2026 comparison
La Roche-sur-Yon vs Vertou: 2026 comparison
La Roche-sur-Yon has more inhabitants than Vertou: 57,683 versus 26,684, or 2.2 times as many. La Roche-sur-Yon covers a larger area (87.5 km² versus 35.7 km²), but Vertou is more densely populated: 748 inhabitants per km² versus 659.
The median apartment price is higher in Vertou: €3,574 per m² versus €2,417. The median standard of living is higher in Vertou (€31,190 a year versus €25,090).
The two cities are 54 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
Vertou
City in Loire-Atlantique
FLoire-Atlantique44Pays de la Loire
- Population
- 26,684 inhab.
- 343rd in France · 7th in its department
- Area
- 35.7 km²
- Density
- 748 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
La Roche-sur-YonVertou
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: La Roche-sur-Yon2.2 times as high | 57,683 | 26,684 | More populous: La Roche-sur-Yon2.2 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Vertou+4.6 pts | +0.2% | +4.7% | Stronger growth: Vertou+4.6 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Vertou+11 pts | +4.0% | +14.9% | Stronger growth: Vertou+11 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Vertou+13% | 659 | 748 | Denser: Vertou+13% |
| Under 15More young people: Vertou+2.8 pts | 14.5% | 17.4% | More young people: Vertou+2.8 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: La Roche-sur-Yon+1.0 pt | 23.0% | 22.0% | More seniors: La Roche-sur-Yon+1.0 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Vertou+0.36 | 1.88 | 2.24 | Larger households: Vertou+0.36 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Vertou+48% | 2,417 | 3,574 | More expensive: Vertou+48% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Vertou+51% | 2,403 | 3,627 | More expensive: Vertou+51% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Vertou+13% | 11.8 | 13.4 | More expensive: Vertou+13% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Vertou+18% | 10.8 | 12.7 | More expensive: Vertou+18% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Vertou+23 pts | 48.5% | 71.3% | More homeowners: Vertou+23 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Vertou+25 pts | 50.0% | 75.1% | More houses: Vertou+25 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: La Roche-sur-Yon+17 pts | 29.8% | 12.5% | More social housing: La Roche-sur-Yon+17 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: La Roche-sur-Yon+2.1 pts | 3.7% | 1.7% | More second homes: La Roche-sur-Yon+2.1 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: La Roche-sur-Yon+2.0 pt | 6.6% | 4.6% | More vacant homes: La Roche-sur-Yon+2.0 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+2.1 pts | 51.05% | 49.00% | Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon+2.1 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 | La Roche-sur-Yon | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Vertou+24% | 25,090 | 31,190 | Higher: Vertou+24% |
| Poverty rateHigher: La Roche-sur-Yon+9.0 pts | 15.6% | 6.6% | Higher: La Roche-sur-Yon+9.0 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Vertou+55% | €29,192 | €45,216 | Higher: Vertou+55% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Vertou+14 pts | 46% | 60% | More taxpaying households: Vertou+14 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Vertou+6.7 pts | 72.8% | 79.5% | Higher: Vertou+6.7 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: La Roche-sur-Yon+4.5 pts | 11.3% | 6.9% | Higher: La Roche-sur-Yon+4.5 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Romain Bossis | Rodolphe Amailland | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous left | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Vertou+3.2 pts | 95% | 98% | Better covered: Vertou+3.2 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 | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+92% | 76.5441 in total | 39.7106 in total | More shops per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+92% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+54% | 17.3100 in total | 11.230 in total | More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+54% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+77% | 29.8172 in total | 16.945 in total | More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+77% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+30% | 25.8149 in total | 19.953 in total | More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+30% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+50% | 2.313 in total | 1.54 in total | More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+50% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+70% | 1.911 in total | 1.13 in total | More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+70% |
| 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 | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Vertou+0.8% | 3.7 | 3.8 | Better access: Vertou+0.8% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vertou+40% | 8.348 in total | 11.631 in total | More per capita: Vertou+40% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon2.2 times as high | 24.3140 in total | 11.230 in total | More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon2.2 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+56% | 9.454 in total | 6.016 in total | More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+56% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+6% | 2.816 in total | 2.67 in total | More per capita: La Roche-sur-Yon+6% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: La Roche-sur-Yon+7 | 10 | 3 | More facilities: La Roche-sur-Yon+7 |
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 | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+25 | 36 | 11 | More schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+25 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+8 | 11 | 3 | More middle schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+8 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+16 | 16 | 0 | More high schools: La Roche-sur-Yon+16 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: La Roche-sur-Yon+19 | 19 | 0 | More facilities: La Roche-sur-Yon+19 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Vertou2.4 times as high | 4.6 | 10.9 | Higher rate: Vertou2.4 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon2.3 times as high | 9.5 | 4.2 | Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon2.3 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon4.0 times as high | 4.8 | 1.2 | Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon4.0 times as high |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Vertou+96% | 1.4 | 2.7 | Higher rate: Vertou+96% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon2.0 times as high | 11.4 | 5.7 | Higher rate: La Roche-sur-Yon2.0 times as high |
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 | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Vertou+0.4 °C | 12.4°C | 12.8°C | Warmer: Vertou+0.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: La Roche-sur-Yon+3% | 1,922 | 1,873 | Sunnier: La Roche-sur-Yon+3% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: La Roche-sur-Yon+3% | 886 | 859 | Wetter: La Roche-sur-Yon+3% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Vertou+5 days/year | 122 | 127 | More rainy days: Vertou+5 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Vertou+2 days/year | 33 | 35 | More frost days: Vertou+2 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Vertou+7 days/year | 11 | 18 | More hot days: Vertou+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 | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: La Roche-sur-Yon+10 | 19 | 9 | More declarations: La Roche-sur-Yon+10 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Vertou+1 | 0 | 1 | More plans: Vertou+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Significant | Significant | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | Vertou | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: La Roche-sur-Yon2.5 times as high | 87.5 | 35.7 | Larger: La Roche-sur-Yon2.5 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: La Roche-sur-Yon+39 m | 71 m | 32 m | Higher: La Roche-sur-Yon+39 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Small town | |
| Department | Vendée (85) | Loire-Atlantique (44) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération La Roche-sur-Yon Agglomération | Nantes Métropole | |
| Urban unit | La Roche-sur-Yon | Nantes | |
| Functional area | La Roche-sur-Yon | Nantes |
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 Vertou at a glance
| Criterion | La Roche-sur-Yon | Vertou |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 57,683 | 26,684 |
| Change over 10 years | +4.0% | +14.9% |
| Density per km² | 659 | 748 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,417 | 3,574 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,403 | 3,627 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.8 | 13.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 51.05% | 49.00% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,090 | 31,190 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.3% | 6.9% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.7 | 3.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.6 | 10.9 |
| Average temperature | 12.4°C | 12.8°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,922 | 1,873 |
| Area km² | 87.5 | 35.7 |
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FAQ
La Roche-sur-Yon vs Vertou: your questions
Which is the larger city, La Roche-sur-Yon or Vertou?
By population, La Roche-sur-Yon: 57,683 inhabitants versus 26,684 for Vertou (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). La Roche-sur-Yon is the 106th largest city in France, Vertou the 343rd. By area, La Roche-sur-Yon is also the larger (87.5 km²).
How far is La Roche-sur-Yon from Vertou?
La Roche-sur-Yon and Vertou are 54 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 Vertou?
To buy an apartment, Vertou is more expensive: €3,574 per m² (median price), versus €2,417 in La Roche-sur-Yon (+48%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in La Roche-sur-Yon or Vertou?
In Vertou, half of the residents have a standard of living above €31,190 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 Vertou?
La Roche-sur-Yon: 1,922 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,873 in Vertou (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