2026 comparison
Brest vs Lorient: 2026 comparison
Brest has more inhabitants than Lorient: 144,890 versus 59,856, or 2.4 times as many. Brest covers a larger area (49.5 km² versus 17.5 km²), but Lorient is more densely populated: 3,424 inhabitants per km² versus 2,926.
The median apartment price is higher in Lorient: €2,499 per m² versus €2,087. The median standard of living is higher in Brest (€24,030 a year versus €23,810).
The two cities are 111 km apart as the crow flies.
Brest
City in Finistère
- Population
- 144,890 inhab.
- 26th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 49.5 km²
- Density
- 2,926 per km²
Lorient
City in Morbihan
- Population
- 59,856 inhab.
- 101st in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 17.5 km²
- Density
- 3,424 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
BrestLorient
| Criterion | Brest | Lorient | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Brest2.4 times as high | 144,890 | 59,856 | More populous: Brest2.4 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Lorient+0.2 pt | +2.0% | +2.2% | Stronger growth: Lorient+0.2 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Brest+1.5 pt | +2.1% | +0.6% | Stronger growth: Brest+1.5 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Lorient+17% | 2,926 | 3,424 | Denser: Lorient+17% |
| Under 15More young people: Brest+0.2 pt | 13.9% | 13.8% | More young people: Brest+0.2 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Lorient+5.2 pts | 17.6% | 22.8% | More seniors: Lorient+5.2 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Brest+0.02 | 1.78 | 1.76 | Larger households: Brest+0.02 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Brest | Lorient | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Lorient+20% | 2,087 | 2,499 | More expensive: Lorient+20% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Lorient+21% | 2,397 | 2,906 | More expensive: Lorient+21% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Lorient+10% | 12.2 | 13.4 | More expensive: Lorient+10% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Lorient+16% | 10.8 | 12.6 | More expensive: Lorient+16% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Lorient+0.1 pt | 42.6% | 42.7% | More homeowners: Lorient+0.1 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Lorient+0.4 pt | 24.7% | 25.2% | More houses: Lorient+0.4 pt |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Lorient+2.9 pts | 28.3% | 31.2% | More social housing: Lorient+2.9 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Brest+0.2 pt | 4.1% | 3.8% | More second homes: Brest+0.2 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Lorient+0.9 pt | 6.5% | 7.4% | More vacant homes: Lorient+0.9 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Lorient+4.8 pts | 43.83% | 48.61% | Higher rate: Lorient+4.8 pts |
| Vacant private homes share of private housingHigher share: Brest+0.7 pt | 7.3% | 6.6% | Higher share: Brest+0.7 pt |
Sources: DGFiP (DVF), Ministry of Housing (rent map), INSEE, census, Ministry for the Ecological Transition (SRU), DGFiP, local taxation, Ministry of Housing and Cerema (LOVAC)
Income and jobs
Residents’ income and jobs
| Criterion | Brest | Lorient | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Brest+0.9% | 24,030 | 23,810 | Higher: Brest+0.9% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Lorient+1.2 pt | 20.3% | 21.5% | Higher: Lorient+1.2 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Brest+0.5% | €26,140 | €26,017 | Higher: Brest+0.5% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Brest+1.4 pt | 46% | 44% | More taxpaying households: Brest+1.4 pt |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Lorient+2.0 pts | 70.0% | 72.0% | Higher: Lorient+2.0 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Lorient+0.6 pt | 13.5% | 14.1% | Higher: Lorient+0.6 pt |
| Average net monthly salary private-sector employees working in the townHigher: Brest+2% | €2,577 | €2,535 | Higher: Brest+2% |
| Active establishments per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lorient+46% | 74410,783 in total | 1,0866,499 in total | More per capita: Lorient+46% |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census, INSEE, all-employees database, INSEE, SIDE
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Brest | Lorient | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Stéphane Roudaut | Fabrice Loher | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 municipal elections) | Miscellaneous right (Divers droite) | Miscellaneous center (Divers centre) | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Brest+1.4 pt | 98% | 96% | Better covered: Brest+1.4 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Town finances
Town debt, taxes and spending
| Criterion | Brest | Lorient | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt per inhabitantHigher: Lorient4.1 times as high | €234 | €950 | Higher: Lorient4.1 times as high |
| Local taxes per inhabitant collected by the townHigher: Lorient+24% | €702 | €869 | Higher: Lorient+24% |
| Capital spending per inhabitantHigher: Lorient+78% | €275 | €489 | Higher: Lorient+78% |
| Operating expenses per inhabitantHigher: Lorient+56% | €1,009 | €1,575 | Higher: Lorient+56% |
Main budget of the town for the latest fiscal year published, in euros per inhabitant (DGF population). Source: DGFiP, town accounts
Elections
Turnout and results
| Criterion | Brest | Lorient | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turnout, 2022 presidential (1st round)Higher: Brest+0.7 pt | 71.7% | 71.0% | Higher: Brest+0.7 pt |
| Turnout, 2022 presidential (2nd round)Higher: Brest+0.2 pt | 69.7% | 69.5% | Higher: Brest+0.2 pt |
| First place, 2022 presidential (2nd round) | Emmanuel Macron, 69.8% | Emmanuel Macron, 68.4% | |
| Turnout, 2024 European electionsHigher: Brest+0.5 pt | 53.3% | 52.8% | Higher: Brest+0.5 pt |
| First place, 2024 European elections political label of the list | Union of the Left (Union de la gauche), 22.1% | National Rally (Rassemblement national), 23.1% |
Turnout: voters per 100 registered voters; first place: share of the valid votes in the town (blank and spoiled ballots excluded), with European lists shown under the political label assigned by the Ministry of the Interior. Source: Ministry of the Interior, elections
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Brest | Lorient | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Lorient+76% | 55.4803 in total | 97.6584 in total | More shops per capita: Lorient+76% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lorient+69% | 14.1205 in total | 23.9143 in total | More per capita: Lorient+69% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lorient+42% | 29.5427 in total | 41.9251 in total | More per capita: Lorient+42% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Brest+23% | 24.4354 in total | 19.9119 in total | More per capita: Brest+23% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lorient+5% | 1.623 in total | 1.710 in total | More per capita: Lorient+5% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lorient+21% | 2.130 in total | 2.515 in total | More per capita: Lorient+21% |
| Passenger train stationsTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Tourism and heritage
Hotels, campsites, monuments and stations
| Criterion | Brest | Lorient | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hotel roomsMore rooms: Brest3.0 times as high | 1,424 | 482 | More rooms: Brest3.0 times as high |
| CampsitesMore campsites: Brest+147 | 147 | 0 | More campsites: Brest+147 |
| Historic monumentsMore monuments: Brest+5 | 10 | 5 | More monuments: Brest+5 |
| Train station passengers per yearMore passengers: Brest+34% | 2,777,923 | 2,066,021 | More passengers: Brest+34% |
Sources: INSEE, tourist accommodation, Ministry of Culture (Mérimée), SNCF Gares & Connexions
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Brest | Lorient | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Brest+19% | 5.3 | 4.5 | Better access: Brest+19% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Brest+21% | 12.3178 in total | 10.261 in total | More per capita: Brest+21% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Brest+58% | 26.2379 in total | 16.599 in total | More per capita: Brest+58% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lorient+42% | 7.5109 in total | 10.764 in total | More per capita: Lorient+42% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lorient+55% | 2.536 in total | 3.823 in total | More per capita: Lorient+55% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Brest+7 | 18 | 11 | More facilities: Brest+7 |
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 | Brest | Lorient | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Brest+31 | 59 | 28 | More schools: Brest+31 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Brest+14 | 21 | 7 | More middle schools: Brest+14 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Brest+15 | 22 | 7 | More high schools: Brest+15 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Brest+24 | 40 | 16 | More facilities: Brest+24 |
| Brevet pass rate the town’s middle schools, latest sessionHigher rate: Brest+8.4 pts | 92.2% | 83.8% | Higher rate: Brest+8.4 pts |
| General and technological baccalaureate pass rate the town’s high schools, latest sessionHigher rate: Brest+1.2 pt | 98.4% | 97.2% | Higher rate: Brest+1.2 pt |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE), Ministry of Education (DEPP)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Brest | Lorient | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Brest+27% | 4.7 | 3.7 | Higher rate: Brest+27% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lorient+11% | 11.3 | 12.5 | Higher rate: Lorient+11% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lorient+28% | 4.6 | 5.9 | Higher rate: Lorient+28% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Brest+29% | 2.2 | 1.7 | Higher rate: Brest+29% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lorient+19% | 11.6 | 13.8 | Higher rate: Lorient+19% |
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 | Brest | Lorient | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Lorient+0.5 °C | 11.7°C | 12.2°C | Warmer: Lorient+0.5 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Lorient+20% | 1,555 | 1,865 | Sunnier: Lorient+20% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Brest+30% | 1,230 | 943 | Wetter: Brest+30% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Brest+29 days/year | 160 | 130 | More rainy days: Brest+29 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Lorient+8 days/year | 14 | 22 | More frost days: Lorient+8 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Lorient+2 days/year | 1 | 3 | More hot days: Lorient+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 | Brest | Lorient | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Brest+9 | 17 | 8 | More declarations: Brest+9 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Significant | Significant | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Brest | Lorient | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Brest2.8 times as high | 49.5 | 17.5 | Larger: Brest2.8 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Brest+48 m | 54 m | 6 m | Higher: Brest+48 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban center | Large urban center | Same |
| Department | Finistère (29) | Morbihan (56) | |
| Intercommunality | Brest Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération Lorient Agglomération | |
| Urban unit | Brest | Lorient | |
| Functional area | Brest | Lorient |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Brest vs Lorient at a glance
| Criterion | Brest | Lorient |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 144,890 | 59,856 |
| Change over 10 years | +2.1% | +0.6% |
| Density per km² | 2,926 | 3,424 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,087 | 2,499 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,397 | 2,906 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.2 | 13.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 43.83% | 48.61% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,030 | 23,810 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 13.5% | 14.1% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.3 | 4.5 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.7 | 3.7 |
| Average temperature | 11.7°C | 12.2°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,555 | 1,865 |
| Area km² | 49.5 | 17.5 |
| Debt per inhabitant | €234 | €950 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Brest vs Lorient: your questions
Which is the larger city, Brest or Lorient?
By population, Brest: 144,890 inhabitants versus 59,856 for Lorient (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Brest is the 26th largest city in France, Lorient the 101st. By area, Brest is also the larger (49.5 km²).
How far is Brest from Lorient?
Brest and Lorient are 111 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Brest or Lorient?
To buy an apartment, Lorient is more expensive: €2,499 per m² (median price), versus €2,087 in Brest (+20%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Brest or Lorient?
In Brest, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,030 a year, versus €23,810 in Lorient (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Brest or Lorient?
Lorient: 1,865 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,555 in Brest (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