total | 3.932 in total | More per capita: Mont-de-Marsan+16% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Pau+5 | 4 | 9 | More facilities: Pau+5 |
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 | Mont-de-Marsan | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Pau+16 | 18 | 34 | More schools: Pau+16 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Pau+9 | 4 | 13 | More middle schools: Pau+9 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Pau+8 | 5 | 13 | More high schools: Pau+8 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Pau+16 | 10 | 26 | More facilities: Pau+16 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Mont-de-Marsan | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Mont-de-Marsan+52% | 6.4 | 4.2 | Higher rate: Mont-de-Marsan+52% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Mont-de-Marsan+12% | 12.4 | 11.1 | Higher rate: Mont-de-Marsan+12% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Mont-de-Marsan+31% | 7.1 | 5.4 | Higher rate: Mont-de-Marsan+31% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Mont-de-Marsan+11% | 1.9 | 1.7 | Higher rate: Mont-de-Marsan+11% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Mont-de-Marsan+9% | 11.4 | 10.4 | Higher rate: Mont-de-Marsan+9% |
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 | Mont-de-Marsan | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Mont-de-Marsan+0.1 °C | 13.8°C | 13.7°C | Warmer: Mont-de-Marsan+0.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Mont-de-Marsan+2% | 1,942 | 1,910 | Sunnier: Mont-de-Marsan+2% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Pau+19% | 918 | 1,094 | Wetter: Pau+19% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Pau+8 days/year | 119 | 127 | More rainy days: Pau+8 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Mont-de-Marsan+17 days/year | 46 | 29 | More frost days: Mont-de-Marsan+17 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Mont-de-Marsan+13 days/year | 32 | 20 | More hot days: Mont-de-Marsan+13 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 | Mont-de-Marsan | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Pau+11 | 11 | 22 | More declarations: Pau+11 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Pau+1 | 0 | 1 | More plans: Pau+1 |
| Radon potential | Low | Low, with aggravating factors |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Mont-de-Marsan | Pau | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Mont-de-Marsan+17% | 36.9 | 31.5 | Larger: Mont-de-Marsan+17% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Pau+167 m | 39 m | 206 m | Higher: Pau+167 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Large urban centre | |
| Department | Landes (40) | Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64) | |
| Intercommunality | Mont de Marsan Agglomération | Communauté d'agglomération Pau Béarn Pyrénées | |
| Urban unit | Mont-de-Marsan | Pau | |
| Functional area | Mont-de-Marsan | Pau |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Mont-de-Marsan vs Pau at a glance
| Criterion | Mont-de-Marsan | Pau |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 32,981 | 81,891 |
| Change over 10 years | +0.8% | +3.7% |
| Density per km² | 894 | 2,599 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,103 | 2,085 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,132 | 2,536 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.0 | 12.0 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 43.48% | 44.53% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,650 | 23,320 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.3% | 16.2% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 99% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.4 | 4.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.4 | 4.2 |
| Average temperature | 13.8°C | 13.7°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,942 | 1,910 |
| Area km² | 36.9 | 31.5 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Mont-de-Marsan vs Pau: your questions
Which is the larger city, Mont-de-Marsan or Pau?
By population, Pau: 81,891 inhabitants versus 32,981 for Mont-de-Marsan (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Pau is the 61st largest city in France, Mont-de-Marsan the 255th. By area, Mont-de-Marsan is the larger (36.9 km²).
How far is Mont-de-Marsan from Pau?
Mont-de-Marsan and Pau are 65 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Mont-de-Marsan or Pau?
To buy an apartment, Mont-de-Marsan is more expensive: €2,103 per m² (median price), versus €2,085 in Pau (+1%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Mont-de-Marsan or Pau?
In Mont-de-Marsan, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,650 a year, versus €23,320 in Pau (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Mont-de-Marsan or Pau?
Mont-de-Marsan: 1,942 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,910 in Pau (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