2026 comparison
Alençon vs Laval: 2026 comparison
Laval has more inhabitants than Alençon: 51,719 versus 26,175, or 2.0 times as many. Laval covers a larger area (34.2 km² versus 10.7 km²), but Alençon is more densely populated: 2,451 inhabitants per km² versus 1,511.
The median apartment price is higher in Laval: €2,000 per m² versus €1,144. The median standard of living is higher in Laval (€24,120 a year versus €21,150).
The two cities are 76 km apart as the crow flies.
Alençon
City in Orne
- Population
- 26,175 inhab.
- 350th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 10.7 km²
- Density
- 2,451 per km²
Laval
City in Mayenne
- Population
- 51,719 inhab.
- 130th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 34.2 km²
- Density
- 1,511 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
AlençonLaval
| Criterion | Alençon | Laval | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Laval+98% | 26,175 | 51,719 | More populous: Laval+98% |
| Change over 5 yearsSmaller decline: Laval+0.8 pt | −1.1% | −0.3% | Smaller decline: Laval+0.8 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsSmaller decline: Laval+1.1 pt | −3.3% | −2.1% | Smaller decline: Laval+1.1 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Alençon+62% | 2,451 | 1,511 | Denser: Alençon+62% |
| Under 15More young people: Laval+0.2 pt | 15.6% | 15.8% | More young people: Laval+0.2 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Alençon+0.9 pt | 23.6% | 22.7% | More seniors: Alençon+0.9 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Laval+0.02 | 1.81 | 1.83 | Larger households: Laval+0.02 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Alençon | Laval | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Laval+75% | 1,144 | 2,000 | More expensive: Laval+75% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Laval+42% | 1,552 | 2,211 | More expensive: Laval+42% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Laval+10% | 10.1 | 11.2 | More expensive: Laval+10% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Laval+10% | 8.4 | 9.3 | More expensive: Laval+10% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Laval+7.2 pts | 34.7% | 41.9% | More homeowners: Laval+7.2 pts |
| Share of housesTie | 37.7% | 37.7% | Tie |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Alençon+12 pts | 44.3% | 32.4% | More social housing: Alençon+12 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Laval+2.1 pts | 1.1% | 3.2% | More second homes: Laval+2.1 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Alençon+0.8 pt | 10.1% | 9.3% | More vacant homes: Alençon+0.8 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Alençon+9.4 pts | 55.69% | 46.31% | Higher rate: Alençon+9.4 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 | Alençon | Laval | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Laval+14% | 21,150 | 24,120 | Higher: Laval+14% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Alençon+9.3 pts | 29.6% | 20.3% | Higher: Alençon+9.3 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Laval+28% | €22,309 | €28,639 | Higher: Laval+28% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Laval+8.0 pts | 37% | 45% | More taxpaying households: Laval+8.0 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Laval+6.4 pts | 67.1% | 73.6% | Higher: Laval+6.4 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Alençon+6.4 pts | 18.8% | 12.4% | Higher: Alençon+6.4 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Alençon | Laval | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Sophie Douvry | Florian Bercault | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | union of the left | |
| 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 | Alençon | Laval | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Alençon+4% | 79.1207 in total | 75.8392 in total | More shops per capita: Alençon+4% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Alençon+6% | 22.960 in total | 21.7112 in total | More per capita: Alençon+6% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Alençon+24% | 38.2100 in total | 30.7159 in total | More per capita: Alençon+24% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laval+4% | 23.762 in total | 24.6127 in total | More per capita: Laval+4% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Alençon+69% | 4.612 in total | 2.714 in total | More per capita: Alençon+69% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laval+21% | 1.95 in total | 2.312 in total | More per capita: Laval+21% |
| 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 | Alençon | Laval | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Laval+24% | 3.2 | 3.9 | Better access: Laval+24% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Alençon+15% | 8.021 in total | 7.036 in total | More per capita: Alençon+15% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Alençon+22% | 21.055 in total | 17.289 in total | More per capita: Alençon+22% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Alençon+26% | 8.021 in total | 6.433 in total | More per capita: Alençon+26% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 3.18 in total | 3.116 in total | Tie |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Laval+4 | 5 | 9 | More facilities: Laval+4 |
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 | Alençon | Laval | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Laval+21 | 15 | 36 | More schools: Laval+21 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Laval+4 | 8 | 12 | More middle schools: Laval+4 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Laval+6 | 8 | 14 | More high schools: Laval+6 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Laval+12 | 2 | 14 | More facilities: Laval+12 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Alençon | Laval | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Laval+32% | 4.4 | 5.8 | Higher rate: Laval+32% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Alençon+5% | 10.1 | 9.7 | Higher rate: Alençon+5% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Alençon+52% | 6.0 | 3.9 | Higher rate: Alençon+52% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Tie | 1.3 | 1.3 | Tie |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Alençon+81% | 18.8 | 10.4 | Higher rate: Alençon+81% |
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 | Alençon | Laval | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Laval+0.6 °C | 11.3°C | 11.9°C | Warmer: Laval+0.6 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,727 | — | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Laval+2% | 744 | 757 | Wetter: Laval+2% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Alençon+2 days/year | 120 | 118 | More rainy days: Alençon+2 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Alençon+10 days/year | 44 | 34 | More frost days: Alençon+10 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Laval+1 days/year | 8 | 9 | More hot days: Laval+1 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 | Alençon | Laval | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Laval+12 | 10 | 22 | More declarations: Laval+12 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Laval+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Laval+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Significant | Significant | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Alençon | Laval | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Laval3.2 times as high | 10.7 | 34.2 | Larger: Laval3.2 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Alençon+81 m | 137 m | 56 m | Higher: Alençon+81 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| Department | Orne (61) | Mayenne (53) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté urbaine d'Alençon | Communauté d'agglomération Laval Agglomération | |
| Urban unit | Alençon | Laval | |
| Functional area | Alençon | Laval |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Alençon vs Laval at a glance
| Criterion | Alençon | Laval |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 26,175 | 51,719 |
| Change over 10 years | −3.3% | −2.1% |
| Density per km² | 2,451 | 1,511 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,144 | 2,000 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,552 | 2,211 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 10.1 | 11.2 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 55.69% | 46.31% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 21,150 | 24,120 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 18.8% | 12.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.2 | 3.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.4 | 5.8 |
| Average temperature | 11.3°C | 11.9°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,727 | — |
| Area km² | 10.7 | 34.2 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Alençon vs Laval: your questions
Which is the larger city, Alençon or Laval?
By population, Laval: 51,719 inhabitants versus 26,175 for Alençon (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Laval is the 130th largest city in France, Alençon the 350th. By area, Laval is also the larger (34.2 km²).
How far is Alençon from Laval?
Alençon and Laval are 76 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Alençon or Laval?
To buy an apartment, Laval is more expensive: €2,000 per m² (median price), versus €1,144 in Alençon (+75%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Alençon or Laval?
In Laval, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,120 a year, versus €21,150 in Alençon (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Alençon and Laval in the same department?
No: Alençon is in Orne (61), in the Normandy region, and Laval in Mayenne (53), in the Pays de la Loire region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures