2026 comparison
Bourg-lès-Valence vs Romans-sur-Isère: 2026 comparison
Romans-sur-Isère has more inhabitants than Bourg-lès-Valence: 34,176 versus 20,405, or 67% more. Romans-sur-Isère is both larger (33.1 km² versus 20.3 km²) and more densely populated (1,033 inhabitants per km² versus 1,005).
The median apartment price is higher in Bourg-lès-Valence: €1,846 per m² versus €1,649. The median standard of living is higher in Bourg-lès-Valence (€24,730 a year versus €23,200).
The two cities are 16 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Bourg-lès-Valence
City in Drôme
- Population
- 20,405 inhab.
- 484th in France · 4th in its department
- Area
- 20.3 km²
- Density
- 1,005 per km²
Romans-sur-Isère
City in Drôme
- Population
- 34,176 inhab.
- 245th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 33.1 km²
- Density
- 1,033 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Bourg-lès-ValenceRomans-sur-Isère
| Criterion | Bourg-lès-Valence | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Romans-sur-Isère+67% | 20,405 | 34,176 | More populous: Romans-sur-Isère+67% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Romans-sur-Isère+0.4 pt | +0.5% | +0.9% | Stronger growth: Romans-sur-Isère+0.4 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Bourg-lès-Valence+3.8 pts | +3.3% | −0.5% | Stronger growth: Bourg-lès-Valence+3.8 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Romans-sur-Isère+3% | 1,005 | 1,033 | Denser: Romans-sur-Isère+3% |
| Under 15More young people: Bourg-lès-Valence+1.1 pt | 17.0% | 15.9% | More young people: Bourg-lès-Valence+1.1 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Romans-sur-Isère+2.3 pts | 22.5% | 24.7% | More seniors: Romans-sur-Isère+2.3 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Bourg-lès-Valence+0.14 | 2.10 | 1.96 | Larger households: Bourg-lès-Valence+0.14 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Bourg-lès-Valence | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Bourg-lès-Valence+12% | 1,846 | 1,649 | More expensive: Bourg-lès-Valence+12% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Bourg-lès-Valence+11% | 2,558 | 2,299 | More expensive: Bourg-lès-Valence+11% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Bourg-lès-Valence+10% | 11.7 | 10.6 | More expensive: Bourg-lès-Valence+10% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Bourg-lès-Valence+8% | 10.7 | 9.9 | More expensive: Bourg-lès-Valence+8% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Bourg-lès-Valence+9.9 pts | 60.9% | 50.9% | More homeowners: Bourg-lès-Valence+9.9 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Bourg-lès-Valence+8.0 pts | 47.6% | 39.6% | More houses: Bourg-lès-Valence+8.0 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Romans-sur-Isère+8.4 pts | 20.3% | 28.7% | More social housing: Romans-sur-Isère+8.4 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Romans-sur-Isère+0.6 pt | 1.2% | 1.8% | More second homes: Romans-sur-Isère+0.6 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Romans-sur-Isère+4.4 pts | 6.3% | 10.7% | More vacant homes: Romans-sur-Isère+4.4 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Romans-sur-Isère+10 pts | 38.89% | 49.00% | Higher rate: Romans-sur-Isère+10 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 | Bourg-lès-Valence | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Bourg-lès-Valence+7% | 24,730 | 23,200 | Higher: Bourg-lès-Valence+7% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Romans-sur-Isère+4.3 pts | 17.0% | 21.3% | Higher: Romans-sur-Isère+4.3 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Bourg-lès-Valence+5% | €28,034 | €26,610 | Higher: Bourg-lès-Valence+5% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Bourg-lès-Valence+5.1 pts | 46% | 41% | More taxpaying households: Bourg-lès-Valence+5.1 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Bourg-lès-Valence+1.9 pt | 77.0% | 75.1% | Higher: Bourg-lès-Valence+1.9 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Romans-sur-Isère+3.9 pts | 12.3% | 16.1% | Higher: Romans-sur-Isère+3.9 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Bourg-lès-Valence | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Marlène Mourier | Marie-Hélène Thoraval | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| 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 | Bourg-lès-Valence | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Romans-sur-Isère+81% | 54.4111 in total | 98.3336 in total | More shops per capita: Romans-sur-Isère+81% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère+3% | 24.550 in total | 25.286 in total | More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère+3% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère+61% | 24.049 in total | 38.6132 in total | More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère+61% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère+12% | 22.546 in total | 25.286 in total | More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère+12% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère3.3 times as high | 1.02 in total | 3.211 in total | More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère3.3 times as high |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bourg-lès-Valence3.9 times as high | 3.47 in total | 0.93 in total | More per capita: Bourg-lès-Valence3.9 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Romans-sur-Isère+1 | 0 | 1 | More stations: Romans-sur-Isère+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Bourg-lès-Valence | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Romans-sur-Isère+4% | 3.9 | 4.0 | Better access: Romans-sur-Isère+4% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère3.4 times as high | 2.04 in total | 6.723 in total | More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère3.4 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère24 times as high | 0.51 in total | 11.740 in total | More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère24 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère+9% | 5.411 in total | 5.920 in total | More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère+9% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bourg-lès-Valence+17% | 3.47 in total | 2.910 in total | More per capita: Bourg-lès-Valence+17% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Romans-sur-Isère+4 | 0 | 4 | More facilities: Romans-sur-Isère+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 | Bourg-lès-Valence | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Romans-sur-Isère+7 | 15 | 22 | More schools: Romans-sur-Isère+7 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Romans-sur-Isère+6 | 2 | 8 | More middle schools: Romans-sur-Isère+6 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Romans-sur-Isère+4 | 2 | 6 | More high schools: Romans-sur-Isère+4 |
| Higher education institutions and programsTie | 2 | 2 | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Bourg-lès-Valence | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Bourg-lès-Valence+71% | 7.1 | 4.2 | Higher rate: Bourg-lès-Valence+71% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Romans-sur-Isère+23% | 6.1 | 7.5 | Higher rate: Romans-sur-Isère+23% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Romans-sur-Isère+55% | 2.1 | 3.3 | Higher rate: Romans-sur-Isère+55% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Bourg-lès-Valence+12% | 2.2 | 2.0 | Higher rate: Bourg-lès-Valence+12% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Tie | 8.4 | 8.4 | Tie |
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 | Bourg-lès-Valence | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Bourg-lès-Valence+0.2 °C | 13.3°C | 13.1°C | Warmer: Bourg-lès-Valence+0.2 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Romans-sur-Isère+0.3% | 874 | 877 | Wetter: Romans-sur-Isère+0.3% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Romans-sur-Isère+4 days/year | 88 | 92 | More rainy days: Romans-sur-Isère+4 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Romans-sur-Isère+4 days/year | 45 | 49 | More frost days: Romans-sur-Isère+4 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Bourg-lès-Valence+2 days/year | 41 | 40 | More hot days: Bourg-lès-Valence+2 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 | Bourg-lès-Valence | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Romans-sur-Isère+5 | 9 | 14 | More declarations: Romans-sur-Isère+5 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Bourg-lès-Valence+2 | 2 | 0 | More plans: Bourg-lès-Valence+2 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Bourg-lès-Valence | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Romans-sur-Isère+63% | 20.3 | 33.1 | Larger: Romans-sur-Isère+63% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Romans-sur-Isère+42 m | 114 m | 156 m | Higher: Romans-sur-Isère+42 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Drôme (26) | Drôme (26) | Same |
| IntercommunalitySame | Communauté d'agglomération Valence Romans Agglo | Communauté d'agglomération Valence Romans Agglo | Same |
| Urban unit | Valence | Romans-sur-Isère | |
| Functional area | Valence | Romans-sur-Isère |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Bourg-lès-Valence vs Romans-sur-Isère at a glance
| Criterion | Bourg-lès-Valence | Romans-sur-Isère |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 20,405 | 34,176 |
| Change over 10 years | +3.3% | −0.5% |
| Density per km² | 1,005 | 1,033 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,846 | 1,649 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,558 | 2,299 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.7 | 10.6 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 38.89% | 49.00% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,730 | 23,200 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 12.3% | 16.1% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.9 | 4.0 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 7.1 | 4.2 |
| Average temperature | 13.3°C | 13.1°C |
| Area km² | 20.3 | 33.1 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Bourg-lès-Valence vs Romans-sur-Isère: your questions
Which is the larger city, Bourg-lès-Valence or Romans-sur-Isère?
By population, Romans-sur-Isère: 34,176 inhabitants versus 20,405 for Bourg-lès-Valence (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Romans-sur-Isère is the 245th largest city in France, Bourg-lès-Valence the 484th. By area, Romans-sur-Isère is also the larger (33.1 km²).
How far is Bourg-lès-Valence from Romans-sur-Isère?
Bourg-lès-Valence and Romans-sur-Isère are 16 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Drôme).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Bourg-lès-Valence or Romans-sur-Isère?
To buy an apartment, Bourg-lès-Valence is more expensive: €1,846 per m² (median price), versus €1,649 in Romans-sur-Isère (+12%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Bourg-lès-Valence or Romans-sur-Isère?
In Bourg-lès-Valence, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,730 a year, versus €23,200 in Romans-sur-Isère (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Bourg-lès-Valence and Romans-sur-Isère in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Drôme (26), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures