2026 comparison
La Roche-sur-Yon vs Les Sables-d'Olonne: 2026 comparison
La Roche-sur-Yon has more inhabitants than Les Sables-d'Olonne: 57,683 versus 50,924, or 13% more. La Roche-sur-Yon is both larger (87.5 km² versus 85.7 km²) and more densely populated (659 inhabitants per km² versus 594).
The median apartment price is higher in Les Sables-d'Olonne: €4,717 per m² versus €2,417. The median standard of living is higher in Les Sables-d'Olonne (€28,010 a year versus €25,090).
The two cities are 31 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
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
© Florian Pépellin, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Les Sables-d'Olonne
City in Vendée
- Population
- 50,924 inhab.
- 134th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 85.7 km²
- Density
- 594 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
La Roche-sur-YonLes Sables-d'Olonne
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: La Roche-sur-Yon+13% | 57,683 | 50,924 | More populous: La Roche-sur-Yon+13% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Les Sables-d'Olonne+12 pts | +0.2% | +11.8% | Stronger growth: Les Sables-d'Olonne+12 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Les Sables-d'Olonne+14 pts | +4.0% | +17.7% | Stronger growth: Les Sables-d'Olonne+14 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: La Roche-sur-Yon+11% | 659 | 594 | Denser: La Roche-sur-Yon+11% |
| Under 15More young people: La Roche-sur-Yon+4.4 pts | 14.5% | 10.1% | More young people: La Roche-sur-Yon+4.4 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Les Sables-d'Olonne+19 pts | 23.0% | 41.8% | More seniors: Les Sables-d'Olonne+19 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.06 | 1.88 | 1.82 | Larger households: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.06 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+95% | 2,417 | 4,717 | More expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+95% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+68% | 2,403 | 4,034 | More expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+68% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+16% | 11.8 | 13.7 | More expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+16% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+10% | 10.8 | 11.8 | More expensive: Les Sables-d'Olonne+10% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Les Sables-d'Olonne+17 pts | 48.5% | 65.7% | More homeowners: Les Sables-d'Olonne+17 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Les Sables-d'Olonne+12 pts | 50.0% | 62.3% | More houses: Les Sables-d'Olonne+12 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: La Roche-sur-Yon+20 pts | 29.8% | 9.8% | More social housing: La Roche-sur-Yon+20 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Les Sables-d'Olonne+32 pts | 3.7% | 35.3% | More second homes: Les Sables-d'Olonne+32 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: La Roche-sur-Yon+3.2 pts | 6.6% | 3.4% | More vacant homes: La Roche-sur-Yon+3.2 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+7.5 pts | 51.05% | 43.59% | Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+7.5 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 | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Les Sables-d'Olonne+12% | 25,090 | 28,010 | Higher: Les Sables-d'Olonne+12% |
| Poverty rateHigher: La Roche-sur-Yon+6.4 pts | 15.6% | 9.2% | Higher: La Roche-sur-Yon+6.4 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Les Sables-d'Olonne+33% | €29,192 | €38,745 | Higher: Les Sables-d'Olonne+33% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Les Sables-d'Olonne+8.7 pts | 46% | 55% | More taxpaying households: Les Sables-d'Olonne+8.7 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Les Sables-d'Olonne+1.4 pt | 72.8% | 74.2% | Higher: Les Sables-d'Olonne+1.4 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Les Sables-d'Olonne+0.5 pt | 11.3% | 11.8% | Higher: Les Sables-d'Olonne+0.5 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Romain Bossis | Nicolas Chénéchaud | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous left | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Les Sables-d'Olonne+2.9 pts | 95% | 98% | Better covered: Les Sables-d'Olonne+2.9 pts |
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 | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+32% | 76.5441 in total | 100.7513 in total | More shops per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+32% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+63% | 17.3100 in total | 28.3144 in total | More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+63% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+48% | 29.8172 in total | 44.0224 in total | More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+48% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+21% | 25.8149 in total | 21.4109 in total | More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+21% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+15% | 2.313 in total | 2.010 in total | More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+15% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne2.4 times as high | 1.911 in total | 4.523 in total | More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne2.4 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Les Sables-d'Olonne+1 | 1 | 2 | More stations: Les Sables-d'Olonne+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 | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Les Sables-d'Olonne+12% | 3.7 | 4.2 | Better access: Les Sables-d'Olonne+12% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+25% | 8.348 in total | 10.453 in total | More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+25% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+58% | 24.3140 in total | 15.378 in total | More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+58% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+4% | 9.454 in total | 9.046 in total | More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+4% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+35% | 2.816 in total | 3.719 in total | More per capita: Les Sables-d'Olonne+35% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: La Roche-sur-Yon+4 | 10 | 6 | More facilities: La Roche-sur-Yon+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 | La Roche-sur-Yon | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+15 | 36 | 21 | More schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+15 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+4 | 11 | 7 | More middle schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+4 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+11 | 16 | 5 | More high schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+11 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: La Roche-sur-Yon+14 | 19 | 5 | More facilities: La Roche-sur-Yon+14 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+25% | 4.6 | 3.7 | Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+25% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+15% | 9.5 | 8.3 | Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+15% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+97% | 4.8 | 2.4 | Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+97% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+58% | 1.4 | 0.9 | Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+58% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Les Sables-d'Olonne+0.8% | 11.4 | 11.5 | Higher rate: Les Sables-d'Olonne+0.8% |
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 | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Les Sables-d'Olonne+0.8 °C | 12.4°C | 13.2°C | Warmer: Les Sables-d'Olonne+0.8 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Les Sables-d'Olonne+21% | 1,922 | 2,324 | Sunnier: Les Sables-d'Olonne+21% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: La Roche-sur-Yon+19% | 886 | 747 | Wetter: La Roche-sur-Yon+19% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: La Roche-sur-Yon+5 days/year | 122 | 116 | More rainy days: La Roche-sur-Yon+5 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: La Roche-sur-Yon+15 days/year | 33 | 18 | More frost days: La Roche-sur-Yon+15 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: La Roche-sur-Yon+5 days/year | 11 | 7 | More hot days: La Roche-sur-Yon+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 | La Roche-sur-Yon | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Les Sables-d'Olonne+7 | 19 | 26 | More declarations: Les Sables-d'Olonne+7 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Les Sables-d'Olonne+1 | 0 | 1 | More plans: Les Sables-d'Olonne+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Significant | Significant | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: La Roche-sur-Yon+2% | 87.5 | 85.7 | Larger: La Roche-sur-Yon+2% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: La Roche-sur-Yon+67 m | 71 m | 4 m | Higher: La Roche-sur-Yon+67 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Urban belt | |
| DepartmentSame | Vendée (85) | Vendée (85) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération La Roche-sur-Yon Agglomération | Communauté d'agglomération Les Sables d'Olonne Agglomération | |
| Urban unit | La Roche-sur-Yon | Les Sables-d'Olonne | |
| Functional area | La Roche-sur-Yon | Les Sables-d'Olonne |
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 Les Sables-d'Olonne at a glance
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | Les Sables-d'Olonne |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 57,683 | 50,924 |
| Change over 10 years | +4.0% | +17.7% |
| Density per km² | 659 | 594 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,417 | 4,717 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,403 | 4,034 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.8 | 13.7 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 51.05% | 43.59% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,090 | 28,010 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.3% | 11.8% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.7 | 4.2 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.6 | 3.7 |
| Average temperature | 12.4°C | 13.2°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,922 | 2,324 |
| Area km² | 87.5 | 85.7 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
La Roche-sur-Yon vs Les Sables-d'Olonne: your questions
Which is the larger city, La Roche-sur-Yon or Les Sables-d'Olonne?
By population, La Roche-sur-Yon: 57,683 inhabitants versus 50,924 for Les Sables-d'Olonne (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). La Roche-sur-Yon is the 106th largest city in France, Les Sables-d'Olonne the 134th. By area, La Roche-sur-Yon is also the larger (87.5 km²).
How far is La Roche-sur-Yon from Les Sables-d'Olonne?
La Roche-sur-Yon and Les Sables-d'Olonne are 31 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 La Roche-sur-Yon or Les Sables-d'Olonne?
To buy an apartment, Les Sables-d'Olonne is more expensive: €4,717 per m² (median price), versus €2,417 in La Roche-sur-Yon (+95%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in La Roche-sur-Yon or Les Sables-d'Olonne?
In Les Sables-d'Olonne, half of the residents have a standard of living above €28,010 a year, versus €25,090 in La Roche-sur-Yon (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, La Roche-sur-Yon or Les Sables-d'Olonne?
Les Sables-d'Olonne: 2,324 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