2026 comparison
La Roche-sur-Yon vs Niort: 2026 comparison
Niort has more inhabitants than La Roche-sur-Yon: 61,675 versus 57,683, or 6.9% more. La Roche-sur-Yon covers a larger area (87.5 km² versus 68.2 km²), but Niort is more densely populated: 904 inhabitants per km² versus 659.
The median apartment price is higher in La Roche-sur-Yon: €2,417 per m² versus €1,923. The median standard of living is higher in Niort (€25,970 a year versus €25,090).
The two cities are 82 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
© dynamosquito from France, CC BY 2.0
Niort
City in Deux-Sèvres
FDeux-Sèvres79Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Population
- 61,675 inhab.
- 95th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 68.2 km²
- Density
- 904 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
La Roche-sur-YonNiort
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | Niort | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Niort+7% | 57,683 | 61,675 | More populous: Niort+7% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Niort+1.2 pt | +0.2% | +1.3% | Stronger growth: Niort+1.2 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Niort+0.3 pt | +4.0% | +4.3% | Stronger growth: Niort+0.3 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Niort+37% | 659 | 904 | Denser: Niort+37% |
| Under 15More young people: Niort+0.1 pt | 14.5% | 14.6% | More young people: Niort+0.1 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.1 pt | 23.0% | 22.8% | More seniors: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.1 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.05 | 1.88 | 1.83 | Larger households: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.05 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | Niort | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: La Roche-sur-Yon+26% | 2,417 | 1,923 | More expensive: La Roche-sur-Yon+26% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: La Roche-sur-Yon+20% | 2,403 | 2,000 | More expensive: La Roche-sur-Yon+20% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: La Roche-sur-Yon+2% | 11.8 | 11.6 | More expensive: La Roche-sur-Yon+2% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: La Roche-sur-Yon+9% | 10.8 | 9.9 | More expensive: La Roche-sur-Yon+9% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Niort+1.1 pt | 48.5% | 49.5% | More homeowners: Niort+1.1 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Niort+7.7 pts | 50.0% | 57.7% | More houses: Niort+7.7 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: La Roche-sur-Yon+5.6 pts | 29.8% | 24.2% | More social housing: La Roche-sur-Yon+5.6 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.4 pt | 3.7% | 3.3% | More second homes: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.4 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Niort+1.4 pt | 6.6% | 8.0% | More vacant homes: Niort+1.4 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+1.7 pt | 51.05% | 49.39% | Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+1.7 pt |
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 | Niort | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Niort+4% | 25,090 | 25,970 | Higher: Niort+4% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Niort+0.8 pt | 15.6% | 16.4% | Higher: Niort+0.8 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Niort+4% | €29,192 | €30,378 | Higher: Niort+4% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Niort+3.8 pts | 46% | 50% | More taxpaying households: Niort+3.8 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Niort+4.4 pts | 72.8% | 77.2% | Higher: Niort+4.4 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Niort+0.2 pt | 11.3% | 11.5% | Higher: Niort+0.2 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | Niort | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Romain Bossis | Jérôme Baloge | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous left | miscellaneous centre | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Niort+3.5 pts | 95% | 98% | Better covered: Niort+3.5 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 | Niort | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.5% | 76.5441 in total | 76.0469 in total | More shops per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+0.5% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Niort+20% | 17.3100 in total | 20.8128 in total | More per capita: Niort+20% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Niort+7% | 29.8172 in total | 31.9197 in total | More per capita: Niort+7% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+6% | 25.8149 in total | 24.5151 in total | More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+6% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Niort+51% | 2.313 in total | 3.421 in total | More per capita: Niort+51% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Niort+62% | 1.911 in total | 3.119 in total | More per capita: Niort+62% |
| 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 | La Roche-sur-Yon | Niort | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Niort+4% | 3.7 | 3.9 | Better access: Niort+4% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Niort+19% | 8.348 in total | 9.961 in total | More per capita: Niort+19% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Niort+9% | 24.3140 in total | 26.4163 in total | More per capita: Niort+9% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+56% | 9.454 in total | 6.037 in total | More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+56% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Niort+40% | 2.816 in total | 3.924 in total | More per capita: Niort+40% |
| HospitalsTie | 10 | 10 | Tie |
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 | Niort | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Niort+1 | 36 | 37 | More schools: Niort+1 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Niort+2 | 11 | 13 | More middle schools: Niort+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+6 | 16 | 10 | More high schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+6 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: La Roche-sur-Yon+4 | 19 | 15 | More facilities: La Roche-sur-Yon+4 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | Niort | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Niort2.3 times as high | 4.6 | 10.4 | Higher rate: Niort2.3 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+12% | 9.5 | 8.5 | Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+12% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+18% | 4.8 | 4.0 | Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+18% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Niort+20% | 1.4 | 1.7 | Higher rate: Niort+20% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+15% | 11.4 | 9.9 | Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+15% |
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 | Niort | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Niort+0.4 °C | 12.4°C | 12.8°C | Warmer: Niort+0.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Niort+4% | 1,922 | 2,006 | Sunnier: Niort+4% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: La Roche-sur-Yon+5% | 886 | 847 | Wetter: La Roche-sur-Yon+5% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: La Roche-sur-Yon+4 days/year | 122 | 118 | More rainy days: La Roche-sur-Yon+4 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Niort+2 days/year | 33 | 35 | More frost days: Niort+2 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Niort+7 days/year | 11 | 18 | More hot days: Niort+7 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 | Niort | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Niort+7 | 19 | 26 | More declarations: Niort+7 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Niort+1 | 0 | 1 | More plans: Niort+1 |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | Niort | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: La Roche-sur-Yon+28% | 87.5 | 68.2 | Larger: La Roche-sur-Yon+28% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: La Roche-sur-Yon+45 m | 71 m | 26 m | Higher: La Roche-sur-Yon+45 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| Department | Vendée (85) | Deux-Sèvres (79) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération La Roche-sur-Yon Agglomération | Communauté d'agglomération du Niortais | |
| Urban unit | La Roche-sur-Yon | Niort | |
| Functional area | La Roche-sur-Yon | Niort |
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 Niort at a glance
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | Niort |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 57,683 | 61,675 |
| Change over 10 years | +4.0% | +4.3% |
| Density per km² | 659 | 904 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,417 | 1,923 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,403 | 2,000 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.8 | 11.6 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 51.05% | 49.39% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,090 | 25,970 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.3% | 11.5% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.7 | 3.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.6 | 10.4 |
| Average temperature | 12.4°C | 12.8°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,922 | 2,006 |
| Area km² | 87.5 | 68.2 |
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FAQ
La Roche-sur-Yon vs Niort: your questions
Which is the larger city, La Roche-sur-Yon or Niort?
By population, Niort: 61,675 inhabitants versus 57,683 for La Roche-sur-Yon (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Niort is the 95th 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 Niort?
La Roche-sur-Yon and Niort are 82 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 Niort?
To buy an apartment, La Roche-sur-Yon is more expensive: €2,417 per m² (median price), versus €1,923 in Niort (+26%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in La Roche-sur-Yon or Niort?
In Niort, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,970 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 Niort?
Niort: 2,006 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