2026 comparison
La Rochelle (17) vs Saintes: 2026 comparison
La Rochelle has more inhabitants than Saintes: 81,843 versus 26,773, or 3.1 times as many. Saintes covers a larger area (45.6 km² versus 28.4 km²), but La Rochelle is more densely populated: 2,879 inhabitants per km² versus 588.
The median apartment price is higher in La Rochelle: €4,960 per m² versus €1,992. The median standard of living is higher in La Rochelle (€24,960 a year versus €24,560).
The two cities are 62 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
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
Saintes
City in Charente-Maritime
FCharente-Maritime17Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Population
- 26,773 inhab.
- 341st in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 45.6 km²
- Density
- 588 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
La RochelleSaintes
| Criterion | La Rochelle | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: La Rochelle3.1 times as high | 81,843 | 26,773 | More populous: La Rochelle3.1 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: La Rochelle+4.1 pts | +4.9% | +0.9% | Stronger growth: La Rochelle+4.1 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: La Rochelle+8.3 pts | +7.4% | −0.9% | Stronger growth: La Rochelle+8.3 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: La Rochelle4.9 times as high | 2,879 | 588 | Denser: La Rochelle4.9 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: La Rochelle+1.0 pt | 12.6% | 11.6% | More young people: La Rochelle+1.0 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saintes+6.7 pts | 25.1% | 31.8% | More seniors: Saintes+6.7 pts |
| People per householdTie | 1.72 | 1.72 | Tie |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | La Rochelle | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: La Rochelle2.5 times as high | 4,960 | 1,992 | More expensive: La Rochelle2.5 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: La Rochelle2.1 times as high | 4,412 | 2,090 | More expensive: La Rochelle2.1 times as high |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: La Rochelle+25% | 14.7 | 11.8 | More expensive: La Rochelle+25% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: La Rochelle+47% | 14.6 | 9.9 | More expensive: La Rochelle+47% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saintes+14 pts | 37.1% | 50.8% | More homeowners: Saintes+14 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saintes+28 pts | 30.0% | 58.1% | More houses: Saintes+28 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: La Rochelle+8.7 pts | 30.1% | 21.5% | More social housing: La Rochelle+8.7 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: La Rochelle+11 pts | 14.1% | 2.7% | More second homes: La Rochelle+11 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saintes+2.4 pts | 6.3% | 8.6% | More vacant homes: Saintes+2.4 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saintes+3.5 pts | 55.25% | 58.70% | Higher rate: Saintes+3.5 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 Rochelle | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: La Rochelle+2% | 24,960 | 24,560 | Higher: La Rochelle+2% |
| Poverty rateHigher: La Rochelle+2.0 pts | 19.9% | 17.9% | Higher: La Rochelle+2.0 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: La Rochelle+13% | €30,162 | €26,587 | Higher: La Rochelle+13% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: La Rochelle+3.4 pts | 46% | 43% | More taxpaying households: La Rochelle+3.4 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saintes+3.4 pts | 69.7% | 73.1% | Higher: Saintes+3.4 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Tie | 14.4% | 14.4% | Tie |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | La Rochelle | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Olivier Falorni | Bruno Drapron | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous left | miscellaneous centre | |
| 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 Rochelle | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saintes+30% | 87.7718 in total | 113.9305 in total | More shops per capita: Saintes+30% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes+18% | 24.3199 in total | 28.877 in total | More per capita: Saintes+18% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: La Rochelle+33% | 56.1459 in total | 42.2113 in total | More per capita: La Rochelle+33% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes+52% | 27.7227 in total | 42.2113 in total | More per capita: Saintes+52% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes+66% | 2.924 in total | 4.913 in total | More per capita: Saintes+66% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes+28% | 5.343 in total | 6.718 in total | More per capita: Saintes+28% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: La Rochelle+1 | 2 | 1 | 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 Rochelle | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: La Rochelle+12% | 5.8 | 5.2 | Better access: La Rochelle+12% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes+14% | 17.7145 in total | 20.254 in total | More per capita: Saintes+14% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes+13% | 26.1214 in total | 29.579 in total | More per capita: Saintes+13% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes+19% | 10.082 in total | 12.032 in total | More per capita: Saintes+19% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes+37% | 3.529 in total | 4.913 in total | More per capita: Saintes+37% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: La Rochelle+6 | 13 | 7 | More facilities: La Rochelle+6 |
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 Rochelle | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: La Rochelle+18 | 37 | 19 | More schools: La Rochelle+18 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: La Rochelle+3 | 9 | 6 | More middle schools: La Rochelle+3 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: La Rochelle+7 | 14 | 7 | More high schools: La Rochelle+7 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: La Rochelle+19 | 20 | 1 | More facilities: La Rochelle+19 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | La Rochelle | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saintes+61% | 4.0 | 6.4 | Higher rate: Saintes+61% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: La Rochelle+29% | 16.7 | 12.9 | Higher rate: La Rochelle+29% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saintes+12% | 4.9 | 5.5 | Higher rate: Saintes+12% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saintes+2% | 2.0 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Saintes+2% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saintes+33% | 14.1 | 18.8 | Higher rate: Saintes+33% |
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 Rochelle | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: La Rochelle+0.2 °C | 13.5°C | 13.3°C | Warmer: La Rochelle+0.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: La Rochelle+13% | 2,303 | 2,043 | Sunnier: La Rochelle+13% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saintes+20% | 754 | 907 | Wetter: Saintes+20% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saintes+9 days/year | 114 | 123 | More rainy days: Saintes+9 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saintes+10 days/year | 19 | 29 | More frost days: Saintes+10 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saintes+9 days/year | 11 | 20 | More hot days: Saintes+9 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 Rochelle | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saintes+3 | 21 | 24 | More declarations: Saintes+3 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saintes+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Saintes+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | La Rochelle | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saintes+60% | 28.4 | 45.6 | Larger: Saintes+60% |
| Town hall elevationTie | 7 m | 7 m | Tie |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Charente-Maritime (17) | Charente-Maritime (17) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération de La Rochelle | Communauté d'agglomération de Saintes - Grandes Rives - L'Agglo | |
| Urban unit | La Rochelle | Saintes | |
| Functional area | La Rochelle | Saintes |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
La Rochelle (17) vs Saintes at a glance
| Criterion | La Rochelle | Saintes |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 81,843 | 26,773 |
| Change over 10 years | +7.4% | −0.9% |
| Density per km² | 2,879 | 588 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,960 | 1,992 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,412 | 2,090 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 14.7 | 11.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 55.25% | 58.70% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,960 | 24,560 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 14.4% | 14.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.8 | 5.2 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.0 | 6.4 |
| Average temperature | 13.5°C | 13.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,303 | 2,043 |
| Area km² | 28.4 | 45.6 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
La Rochelle (17) vs Saintes: your questions
Which is the larger city, La Rochelle or Saintes?
By population, La Rochelle: 81,843 inhabitants versus 26,773 for Saintes (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). La Rochelle is the 62nd largest city in France, Saintes the 341st. By area, Saintes is the larger (45.6 km²).
How far is La Rochelle from Saintes?
La Rochelle and Saintes are 62 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Charente-Maritime).
Where is real estate more expensive, in La Rochelle or Saintes?
To buy an apartment, La Rochelle is more expensive: €4,960 per m² (median price), versus €1,992 in Saintes (+149%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in La Rochelle or Saintes?
In La Rochelle, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,960 a year, versus €24,560 in Saintes (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, La Rochelle or Saintes?
La Rochelle: 2,303 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 2,043 in Saintes (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