2026 comparison
Challans vs La Roche-sur-Yon: 2026 comparison
La Roche-sur-Yon has more inhabitants than Challans: 57,683 versus 23,627, or 2.4 times as many. La Roche-sur-Yon is both larger (87.5 km² versus 64.8 km²) and more densely populated (659 inhabitants per km² versus 364).
The median apartment price is higher in Challans: €2,604 per m² versus €2,417. The median standard of living is higher in Challans (€25,830 a year versus €25,090).
The two cities are 37 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Challans
City in Vendée
- Population
- 23,627 inhab.
- 390th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 64.8 km²
- Density
- 364 per km²
La Roche-sur-Yon
City in Vendée
- Population
- 57,683 inhab.
- 106th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 87.5 km²
- Density
- 659 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
ChallansLa Roche-sur-Yon
| Criterion | Challans | La Roche-sur-Yon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: La Roche-sur-Yon2.4 times as high | 23,627 | 57,683 | More populous: La Roche-sur-Yon2.4 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Challans+9.6 pts | +9.8% | +0.2% | Stronger growth: Challans+9.6 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Challans+14 pts | +17.7% | +4.0% | Stronger growth: Challans+14 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: La Roche-sur-Yon+81% | 364 | 659 | Denser: La Roche-sur-Yon+81% |
| Under 15More young people: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.9 pt | 13.6% | 14.5% | More young people: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.9 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Challans+9.6 pts | 32.5% | 23.0% | More seniors: Challans+9.6 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Challans+0.11 | 1.99 | 1.88 | Larger households: Challans+0.11 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Challans | La Roche-sur-Yon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Challans+8% | 2,604 | 2,417 | More expensive: Challans+8% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Challans+11% | 2,667 | 2,403 | More expensive: Challans+11% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Challans+10% | 13.0 | 11.8 | More expensive: Challans+10% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedTie | 10.8 | 10.8 | Tie |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Challans+13 pts | 61.0% | 48.5% | More homeowners: Challans+13 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Challans+25 pts | 75.4% | 50.0% | More houses: Challans+25 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: La Roche-sur-Yon+18 pts | 12.0% | 29.8% | More social housing: La Roche-sur-Yon+18 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.7 pt | 3.0% | 3.7% | More second homes: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.7 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.3 pt | 6.3% | 6.6% | More vacant homes: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.3 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+11 pts | 40.01% | 51.05% | Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+11 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 | Challans | La Roche-sur-Yon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Challans+3% | 25,830 | 25,090 | Higher: Challans+3% |
| Poverty rateHigher: La Roche-sur-Yon+5.2 pts | 10.4% | 15.6% | Higher: La Roche-sur-Yon+5.2 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Challans+5% | €30,767 | €29,192 | Higher: Challans+5% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Challans+0.7 pt | 47% | 46% | More taxpaying households: Challans+0.7 pt |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Challans+3.2 pts | 76.0% | 72.8% | Higher: Challans+3.2 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Challans+0.1 pt | 11.4% | 11.3% | Higher: Challans+0.1 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Challans | La Roche-sur-Yon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Alexandre Huvet | Romain Bossis | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous centre | miscellaneous left | |
| Premises with fiberTie | 95% | 95% | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Challans | La Roche-sur-Yon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Challans+41% | 107.9255 in total | 76.5441 in total | More shops per capita: Challans+41% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Challans+32% | 22.954 in total | 17.3100 in total | More per capita: Challans+32% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+4% | 28.868 in total | 29.8172 in total | More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+4% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Challans+5% | 27.164 in total | 25.8149 in total | More per capita: Challans+5% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+33% | 1.74 in total | 2.313 in total | More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+33% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Challans+33% | 2.56 in total | 1.911 in total | More per capita: Challans+33% |
| 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 | Challans | La Roche-sur-Yon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: La Roche-sur-Yon+20% | 3.1 | 3.7 | Better access: La Roche-sur-Yon+20% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+3% | 8.019 in total | 8.348 in total | More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+3% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Challans+69% | 41.197 in total | 24.3140 in total | More per capita: Challans+69% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+11% | 8.520 in total | 9.454 in total | More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+11% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+9% | 2.56 in total | 2.816 in total | More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+9% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: La Roche-sur-Yon+6 | 4 | 10 | More facilities: La Roche-sur-Yon+6 |
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 | Challans | La Roche-sur-Yon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+27 | 9 | 36 | More schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+27 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+6 | 5 | 11 | More middle schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+6 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+12 | 4 | 16 | More high schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+12 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: La Roche-sur-Yon+18 | 1 | 19 | More facilities: La Roche-sur-Yon+18 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Challans | La Roche-sur-Yon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+15% | 4.0 | 4.6 | Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+15% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+53% | 6.2 | 9.5 | Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+53% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+79% | 2.7 | 4.8 | Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+79% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Challans+12% | 1.6 | 1.4 | Higher rate: Challans+12% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+29% | 8.8 | 11.4 | Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+29% |
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 | Challans | La Roche-sur-Yon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Challans+0.4 °C | 12.8°C | 12.4°C | Warmer: Challans+0.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,922 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: La Roche-sur-Yon+16% | 762 | 886 | Wetter: La Roche-sur-Yon+16% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: La Roche-sur-Yon+6 days/year | 116 | 122 | More rainy days: La Roche-sur-Yon+6 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: La Roche-sur-Yon+7 days/year | 26 | 33 | More frost days: La Roche-sur-Yon+7 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: La Roche-sur-Yon+4 days/year | 8 | 11 | More hot days: La Roche-sur-Yon+4 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 | Challans | La Roche-sur-Yon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: La Roche-sur-Yon+5 | 14 | 19 | More declarations: La Roche-sur-Yon+5 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Low, with aggravating factors | Significant |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Challans | La Roche-sur-Yon | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: La Roche-sur-Yon+35% | 64.8 | 87.5 | Larger: La Roche-sur-Yon+35% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: La Roche-sur-Yon+60 m | 12 m | 71 m | Higher: La Roche-sur-Yon+60 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Urban belt | Intermediate urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Vendée (85) | Vendée (85) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté de communes Challans-Gois Communauté | Communauté d'agglomération La Roche-sur-Yon Agglomération | |
| Urban unit | Challans | La Roche-sur-Yon | |
| Functional area | Challans | La Roche-sur-Yon |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Challans vs La Roche-sur-Yon at a glance
| Criterion | Challans | La Roche-sur-Yon |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 23,627 | 57,683 |
| Change over 10 years | +17.7% | +4.0% |
| Density per km² | 364 | 659 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,604 | 2,417 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,667 | 2,403 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.0 | 11.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 40.01% | 51.05% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,830 | 25,090 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.4% | 11.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.1 | 3.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.0 | 4.6 |
| Average temperature | 12.8°C | 12.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,922 |
| Area km² | 64.8 | 87.5 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
Challans vs La Roche-sur-Yon: your questions
Which is the larger city, Challans or La Roche-sur-Yon?
By population, La Roche-sur-Yon: 57,683 inhabitants versus 23,627 for Challans (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). La Roche-sur-Yon is the 106th largest city in France, Challans the 390th. By area, La Roche-sur-Yon is also the larger (87.5 km²).
How far is Challans from La Roche-sur-Yon?
Challans and La Roche-sur-Yon are 37 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Vendée).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Challans or La Roche-sur-Yon?
To buy an apartment, Challans is more expensive: €2,604 per m² (median price), versus €2,417 in La Roche-sur-Yon (+8%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Challans or La Roche-sur-Yon?
In Challans, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,830 a year, versus €25,090 in La Roche-sur-Yon (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Challans and La Roche-sur-Yon in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Vendée (85), in the Pays de la Loire region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures