2026 comparison
La Roche-sur-Yon vs La Rochelle (17): 2026 comparison
La Rochelle has more inhabitants than La Roche-sur-Yon: 81,843 versus 57,683, or 42% more. La Roche-sur-Yon covers a larger area (87.5 km² versus 28.4 km²), but La Rochelle is more densely populated: 2,879 inhabitants per km² versus 659.
The median apartment price is higher in La Rochelle: €4,960 per m² versus €2,417. The median standard of living is higher in La Roche-sur-Yon (€25,090 a year versus €24,960).
The two cities are 59 km apart as the crow flies.
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
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
La Roche-sur-YonLa Rochelle
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: La Rochelle+42% | 57,683 | 81,843 | More populous: La Rochelle+42% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: La Rochelle+4.8 pts | +0.2% | +4.9% | Stronger growth: La Rochelle+4.8 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: La Rochelle+3.4 pts | +4.0% | +7.4% | Stronger growth: La Rochelle+3.4 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: La Rochelle4.4 times as high | 659 | 2,879 | Denser: La Rochelle4.4 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: La Roche-sur-Yon+1.9 pt | 14.5% | 12.6% | More young people: La Roche-sur-Yon+1.9 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: La Rochelle+2.1 pts | 23.0% | 25.1% | More seniors: La Rochelle+2.1 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.16 | 1.88 | 1.72 | Larger households: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.16 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: La Rochelle2.1 times as high | 2,417 | 4,960 | More expensive: La Rochelle2.1 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: La Rochelle+84% | 2,403 | 4,412 | More expensive: La Rochelle+84% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: La Rochelle+25% | 11.8 | 14.7 | More expensive: La Rochelle+25% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: La Rochelle+35% | 10.8 | 14.6 | More expensive: La Rochelle+35% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: La Roche-sur-Yon+11 pts | 48.5% | 37.1% | More homeowners: La Roche-sur-Yon+11 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: La Roche-sur-Yon+20 pts | 50.0% | 30.0% | More houses: La Roche-sur-Yon+20 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: La Rochelle+0.3 pt | 29.8% | 30.1% | More social housing: La Rochelle+0.3 pt |
| Second homesMore second homes: La Rochelle+10 pts | 3.7% | 14.1% | More second homes: La Rochelle+10 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.3 pt | 6.6% | 6.3% | More vacant homes: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.3 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: La Rochelle+4.2 pts | 51.05% | 55.25% | Higher rate: La Rochelle+4.2 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 | La Roche-sur-Yon | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.5% | 25,090 | 24,960 | Higher: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.5% |
| Poverty rateHigher: La Rochelle+4.3 pts | 15.6% | 19.9% | Higher: La Rochelle+4.3 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: La Rochelle+3% | €29,192 | €30,162 | Higher: La Rochelle+3% |
| Households paying income taxTie | 46% | 46% | Tie |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: La Roche-sur-Yon+3.1 pts | 72.8% | 69.7% | Higher: La Roche-sur-Yon+3.1 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: La Rochelle+3.1 pts | 11.3% | 14.4% | Higher: La Rochelle+3.1 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Romain Bossis | Olivier Falorni | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous left | miscellaneous left | Same |
| 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 | La Roche-sur-Yon | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: La Rochelle+15% | 76.5441 in total | 87.7718 in total | More shops per capita: La Rochelle+15% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Rochelle+40% | 17.3100 in total | 24.3199 in total | More per capita: La Rochelle+40% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Rochelle+88% | 29.8172 in total | 56.1459 in total | More per capita: La Rochelle+88% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Rochelle+7% | 25.8149 in total | 27.7227 in total | More per capita: La Rochelle+7% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Rochelle+30% | 2.313 in total | 2.924 in total | More per capita: La Rochelle+30% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Rochelle2.8 times as high | 1.911 in total | 5.343 in total | More per capita: La Rochelle2.8 times as high |
| 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 | La Roche-sur-Yon | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: La Rochelle+55% | 3.7 | 5.8 | Better access: La Rochelle+55% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Rochelle2.1 times as high | 8.348 in total | 17.7145 in total | More per capita: La Rochelle2.1 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Rochelle+8% | 24.3140 in total | 26.1214 in total | More per capita: La Rochelle+8% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Rochelle+7% | 9.454 in total | 10.082 in total | More per capita: La Rochelle+7% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Rochelle+28% | 2.816 in total | 3.529 in total | More per capita: La Rochelle+28% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: La Rochelle+3 | 10 | 13 | More facilities: La Rochelle+3 |
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 | La Roche-sur-Yon | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: La Rochelle+1 | 36 | 37 | More schools: La Rochelle+1 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+2 | 11 | 9 | More middle schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+2 | 16 | 14 | More high schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+2 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: La Rochelle+1 | 19 | 20 | More facilities: La Rochelle+1 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+17% | 4.6 | 4.0 | Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+17% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Rochelle+75% | 9.5 | 16.7 | Higher rate: La Rochelle+75% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Rochelle+3% | 4.8 | 4.9 | Higher rate: La Rochelle+3% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Rochelle+45% | 1.4 | 2.0 | Higher rate: La Rochelle+45% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Rochelle+24% | 11.4 | 14.1 | Higher rate: La Rochelle+24% |
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 | La Roche-sur-Yon | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: La Rochelle+1.1 °C | 12.4°C | 13.5°C | Warmer: La Rochelle+1.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: La Rochelle+20% | 1,922 | 2,303 | Sunnier: La Rochelle+20% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: La Roche-sur-Yon+17% | 886 | 754 | Wetter: La Roche-sur-Yon+17% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: La Roche-sur-Yon+8 days/year | 122 | 114 | More rainy days: La Roche-sur-Yon+8 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: La Roche-sur-Yon+14 days/year | 33 | 19 | More frost days: La Roche-sur-Yon+14 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreTie | 11 | 11 | Tie |
Climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each commune. Source: Météo-France, climate normals
Natural hazards
Natural disasters and prevention
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: La Rochelle+2 | 19 | 21 | More declarations: La Rochelle+2 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: La Rochelle+1 | 0 | 1 | More plans: La Rochelle+1 |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | La Rochelle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: La Roche-sur-Yon3.1 times as high | 87.5 | 28.4 | Larger: La Roche-sur-Yon3.1 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: La Roche-sur-Yon+65 m | 71 m | 7 m | Higher: La Roche-sur-Yon+65 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Large urban centre | |
| Department | Vendée (85) | Charente-Maritime (17) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération La Roche-sur-Yon Agglomération | Communauté d'agglomération de La Rochelle | |
| Urban unit | La Roche-sur-Yon | La Rochelle | |
| Functional area | La Roche-sur-Yon | La Rochelle |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
La Roche-sur-Yon vs La Rochelle (17) at a glance
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | La Rochelle |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 57,683 | 81,843 |
| Change over 10 years | +4.0% | +7.4% |
| Density per km² | 659 | 2,879 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,417 | 4,960 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,403 | 4,412 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.8 | 14.7 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 51.05% | 55.25% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,090 | 24,960 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.3% | 14.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.7 | 5.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.6 | 4.0 |
| Average temperature | 12.4°C | 13.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,922 | 2,303 |
| Area km² | 87.5 | 28.4 |
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FAQ
La Roche-sur-Yon vs La Rochelle (17): your questions
Which is the larger city, La Roche-sur-Yon or La Rochelle?
By population, La Rochelle: 81,843 inhabitants versus 57,683 for La Roche-sur-Yon (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). La Rochelle is the 62nd largest city in France, La Roche-sur-Yon the 106th. By area, La Roche-sur-Yon is the larger (87.5 km²).
How far is La Roche-sur-Yon from La Rochelle?
La Roche-sur-Yon and La Rochelle are 59 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in La Roche-sur-Yon or La Rochelle?
To buy an apartment, La Rochelle is more expensive: €4,960 per m² (median price), versus €2,417 in La Roche-sur-Yon (+105%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in La Roche-sur-Yon or La Rochelle?
In La Roche-sur-Yon, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,090 a year, versus €24,960 in La Rochelle (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, La Roche-sur-Yon or La Rochelle?
La Rochelle: 2,303 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,922 in La Roche-sur-Yon (climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each town).
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures