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Marseille vs Montpellier

Real-estate investment score — comparative analysis across 7 dimensions

Verdict — Both cities are very close: 61/100 for Marseille vs 57/100 for Montpellier. The choice depends on your priorities. Montpellier is more accessible price-wise.

Visual comparison (radar)

Pros and cons

Marseille

+ Strengths
  • Higher overall score (61/100 vs 57/100)
  • Better accessibility (transport, services) (25/100 vs 13/100)
  • Better safety (87/100 vs 42/100)
  • Larger demographic pool (886,040 vs 310,240 inhabitants)
− Weaknesses
  • Higher price per m² (4,518 € vs 3,416 €)
  • Lower quality of life (score 65/100 vs 93/100)
  • More identified risks (15 vs 12)
  • Worse-rated housing stock (EPC A+B+C: 24.8 % vs 46.8 %)

Montpellier

+ Strengths
  • More affordable price per m² (3,416 € vs 4,518 €)
  • Better quality of life (score 93/100 vs 65/100)
  • Fewer identified natural/technological risks (12 vs 15)
  • Better-rated housing stock (EPC A+B+C: 46.8 % vs 24.8 %)
− Weaknesses
  • Lower overall score (57/100 vs 61/100)
  • Limited accessibility (13/100 vs 25/100)
  • Lower safety (42/100 vs 87/100)

Detailed scores

DimensionMarseilleMontpellier
Overall score6157
Yield5130
Quality of life6593
Economic dynamism99100
Accessibility2513
Safety8742
EPC5082

Key data

IndicatorMarseilleMontpellier
Population886,040310,240
Price per m² (apt)4,518 €3,416 €
Rent per m²15.5 €
Gross yield5.4 %
EPC A+B+C24.8 %46.8 %
FTTH fiber0.0 %0.0 %
Historic monuments110118
Identified risks1512

Price per m² evolution

Frequently asked questions

Where is the price per m² more accessible between Marseille and Montpellier?
On the apartment market, Montpellier is more affordable with a median price of 3,416 €/m² vs 4,518 €/m² for the other city (source: French Land Registry DVF, latest year available).
Should you invest in Marseille or Montpellier?
Both cities have very close investment scores (61/100 for Marseille vs 57/100 for Montpellier) under our multi-criteria methodology. The choice should depend on your personal priorities: yield, quality of life, taxation, geographic proximity. Check the detailed city profiles to decide.
Which city offers the best quality of life: Marseille or Montpellier?
Montpellier scores higher on quality of life (93/100 vs 65/100). This score aggregates density, green spaces, air quality, cultural facilities and public services quality. It remains indicative and does not capture personal preferences (climate, urban vibe).
What is the population difference between Marseille and Montpellier?
Marseille is more populated with 886,040 inhabitants vs 310,240 for the other city (source: INSEE, latest census). A more populated city generally offers a more liquid rental market but stronger purchase competition.
Methodology. Scores are computed from public open-data sources (INSEE, French Land Registry DVF, rental observatory, ADEME EPC). No weight is influenced by any commercial partner. See the full methodology.