2026 comparison
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs La Rochelle (17): 2026 comparison
La Rochelle has more inhabitants than Cherbourg-en-Cotentin: 81,843 versus 80,317, or 1.9% more. Cherbourg-en-Cotentin covers a larger area (68.5 km² versus 28.4 km²), but La Rochelle is more densely populated: 2,879 inhabitants per km² versus 1,172.
The median apartment price is higher in La Rochelle: €4,960 per m² versus €2,192. The median standard of living is higher in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (€25,450 a year versus €24,960).
The two cities are 387 km apart as the crow flies.
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
City in Manche
- Population
- 80,317 inhab.
- 63rd in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 68.5 km²
- Density
- 1,172 per km²
La Rochelle
City in Charente-Maritime
FCharente-Maritime17Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Population
- 81,843 inhab.
- 62nd in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 28.4 km²
- Density
- 2,879 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Cherbourg-en-CotentinLa Rochelle
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: La Rochelle+2% | 80,317 | 81,843 | More populous: La Rochelle+2% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: La Rochelle+6.0 pts | −1.1% | +4.9% | Stronger growth: La Rochelle+6.0 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: La Rochelle+11 pts | −3.4% | +7.4% | Stronger growth: La Rochelle+11 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: La Rochelle2.5 times as high | 1,172 | 2,879 | Denser: La Rochelle2.5 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+2.5 pts | 15.1% | 12.6% | More young people: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+2.5 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: La Rochelle+3.2 pts | 21.9% | 25.1% | More seniors: La Rochelle+3.2 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.18 | 1.90 | 1.72 | Larger households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.18 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: La Rochelle2.3 times as high | 2,192 | 4,960 | More expensive: La Rochelle2.3 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: La Rochelle+92% | 2,296 | 4,412 | More expensive: La Rochelle+92% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: La Rochelle+17% | 12.6 | 14.7 | More expensive: La Rochelle+17% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: La Rochelle+39% | 10.5 | 14.6 | More expensive: La Rochelle+39% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+7.4 pts | 44.6% | 37.1% | More homeowners: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+7.4 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+20 pts | 50.2% | 30.0% | More houses: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+20 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+11 pts | 41.2% | 30.1% | More social housing: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+11 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: La Rochelle+11 pts | 3.6% | 14.1% | More second homes: La Rochelle+11 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: La Rochelle+0.4 pt | 5.9% | 6.3% | More vacant homes: La Rochelle+0.4 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: La Rochelle+2.7 pts | 52.57% | 55.25% | Higher rate: La Rochelle+2.7 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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+2% | 25,450 | 24,960 | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+2% |
| Poverty rateHigher: La Rochelle+5.0 pts | 14.9% | 19.9% | Higher: La Rochelle+5.0 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: La Rochelle+3% | €29,269 | €30,162 | Higher: La Rochelle+3% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+3.3 pts | 49% | 46% | More taxpaying households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+3.3 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5.9 pts | 75.5% | 69.7% | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5.9 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: La Rochelle+3.4 pts | 11.0% | 14.4% | Higher: La Rochelle+3.4 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Camille Margueritte | Olivier Falorni | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | 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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: La Rochelle+32% | 66.4533 in total | 87.7718 in total | More shops per capita: La Rochelle+32% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Rochelle+26% | 19.3155 in total | 24.3199 in total | More per capita: La Rochelle+26% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Rochelle2.5 times as high | 22.7182 in total | 56.1459 in total | More per capita: La Rochelle2.5 times as high |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Rochelle+43% | 19.4156 in total | 27.7227 in total | More per capita: La Rochelle+43% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Rochelle+31% | 2.218 in total | 2.924 in total | More per capita: La Rochelle+31% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Rochelle+83% | 2.923 in total | 5.343 in total | More per capita: La Rochelle+83% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: La Rochelle+1 | 1 | 2 | More stations: La Rochelle+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: La Rochelle+69% | 3.4 | 5.8 | Better access: La Rochelle+69% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Rochelle2.2 times as high | 8.064 in total | 17.7145 in total | More per capita: La Rochelle2.2 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Rochelle2.8 times as high | 9.274 in total | 26.1214 in total | More per capita: La Rochelle2.8 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Rochelle2.2 times as high | 4.536 in total | 10.082 in total | More per capita: La Rochelle2.2 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Rochelle+19% | 3.024 in total | 3.529 in total | More per capita: La Rochelle+19% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: La Rochelle+2 | 11 | 13 | More facilities: La Rochelle+2 |
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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+10 | 47 | 37 | More schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+10 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+4 | 13 | 9 | More middle schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+4 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: La Rochelle+4 | 10 | 14 | More high schools: La Rochelle+4 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: La Rochelle+7 | 13 | 20 | More facilities: La Rochelle+7 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: La Rochelle2.2 times as high | 1.8 | 4.0 | Higher rate: La Rochelle2.2 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Rochelle2.7 times as high | 6.3 | 16.7 | Higher rate: La Rochelle2.7 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Rochelle+73% | 2.8 | 4.9 | Higher rate: La Rochelle+73% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Rochelle3.2 times as high | 0.6 | 2.0 | Higher rate: La Rochelle3.2 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Rochelle+57% | 9.0 | 14.1 | Higher rate: La Rochelle+57% |
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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: La Rochelle+1.4 °C | 12.1°C | 13.5°C | Warmer: La Rochelle+1.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,303 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+28% | 964 | 754 | Wetter: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+28% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+21 days/year | 135 | 114 | More rainy days: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+21 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: La Rochelle+15 days/year | 5 | 19 | More frost days: La Rochelle+15 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: La Rochelle+11 days/year | 0 | 11 | More hot days: La Rochelle+11 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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: La Rochelle+8 | 13 | 21 | More declarations: La Rochelle+8 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin2.4 times as high | 68.5 | 28.4 | Larger: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin2.4 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: La Rochelle+1 m | 6 m | 7 m | Higher: La Rochelle+1 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Manche (50) | Charente-Maritime (17) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération du Cotentin | Communauté d'agglomération de La Rochelle | |
| Urban unit | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | La Rochelle | |
| Functional area | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | La Rochelle |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs La Rochelle (17) at a glance
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | La Rochelle |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 80,317 | 81,843 |
| Change over 10 years | −3.4% | +7.4% |
| Density per km² | 1,172 | 2,879 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,192 | 4,960 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,296 | 4,412 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.6 | 14.7 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 52.57% | 55.25% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,450 | 24,960 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.0% | 14.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.4 | 5.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 1.8 | 4.0 |
| Average temperature | 12.1°C | 13.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,303 |
| Area km² | 68.5 | 28.4 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs La Rochelle (17): your questions
Which is the larger city, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or La Rochelle?
By population, La Rochelle: 81,843 inhabitants versus 80,317 for Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). La Rochelle is the 62nd largest city in France, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin the 63rd. By area, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is the larger (68.5 km²).
How far is Cherbourg-en-Cotentin from La Rochelle?
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and La Rochelle are 387 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or La Rochelle?
To buy an apartment, La Rochelle is more expensive: €4,960 per m² (median price), versus €2,192 in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (+126%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or La Rochelle?
In Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,450 a year, versus €24,960 in La Rochelle (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and La Rochelle in the same department?
No: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is in Manche (50), in the Normandy region, and La Rochelle in Charente-Maritime (17), in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures