2026 comparison
Le Havre vs Sotteville-lès-Rouen: 2026 comparison
Le Havre has more inhabitants than Sotteville-lès-Rouen: 168,588 versus 29,464, or 5.7 times as many. Le Havre covers a larger area (47.0 km² versus 7.4 km²), but Sotteville-lès-Rouen is more densely populated: 3,960 inhabitants per km² versus 3,591.
The median apartment price is higher in Le Havre: €2,326 per m² versus €1,774. The median standard of living is higher in Sotteville-lès-Rouen (€23,630 a year versus €22,480).
The two cities are 70 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Le Havre
City in Seine-Maritime
- Population
- 168,588 inhab.
- 15th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 47.0 km²
- Density
- 3,591 per km²
Sotteville-lès-Rouen
City in Seine-Maritime
- Population
- 29,464 inhab.
- 300th in France · 4th in its department
- Area
- 7.4 km²
- Density
- 3,960 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Le HavreSotteville-lès-Rouen
| Criterion | Le Havre | Sotteville-lès-Rouen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Le Havre5.7 times as high | 168,588 | 29,464 | More populous: Le Havre5.7 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+1.9 pt | −1.8% | +0.2% | Stronger growth: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+1.9 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+4.2 pts | −3.1% | +1.0% | Stronger growth: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+4.2 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+10% | 3,591 | 3,960 | Denser: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+10% |
| Under 15More young people: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+0.5 pt | 17.8% | 18.3% | More young people: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+0.5 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+1.4 pt | 20.9% | 22.3% | More seniors: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+1.4 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+0.05 | 1.98 | 2.03 | Larger households: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+0.05 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Le Havre | Sotteville-lès-Rouen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Le Havre+31% | 2,326 | 1,774 | More expensive: Le Havre+31% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Le Havre+8% | 2,429 | 2,257 | More expensive: Le Havre+8% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedTie | 12.4 | 12.4 | Tie |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Le Havre+4% | 11.8 | 11.3 | More expensive: Le Havre+4% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+11 pts | 38.8% | 49.4% | More homeowners: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+11 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+23 pts | 25.8% | 49.3% | More houses: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+23 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Le Havre+2.7 pts | 40.3% | 37.6% | More social housing: Le Havre+2.7 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Le Havre+1.0 pt | 2.6% | 1.7% | More second homes: Le Havre+1.0 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Le Havre+4.7 pts | 10.9% | 6.1% | More vacant homes: Le Havre+4.7 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Le Havre+1.0 pt | 54.47% | 53.46% | Higher rate: Le Havre+1.0 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 | Le Havre | Sotteville-lès-Rouen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+5% | 22,480 | 23,630 | Higher: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+5% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Le Havre+1.8 pt | 24.2% | 22.4% | Higher: Le Havre+1.8 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Le Havre+6% | €25,768 | €24,213 | Higher: Le Havre+6% |
| Households paying income taxTie | 42% | 42% | Tie |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+3.1 pts | 70.9% | 74.0% | Higher: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+3.1 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Le Havre+1.9 pt | 18.5% | 16.7% | Higher: Le Havre+1.9 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Le Havre | Sotteville-lès-Rouen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Edouard Philippe | Alexis Ragache | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the centre | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+2.3 pts | 97% | 99% | Better covered: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+2.3 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Le Havre | Sotteville-lès-Rouen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Le Havre+68% | 56.5953 in total | 33.699 in total | More shops per capita: Le Havre+68% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Havre+42% | 20.2341 in total | 14.342 in total | More per capita: Le Havre+42% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Havre2.1 times as high | 35.8603 in total | 17.351 in total | More per capita: Le Havre2.1 times as high |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Havre+1% | 16.1272 in total | 16.047 in total | More per capita: Le Havre+1% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Havre+22% | 2.135 in total | 1.75 in total | More per capita: Le Havre+22% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Havre4.4 times as high | 1.525 in total | 0.31 in total | More per capita: Le Havre4.4 times as high |
| 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 | Le Havre | Sotteville-lès-Rouen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Le Havre+4% | 3.7 | 3.6 | Better access: Le Havre+4% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+61% | 9.1153 in total | 14.643 in total | More per capita: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+61% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Havre4.1 times as high | 17.9302 in total | 4.413 in total | More per capita: Le Havre4.1 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Havre+61% | 5.592 in total | 3.410 in total | More per capita: Le Havre+61% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+14% | 2.745 in total | 3.19 in total | More per capita: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+14% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Le Havre+11 | 14 | 3 | More facilities: Le Havre+11 |
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 | Le Havre | Sotteville-lès-Rouen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Le Havre+87 | 100 | 13 | More schools: Le Havre+87 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Le Havre+21 | 24 | 3 | More middle schools: Le Havre+21 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Le Havre+17 | 20 | 3 | More high schools: Le Havre+17 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Le Havre+26 | 27 | 1 | More facilities: Le Havre+26 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Le Havre | Sotteville-lès-Rouen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+58% | 5.6 | 8.9 | Higher rate: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+58% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Le Havre+10% | 10.2 | 9.3 | Higher rate: Le Havre+10% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Le Havre+26% | 5.1 | 4.0 | Higher rate: Le Havre+26% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+14% | 1.7 | 2.0 | Higher rate: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+14% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Le Havre+18% | 10.3 | 8.8 | Higher rate: Le Havre+18% |
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 | Le Havre | Sotteville-lès-Rouen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+0.8 °C | 11.8°C | 12.6°C | Warmer: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+0.8 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Le Havre+6% | 1,651 | 1,554 | Sunnier: Le Havre+6% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+4% | 790 | 818 | Wetter: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+4% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+4 days/year | 128 | 131 | More rainy days: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+4 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+18 days/year | 15 | 33 | More frost days: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+18 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+14 days/year | 3 | 16 | More hot days: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+14 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 | Le Havre | Sotteville-lès-Rouen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Le Havre+11 | 25 | 14 | More declarations: Le Havre+11 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Le Havre+1 | 2 | 1 | More plans: Le Havre+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Le Havre | Sotteville-lès-Rouen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Le Havre6.3 times as high | 47.0 | 7.44 | Larger: Le Havre6.3 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+7 m | 5 m | 12 m | Higher: Sotteville-lès-Rouen+7 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Seine-Maritime (76) | Seine-Maritime (76) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté urbaine Le Havre Seine Métropole | Métropole Rouen Normandie | |
| Urban unit | Le Havre | Rouen | |
| Functional area | Le Havre | Rouen |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Le Havre vs Sotteville-lès-Rouen at a glance
| Criterion | Le Havre | Sotteville-lès-Rouen |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 168,588 | 29,464 |
| Change over 10 years | −3.1% | +1.0% |
| Density per km² | 3,591 | 3,960 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,326 | 1,774 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,429 | 2,257 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.4 | 12.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 54.47% | 53.46% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,480 | 23,630 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 18.5% | 16.7% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 99% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.7 | 3.6 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 5.6 | 8.9 |
| Average temperature | 11.8°C | 12.6°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,651 | 1,554 |
| Area km² | 47.0 | 7.44 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
Le Havre vs Sotteville-lès-Rouen: your questions
Which is the larger city, Le Havre or Sotteville-lès-Rouen?
By population, Le Havre: 168,588 inhabitants versus 29,464 for Sotteville-lès-Rouen (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Le Havre is the 15th largest city in France, Sotteville-lès-Rouen the 300th. By area, Le Havre is also the larger (47.0 km²).
How far is Le Havre from Sotteville-lès-Rouen?
Le Havre and Sotteville-lès-Rouen are 70 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Seine-Maritime).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Le Havre or Sotteville-lès-Rouen?
To buy an apartment, Le Havre is more expensive: €2,326 per m² (median price), versus €1,774 in Sotteville-lès-Rouen (+31%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Le Havre or Sotteville-lès-Rouen?
In Sotteville-lès-Rouen, half of the residents have a standard of living above €23,630 a year, versus €22,480 in Le Havre (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Le Havre or Sotteville-lès-Rouen?
Le Havre: 1,651 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,554 in Sotteville-lès-Rouen (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