2026 comparison
Reims vs Soissons: 2026 comparison
Reims has more inhabitants than Soissons: 180,733 versus 28,664, or 6.3 times as many. Reims is both larger (46.9 km² versus 12.3 km²) and more densely populated (3,854 inhabitants per km² versus 2,327).
The median apartment price is higher in Reims: €2,753 per m² versus €1,591. The median standard of living is higher in Reims (€22,410 a year versus €19,970).
The two cities are 55 km apart as the crow flies.
Reims
City in Marne
- Population
- 180,733 inhab.
- 13th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 46.9 km²
- Density
- 3,854 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
ReimsSoissons
| Criterion | Reims | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Reims6.3 times as high | 180,733 | 28,664 | More populous: Reims6.3 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsSmaller decline: Soissons+0.8 pt | −2.5% | −1.7% | Smaller decline: Soissons+0.8 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsSmaller decline: Soissons+1.2 pt | −2.7% | −1.5% | Smaller decline: Soissons+1.2 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Reims+66% | 3,854 | 2,327 | Denser: Reims+66% |
| Under 15More young people: Soissons+2.1 pts | 15.7% | 17.8% | More young people: Soissons+2.1 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Soissons+6.0 pts | 17.4% | 23.3% | More seniors: Soissons+6.0 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Soissons+0.12 | 1.86 | 1.98 | Larger households: Soissons+0.12 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Reims | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Reims+73% | 2,753 | 1,591 | More expensive: Reims+73% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Reims+45% | 2,692 | 1,854 | More expensive: Reims+45% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Reims+14% | 13.1 | 11.4 | More expensive: Reims+14% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Reims+21% | 11.8 | 9.8 | More expensive: Reims+21% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Soissons+4.2 pts | 28.0% | 32.2% | More homeowners: Soissons+4.2 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Soissons+12 pts | 19.1% | 30.8% | More houses: Soissons+12 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Reims+3.8 pts | 47.4% | 43.6% | More social housing: Reims+3.8 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Reims+2.5 pts | 3.8% | 1.2% | More second homes: Reims+2.5 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Reims+1.4 pt | 10.0% | 8.5% | More vacant homes: Reims+1.4 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Soissons+13 pts | 46.33% | 59.79% | Higher rate: Soissons+13 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 | Reims | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Reims+12% | 22,410 | 19,970 | Higher: Reims+12% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Soissons+6.8 pts | 25.7% | 32.5% | Higher: Soissons+6.8 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Reims+16% | €27,322 | €23,648 | Higher: Reims+16% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Reims+8.4 pts | 42% | 34% | More taxpaying households: Reims+8.4 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Soissons+0.1 pt | 70.4% | 70.5% | Higher: Soissons+0.1 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Soissons+5.3 pts | 16.5% | 21.7% | Higher: Soissons+5.3 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Reims | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Arnaud Robinet | Alain Crémont | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Reims+2.3 pts | 98% | 96% | Better covered: Reims+2.3 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Reims | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Soissons+53% | 54.3982 in total | 83.0238 in total | More shops per capita: Soissons+53% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Soissons+30% | 19.3348 in total | 25.172 in total | More per capita: Soissons+30% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Reims+23% | 32.7591 in total | 26.576 in total | More per capita: Reims+23% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Reims+18% | 26.3475 in total | 22.364 in total | More per capita: Reims+18% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Soissons+87% | 1.527 in total | 2.88 in total | More per capita: Soissons+87% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Reims+16% | 2.444 in total | 2.16 in total | More per capita: Reims+16% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Reims+2 | 3 | 1 | More stations: Reims+2 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Reims | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Reims+39% | 5.0 | 3.6 | Better access: Reims+39% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Soissons+5% | 10.0180 in total | 10.530 in total | More per capita: Soissons+5% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Soissons+28% | 19.1346 in total | 24.470 in total | More per capita: Soissons+28% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Soissons+19% | 7.6138 in total | 9.126 in total | More per capita: Soissons+19% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Soissons+32% | 3.462 in total | 4.513 in total | More per capita: Soissons+32% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Reims+14 | 18 | 4 | More facilities: Reims+14 |
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 | Reims | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Reims+94 | 106 | 12 | More schools: Reims+94 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Reims+16 | 22 | 6 | More middle schools: Reims+16 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Reims+15 | 24 | 9 | More high schools: Reims+15 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Reims+39 | 41 | 2 | More facilities: Reims+39 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Reims | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesTie | 4.2 | 4.2 | Tie |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Reims+42% | 12.9 | 9.1 | Higher rate: Reims+42% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Reims+40% | 5.8 | 4.1 | Higher rate: Reims+40% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Reims2.9 times as high | 3.6 | 1.2 | Higher rate: Reims2.9 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Reims+40% | 14.3 | 10.2 | Higher rate: Reims+40% |
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 | Reims | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Soissons+0.1 °C | 11.2°C | 11.3°C | Warmer: Soissons+0.1 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Reims+14% | 756 | 663 | Wetter: Reims+14% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Reims+1 days/year | 120 | 119 | More rainy days: Reims+1 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Soissons+8 days/year | 45 | 53 | More frost days: Soissons+8 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Soissons+3 days/year | 9 | 13 | More hot days: Soissons+3 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 | Reims | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Reims+6 | 17 | 11 | More declarations: Reims+6 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Reims | Soissons | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Reims3.8 times as high | 46.9 | 12.3 | Larger: Reims3.8 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Reims+42 m | 86 m | 45 m | Higher: Reims+42 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| Department | Marne (51) | Aisne (02) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté urbaine du Grand Reims | Communauté d'agglomération GrandSoissons Agglomération | |
| Urban unit | Reims | Soissons | |
| Functional area | Reims | Soissons |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Reims vs Soissons at a glance
| Criterion | Reims | Soissons |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 180,733 | 28,664 |
| Change over 10 years | −2.7% | −1.5% |
| Density per km² | 3,854 | 2,327 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,753 | 1,591 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,692 | 1,854 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.1 | 11.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 46.33% | 59.79% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,410 | 19,970 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 16.5% | 21.7% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.0 | 3.6 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Average temperature | 11.2°C | 11.3°C |
| Area km² | 46.9 | 12.3 |
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FAQ
Reims vs Soissons: your questions
Which is the larger city, Reims or Soissons?
By population, Reims: 180,733 inhabitants versus 28,664 for Soissons (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Reims is the 13th largest city in France, Soissons the 311th. By area, Reims is also the larger (46.9 km²).
How far is Reims from Soissons?
Reims and Soissons are 55 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Reims or Soissons?
To buy an apartment, Reims is more expensive: €2,753 per m² (median price), versus €1,591 in Soissons (+73%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Reims or Soissons?
In Reims, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,410 a year, versus €19,970 in Soissons (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Reims and Soissons in the same department?
No: Reims is in Marne (51), in the Grand Est region, and Soissons in Aisne (02), in the Hauts-de-France region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures