2026 comparison
Challans vs Montaigu-Vendée: 2026 comparison
Challans has more inhabitants than Montaigu-Vendée: 23,627 versus 21,789, or 8.4% more. Montaigu-Vendée covers a larger area (117 km² versus 64.8 km²), but Challans is more densely populated: 364 inhabitants per km² versus 187.
The median apartment price is higher in Montaigu-Vendée: €2,703 per m² versus €2,604. The median standard of living is higher in Montaigu-Vendée (€27,250 a year versus €25,830).
The two cities are 45 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
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Montaigu-Vendée
City in Vendée
- Population
- 21,789 inhab.
- 438th in France · 4th in its department
- Area
- 117 km²
- Density
- 187 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
ChallansMontaigu-Vendée
| Criterion | Challans | Montaigu-Vendée | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Challans+8% | 23,627 | 21,789 | More populous: Challans+8% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Challans+5.3 pts | +9.8% | +4.5% | Stronger growth: Challans+5.3 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Challans+9.8 pts | +17.7% | +7.9% | Stronger growth: Challans+9.8 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Challans+95% | 364 | 187 | Denser: Challans+95% |
| Under 15More young people: Montaigu-Vendée+4.7 pts | 13.6% | 18.3% | More young people: Montaigu-Vendée+4.7 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Challans+14 pts | 32.5% | 18.4% | More seniors: Challans+14 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Montaigu-Vendée+0.27 | 1.99 | 2.26 | Larger households: Montaigu-Vendée+0.27 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Challans | Montaigu-Vendée | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Montaigu-Vendée+4% | 2,604 | 2,703 | More expensive: Montaigu-Vendée+4% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Challans+14% | 2,667 | 2,345 | More expensive: Challans+14% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Montaigu-Vendée+3% | 13.0 | 13.5 | More expensive: Montaigu-Vendée+3% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Challans+7% | 10.8 | 10.1 | More expensive: Challans+7% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Montaigu-Vendée+9.2 pts | 61.0% | 70.2% | More homeowners: Montaigu-Vendée+9.2 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Montaigu-Vendée+8.9 pts | 75.4% | 84.4% | More houses: Montaigu-Vendée+8.9 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Challans+0.9 pt | 12.0% | 11.1% | More social housing: Challans+0.9 pt |
| Second homesMore second homes: Challans+1.7 pt | 3.0% | 1.3% | More second homes: Challans+1.7 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Challans+2.4 pts | 6.3% | 3.9% | More vacant homes: Challans+2.4 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Montaigu-Vendée+0.4 pt | 40.01% | 40.39% | Higher rate: Montaigu-Vendée+0.4 pt |
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 | Montaigu-Vendée | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Montaigu-Vendée+5% | 25,830 | 27,250 | Higher: Montaigu-Vendée+5% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Challans+4.0 pts | 10.4% | 6.4% | Higher: Challans+4.0 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Montaigu-Vendée+31% | €30,767 | €40,228 | Higher: Montaigu-Vendée+31% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Montaigu-Vendée+6.5 pts | 47% | 53% | More taxpaying households: Montaigu-Vendée+6.5 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Montaigu-Vendée+4.6 pts | 76.0% | 80.7% | Higher: Montaigu-Vendée+4.6 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Challans+5.6 pts | 11.4% | 5.8% | Higher: Challans+5.6 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Challans | Montaigu-Vendée | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Alexandre Huvet | Florent Limouzin | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous centre | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Montaigu-Vendée+1.3 pt | 95% | 96% | Better covered: Montaigu-Vendée+1.3 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Challans | Montaigu-Vendée | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Challans+73% | 107.9255 in total | 62.4136 in total | More shops per capita: Challans+73% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Challans+38% | 22.954 in total | 16.536 in total | More per capita: Challans+38% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Challans+74% | 28.868 in total | 16.536 in total | More per capita: Challans+74% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Challans+2% | 27.164 in total | 26.658 in total | More per capita: Challans+2% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montaigu-Vendée+63% | 1.74 in total | 2.86 in total | More per capita: Montaigu-Vendée+63% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Challans+38% | 2.56 in total | 1.84 in total | More per capita: Challans+38% |
| 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 | Montaigu-Vendée | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Montaigu-Vendée+10% | 3.1 | 3.4 | Better access: Montaigu-Vendée+10% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montaigu-Vendée+14% | 8.019 in total | 9.220 in total | More per capita: Montaigu-Vendée+14% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Challans4.5 times as high | 41.197 in total | 9.220 in total | More per capita: Challans4.5 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Challans+15% | 8.520 in total | 7.316 in total | More per capita: Challans+15% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montaigu-Vendée+8% | 2.56 in total | 2.86 in total | More per capita: Montaigu-Vendée+8% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Challans+1 | 4 | 3 | More facilities: Challans+1 |
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 | Montaigu-Vendée | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Montaigu-Vendée+2 | 9 | 11 | More schools: Montaigu-Vendée+2 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Montaigu-Vendée+1 | 5 | 6 | More middle schools: Montaigu-Vendée+1 |
| High schoolsTie | 4 | 4 | Tie |
| Higher education institutions and programsTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Challans | Montaigu-Vendée | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Challans+3% | 4.0 | 3.9 | Higher rate: Challans+3% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Challans+65% | 6.2 | 3.8 | Higher rate: Challans+65% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Challans+81% | 2.7 | 1.5 | Higher rate: Challans+81% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Montaigu-Vendée+9% | 1.6 | 1.7 | Higher rate: Montaigu-Vendée+9% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Challans+97% | 8.8 | 4.5 | Higher rate: Challans+97% |
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 | Montaigu-Vendée | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Challans+0.4 °C | 12.8°C | 12.4°C | Warmer: Challans+0.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,873 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Montaigu-Vendée+9% | 762 | 831 | Wetter: Montaigu-Vendée+9% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Montaigu-Vendée+5 days/year | 116 | 120 | More rainy days: Montaigu-Vendée+5 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Montaigu-Vendée+13 days/year | 26 | 39 | More frost days: Montaigu-Vendée+13 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Montaigu-Vendée+8 days/year | 8 | 16 | More hot days: Montaigu-Vendée+8 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 | Montaigu-Vendée | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Montaigu-Vendée+5 | 14 | 19 | More declarations: Montaigu-Vendée+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 | Montaigu-Vendée | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Montaigu-Vendée+80% | 64.8 | 117 | Larger: Montaigu-Vendée+80% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Montaigu-Vendée+25 m | 12 m | 37 m | Higher: Montaigu-Vendée+25 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Urban belt | Urban belt | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Vendée (85) | Vendée (85) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté de communes Challans-Gois Communauté | Communauté d'agglomération Terres de Montaigu | |
| Urban unit | Challans | Montaigu-Vendée | |
| Functional area | Challans | Montaigu-Vendée |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Challans vs Montaigu-Vendée at a glance
| Criterion | Challans | Montaigu-Vendée |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 23,627 | 21,789 |
| Change over 10 years | +17.7% | +7.9% |
| Density per km² | 364 | 187 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,604 | 2,703 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,667 | 2,345 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.0 | 13.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 40.01% | 40.39% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,830 | 27,250 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.4% | 5.8% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.1 | 3.4 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.0 | 3.9 |
| Average temperature | 12.8°C | 12.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,873 |
| Area km² | 64.8 | 117 |
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FAQ
Challans vs Montaigu-Vendée: your questions
Which is the larger city, Challans or Montaigu-Vendée?
By population, Challans: 23,627 inhabitants versus 21,789 for Montaigu-Vendée (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Challans is the 390th largest city in France, Montaigu-Vendée the 438th. By area, Montaigu-Vendée is the larger (117 km²).
How far is Challans from Montaigu-Vendée?
Challans and Montaigu-Vendée are 45 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 Montaigu-Vendée?
To buy an apartment, Montaigu-Vendée is more expensive: €2,703 per m² (median price), versus €2,604 in Challans (+4%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Challans or Montaigu-Vendée?
In Montaigu-Vendée, half of the residents have a standard of living above €27,250 a year, versus €25,830 in Challans (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Challans and Montaigu-Vendée 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