2026 comparison
Gap vs Romans-sur-Isère: 2026 comparison
Gap has more inhabitants than Romans-sur-Isère: 42,685 versus 34,176, or 25% more. Gap covers a larger area (110 km² versus 33.1 km²), but Romans-sur-Isère is more densely populated: 1,033 inhabitants per km² versus 387.
The median apartment price is higher in Gap: €2,280 per m² versus €1,649. The median standard of living is higher in Gap (€25,410 a year versus €23,200).
The two cities are 96 km apart as the crow flies.
© Le corrigateur, CC BY-SA 4.0
Gap
City in Hautes-Alpes
FHautes-Alpes05Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Population
- 42,685 inhab.
- 184th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 110 km²
- Density
- 387 per km²
Romans-sur-Isère
City in Drôme
- Population
- 34,176 inhab.
- 245th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 33.1 km²
- Density
- 1,033 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
GapRomans-sur-Isère
| Criterion | Gap | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Gap+25% | 42,685 | 34,176 | More populous: Gap+25% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Gap+0.9 pt | +1.8% | +0.9% | Stronger growth: Gap+0.9 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Gap+3.1 pts | +2.6% | −0.5% | Stronger growth: Gap+3.1 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Romans-sur-Isère2.7 times as high | 387 | 1,033 | Denser: Romans-sur-Isère2.7 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Romans-sur-Isère+0.7 pt | 15.2% | 15.9% | More young people: Romans-sur-Isère+0.7 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Gap+1.4 pt | 26.2% | 24.7% | More seniors: Gap+1.4 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Romans-sur-Isère+0.03 | 1.93 | 1.96 | Larger households: Romans-sur-Isère+0.03 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Gap | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Gap+38% | 2,280 | 1,649 | More expensive: Gap+38% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Gap+35% | 3,101 | 2,299 | More expensive: Gap+35% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Gap+17% | 12.4 | 10.6 | More expensive: Gap+17% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Gap+29% | 12.8 | 9.9 | More expensive: Gap+29% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Gap+0.6 pt | 51.5% | 50.9% | More homeowners: Gap+0.6 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Romans-sur-Isère+6.2 pts | 33.5% | 39.6% | More houses: Romans-sur-Isère+6.2 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Romans-sur-Isère+8.5 pts | 20.2% | 28.7% | More social housing: Romans-sur-Isère+8.5 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Gap+2.2 pts | 4.0% | 1.8% | More second homes: Gap+2.2 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Romans-sur-Isère+2.5 pts | 8.1% | 10.7% | More vacant homes: Romans-sur-Isère+2.5 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Gap+13 pts | 62.05% | 49.00% | Higher rate: Gap+13 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 | Gap | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Gap+10% | 25,410 | 23,200 | Higher: Gap+10% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Romans-sur-Isère+6.5 pts | 14.8% | 21.3% | Higher: Romans-sur-Isère+6.5 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Gap+10% | €29,225 | €26,610 | Higher: Gap+10% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Gap+6.8 pts | 47% | 41% | More taxpaying households: Gap+6.8 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Gap+0.3 pt | 75.4% | 75.1% | Higher: Gap+0.3 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Romans-sur-Isère+4.8 pts | 11.3% | 16.1% | Higher: Romans-sur-Isère+4.8 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Gap | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Roger Didier | Marie-Hélène Thoraval | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Romans-sur-Isère+0.6 pt | 96% | 97% | Better covered: Romans-sur-Isère+0.6 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Gap | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Romans-sur-Isère+4% | 94.2402 in total | 98.3336 in total | More shops per capita: Romans-sur-Isère+4% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère+1% | 24.8106 in total | 25.286 in total | More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère+1% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Gap+7% | 41.5177 in total | 38.6132 in total | More per capita: Gap+7% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Gap+28% | 32.1137 in total | 25.286 in total | More per capita: Gap+28% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère+25% | 2.611 in total | 3.211 in total | More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère+25% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Gap3.5 times as high | 3.013 in total | 0.93 in total | More per capita: Gap3.5 times as high |
| 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 | Gap | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Gap+23% | 5.0 | 4.0 | Better access: Gap+23% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Gap+98% | 13.457 in total | 6.723 in total | More per capita: Gap+98% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Gap2.3 times as high | 27.2116 in total | 11.740 in total | More per capita: Gap2.3 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Gap+52% | 8.938 in total | 5.920 in total | More per capita: Gap+52% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Gap+4% | 3.013 in total | 2.910 in total | More per capita: Gap+4% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Gap+5 | 9 | 4 | More facilities: Gap+5 |
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 | Gap | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Gap+2 | 24 | 22 | More schools: Gap+2 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Romans-sur-Isère+2 | 6 | 8 | More middle schools: Romans-sur-Isère+2 |
| High schoolsTie | 6 | 6 | Tie |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Gap+3 | 5 | 2 | More facilities: Gap+3 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Gap | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Romans-sur-Isère+11% | 3.8 | 4.2 | Higher rate: Romans-sur-Isère+11% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Gap+14% | 8.5 | 7.5 | Higher rate: Gap+14% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Gap+10% | 3.6 | 3.3 | Higher rate: Gap+10% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Romans-sur-Isère2.2 times as high | 0.9 | 2.0 | Higher rate: Romans-sur-Isère2.2 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Gap+14% | 9.6 | 8.4 | Higher rate: Gap+14% |
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 | Gap | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Romans-sur-Isère+1.6 °C | 11.5°C | 13.1°C | Warmer: Romans-sur-Isère+1.6 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Romans-sur-Isère+2% | 863 | 877 | Wetter: Romans-sur-Isère+2% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Romans-sur-Isère+9 days/year | 84 | 92 | More rainy days: Romans-sur-Isère+9 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Gap+27 days/year | 76 | 49 | More frost days: Gap+27 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Romans-sur-Isère+11 days/year | 28 | 40 | More hot days: Romans-sur-Isère+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 | Gap | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Romans-sur-Isère+4 | 10 | 14 | More declarations: Romans-sur-Isère+4 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Gap+1 | 1 | 0 | More plans: Gap+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Gap | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Gap3.3 times as high | 110 | 33.1 | Larger: Gap3.3 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Gap+575 m | 731 m | 156 m | Higher: Gap+575 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| Department | Hautes-Alpes (05) | Drôme (26) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Gap-Tallard-Durance | Communauté d'agglomération Valence Romans Agglo | |
| Urban unit | Gap | Romans-sur-Isère | |
| Functional area | Gap | Romans-sur-Isère |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Gap vs Romans-sur-Isère at a glance
| Criterion | Gap | Romans-sur-Isère |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 42,685 | 34,176 |
| Change over 10 years | +2.6% | −0.5% |
| Density per km² | 387 | 1,033 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,280 | 1,649 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,101 | 2,299 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.4 | 10.6 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 62.05% | 49.00% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,410 | 23,200 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.3% | 16.1% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 3.8 | 4.2 |
| Average temperature | 11.5°C | 13.1°C |
| Area km² | 110 | 33.1 |
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FAQ
Gap vs Romans-sur-Isère: your questions
Which is the larger city, Gap or Romans-sur-Isère?
By population, Gap: 42,685 inhabitants versus 34,176 for Romans-sur-Isère (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Gap is the 184th largest city in France, Romans-sur-Isère the 245th. By area, Gap is also the larger (110 km²).
How far is Gap from Romans-sur-Isère?
Gap and Romans-sur-Isère are 96 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Gap or Romans-sur-Isère?
To buy an apartment, Gap is more expensive: €2,280 per m² (median price), versus €1,649 in Romans-sur-Isère (+38%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Gap or Romans-sur-Isère?
In Gap, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,410 a year, versus €23,200 in Romans-sur-Isère (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Gap and Romans-sur-Isère in the same department?
No: Gap is in Hautes-Alpes (05), in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, and Romans-sur-Isère in Drôme (26), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures