2026 comparison
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs Saint-Lô: 2026 comparison
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin has more inhabitants than Saint-Lô: 80,317 versus 20,213, or 4.0 times as many. Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is both larger (68.5 km² versus 23.2 km²) and more densely populated (1,172 inhabitants per km² versus 872).
The median apartment price is higher in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin: €2,192 per m² versus €1,491. The median standard of living is higher in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (€25,450 a year versus €23,360).
The two cities are 70 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
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
Saint-Lô
City in Manche
- Population
- 20,213 inhab.
- 488th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 23.2 km²
- Density
- 872 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Cherbourg-en-CotentinSaint-Lô
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Lô | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin4.0 times as high | 80,317 | 20,213 | More populous: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin4.0 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Lô+3.5 pts | −1.1% | +2.3% | Stronger growth: Saint-Lô+3.5 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Lô+4.3 pts | −3.4% | +1.0% | Stronger growth: Saint-Lô+4.3 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+34% | 1,172 | 872 | Denser: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+34% |
| Under 15More young people: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.9 pt | 15.1% | 14.2% | More young people: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.9 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Lô+2.2 pts | 21.9% | 24.1% | More seniors: Saint-Lô+2.2 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.13 | 1.90 | 1.77 | Larger households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.13 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Lô | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+47% | 2,192 | 1,491 | More expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+47% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+35% | 2,296 | 1,703 | More expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+35% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+17% | 12.6 | 10.8 | More expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+17% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+36% | 10.5 | 7.7 | More expensive: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+36% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8.2 pts | 44.6% | 36.4% | More homeowners: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8.2 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+7.8 pts | 50.2% | 42.4% | More houses: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+7.8 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Lô+5.1 pts | 41.2% | 46.3% | More social housing: Saint-Lô+5.1 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+1.4 pt | 3.6% | 2.2% | More second homes: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+1.4 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Lô+0.5 pt | 5.9% | 6.4% | More vacant homes: Saint-Lô+0.5 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+6.1 pts | 52.57% | 46.51% | Higher rate: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+6.1 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 | Saint-Lô | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+9% | 25,450 | 23,360 | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+9% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Lô+6.1 pts | 14.9% | 21.0% | Higher: Saint-Lô+6.1 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+19% | €29,269 | €24,520 | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+19% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8.3 pts | 49% | 41% | More taxpaying households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8.3 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+2.4 pts | 75.5% | 73.1% | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+2.4 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Lô+3.3 pts | 11.0% | 14.3% | Higher: Saint-Lô+3.3 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Lô | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Camille Margueritte | Emmanuelle Lejeune | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous centre | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Lô+3.8 pts | 95% | 99% | Better covered: Saint-Lô+3.8 pts |
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 | Saint-Lô | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Lô+56% | 66.4533 in total | 103.4209 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Lô+56% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Lô+28% | 19.3155 in total | 24.750 in total | More per capita: Saint-Lô+28% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Lô+68% | 22.7182 in total | 38.177 in total | More per capita: Saint-Lô+68% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Lô+53% | 19.4156 in total | 29.760 in total | More per capita: Saint-Lô+53% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Lô+99% | 2.218 in total | 4.59 in total | More per capita: Saint-Lô+99% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Lô+55% | 2.923 in total | 4.59 in total | More per capita: Saint-Lô+55% |
| 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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Lô | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Lô+22% | 3.4 | 4.2 | Better access: Saint-Lô+22% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Lô+12% | 8.064 in total | 8.918 in total | More per capita: Saint-Lô+12% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Lô2.7 times as high | 9.274 in total | 25.251 in total | More per capita: Saint-Lô2.7 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+13% | 4.536 in total | 4.08 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+13% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Lô+32% | 3.024 in total | 4.08 in total | More per capita: Saint-Lô+32% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+4 | 11 | 7 | More facilities: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Lô | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+40 | 47 | 7 | More schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+40 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8 | 13 | 5 | More middle schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5 | 10 | 5 | More high schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8 | 13 | 5 | More facilities: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Lô | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Lô2.9 times as high | 1.8 | 5.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Lô2.9 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+6% | 6.3 | 5.9 | Higher rate: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+6% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Lô+41% | 2.8 | 4.0 | Higher rate: Saint-Lô+41% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Lô2.0 times as high | 0.6 | 1.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Lô2.0 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Lô+69% | 9.0 | 15.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Lô+69% |
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 | Saint-Lô | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.8 °C | 12.1°C | 11.3°C | Warmer: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.8 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.8% | 964 | 957 | Wetter: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.8% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Lô+10 days/year | 135 | 144 | More rainy days: Saint-Lô+10 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Lô+47 days/year | 5 | 51 | More frost days: Saint-Lô+47 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Lô+5 days/year | 0 | 6 | More hot days: Saint-Lô+5 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 | Saint-Lô | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+3 | 13 | 10 | More declarations: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+3 |
| 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 | Saint-Lô | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin3.0 times as high | 68.5 | 23.2 | Larger: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin3.0 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Lô+29 m | 6 m | 35 m | Higher: Saint-Lô+29 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Manche (50) | Manche (50) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération du Cotentin | Communauté d'agglomération Saint-Lô Agglo | |
| Urban unit | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Lô | |
| Functional area | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Lô |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs Saint-Lô at a glance
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Lô |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 80,317 | 20,213 |
| Change over 10 years | −3.4% | +1.0% |
| Density per km² | 1,172 | 872 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,192 | 1,491 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,296 | 1,703 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.6 | 10.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 52.57% | 46.51% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,450 | 23,360 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.0% | 14.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 99% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.4 | 4.2 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 1.8 | 5.3 |
| Average temperature | 12.1°C | 11.3°C |
| Area km² | 68.5 | 23.2 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs Saint-Lô: your questions
Which is the larger city, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or Saint-Lô?
By population, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin: 80,317 inhabitants versus 20,213 for Saint-Lô (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is the 63rd largest city in France, Saint-Lô the 488th. By area, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is also the larger (68.5 km²).
How far is Cherbourg-en-Cotentin from Saint-Lô?
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and Saint-Lô are 70 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Manche).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or Saint-Lô?
To buy an apartment, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is more expensive: €2,192 per m² (median price), versus €1,491 in Saint-Lô (+47%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or Saint-Lô?
In Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,450 a year, versus €23,360 in Saint-Lô (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and Saint-Lô in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Manche (50), in the Normandy region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures