2026 comparison
Lorient vs Saint-Brieuc: 2026 comparison
Lorient has more inhabitants than Saint-Brieuc: 59,856 versus 45,736, or 31% more. Saint-Brieuc covers a larger area (21.9 km² versus 17.5 km²), but Lorient is more densely populated: 3,424 inhabitants per km² versus 2,090.
The median apartment price is higher in Lorient: €2,499 per m² versus €1,671. The median standard of living is higher in Lorient (€23,810 a year versus €23,440).
The two cities are 96 km apart as the crow flies.
Lorient
City in Morbihan
- Population
- 59,856 inhab.
- 100th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 17.5 km²
- Density
- 3,424 per km²
Saint-Brieuc
City in Côtes-d'Armor
- Population
- 45,736 inhab.
- 161st in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 21.9 km²
- Density
- 2,090 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
LorientSaint-Brieuc
| Criterion | Lorient | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Lorient+31% | 59,856 | 45,736 | More populous: Lorient+31% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Lorient+1.7 pt | +2.2% | +0.4% | Stronger growth: Lorient+1.7 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Lorient+2.8 pts | +0.6% | −2.1% | Stronger growth: Lorient+2.8 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Lorient+64% | 3,424 | 2,090 | Denser: Lorient+64% |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Brieuc+1.6 pt | 13.8% | 15.4% | More young people: Saint-Brieuc+1.6 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Brieuc+0.5 pt | 22.8% | 23.3% | More seniors: Saint-Brieuc+0.5 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Brieuc+0.05 | 1.76 | 1.81 | Larger households: Saint-Brieuc+0.05 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Lorient | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Lorient+50% | 2,499 | 1,671 | More expensive: Lorient+50% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Lorient+48% | 2,906 | 1,965 | More expensive: Lorient+48% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Lorient+18% | 13.4 | 11.4 | More expensive: Lorient+18% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Lorient+29% | 12.6 | 9.7 | More expensive: Lorient+29% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Brieuc+6.2 pts | 42.7% | 48.9% | More homeowners: Saint-Brieuc+6.2 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Brieuc+13 pts | 25.2% | 38.4% | More houses: Saint-Brieuc+13 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Lorient+4.4 pts | 31.2% | 26.7% | More social housing: Lorient+4.4 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Brieuc+1.2 pt | 3.8% | 5.0% | More second homes: Saint-Brieuc+1.2 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Brieuc+3.0 pts | 7.4% | 10.4% | More vacant homes: Saint-Brieuc+3.0 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+1.1 pt | 48.61% | 49.66% | Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+1.1 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 | Lorient | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Lorient+2% | 23,810 | 23,440 | Higher: Lorient+2% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Brieuc+0.9 pt | 21.5% | 22.4% | Higher: Saint-Brieuc+0.9 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Lorient+5% | €26,017 | €24,792 | Higher: Lorient+5% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Lorient+2.8 pts | 44% | 41% | More taxpaying households: Lorient+2.8 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Brieuc+0.6 pt | 72.0% | 72.6% | Higher: Saint-Brieuc+0.6 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Brieuc+0.3 pt | 14.1% | 14.3% | Higher: Saint-Brieuc+0.3 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Lorient | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Fabrice Loher | Victor Bonnot | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous centre | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Brieuc+1.8 pt | 96% | 98% | Better covered: Saint-Brieuc+1.8 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Lorient | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Lorient+60% | 97.6584 in total | 61.0279 in total | More shops per capita: Lorient+60% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lorient+35% | 23.9143 in total | 17.781 in total | More per capita: Lorient+35% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lorient+12% | 41.9251 in total | 37.4171 in total | More per capita: Lorient+12% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Brieuc+52% | 19.9119 in total | 30.2138 in total | More per capita: Saint-Brieuc+52% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Brieuc+83% | 1.710 in total | 3.114 in total | More per capita: Saint-Brieuc+83% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lorient+4% | 2.515 in total | 2.411 in total | More per capita: Lorient+4% |
| 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 | Lorient | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Lorient+24% | 4.5 | 3.6 | Better access: Lorient+24% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lorient+23% | 10.261 in total | 8.338 in total | More per capita: Lorient+23% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lorient+11% | 16.599 in total | 14.968 in total | More per capita: Lorient+11% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lorient+40% | 10.764 in total | 7.735 in total | More per capita: Lorient+40% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lorient+17% | 3.823 in total | 3.315 in total | More per capita: Lorient+17% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Lorient+2 | 11 | 9 | More facilities: Lorient+2 |
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 | Lorient | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsTie | 28 | 28 | Tie |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Brieuc+3 | 7 | 10 | More middle schools: Saint-Brieuc+3 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Brieuc+5 | 7 | 12 | More high schools: Saint-Brieuc+5 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Lorient+1 | 16 | 15 | More facilities: Lorient+1 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Lorient | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Brieuc+20% | 3.7 | 4.4 | Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+20% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+11% | 12.5 | 13.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+11% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+7% | 5.9 | 6.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+7% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lorient+20% | 1.7 | 1.4 | Higher rate: Lorient+20% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+8% | 13.8 | 14.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+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 | Lorient | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Lorient+0.8 °C | 12.2°C | 11.4°C | Warmer: Lorient+0.8 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Lorient+15% | 1,865 | 1,616 | Sunnier: Lorient+15% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Lorient+25% | 943 | 757 | Wetter: Lorient+25% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmTie | 130 | 130 | Tie |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Lorient+6 days/year | 22 | 17 | More frost days: Lorient+6 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Lorient+2 days/year | 3 | 1 | More hot days: Lorient+2 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 | Lorient | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Brieuc+4 | 8 | 12 | More declarations: Saint-Brieuc+4 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Brieuc+1 | 0 | 1 | More plans: Saint-Brieuc+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Significant | Significant | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Lorient | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Brieuc+25% | 17.5 | 21.9 | Larger: Saint-Brieuc+25% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Brieuc+70 m | 6 m | 76 m | Higher: Saint-Brieuc+70 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Morbihan (56) | Côtes-d'Armor (22) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Lorient Agglomération | Communauté d'agglomération Saint-Brieuc Armor Agglomération | |
| Urban unit | Lorient | Saint-Brieuc | |
| Functional area | Lorient | Saint-Brieuc |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Lorient vs Saint-Brieuc at a glance
| Criterion | Lorient | Saint-Brieuc |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 59,856 | 45,736 |
| Change over 10 years | +0.6% | −2.1% |
| Density per km² | 3,424 | 2,090 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,499 | 1,671 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,906 | 1,965 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.4 | 11.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 48.61% | 49.66% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 23,810 | 23,440 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 14.1% | 14.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.5 | 3.6 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 3.7 | 4.4 |
| Average temperature | 12.2°C | 11.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,865 | 1,616 |
| Area km² | 17.5 | 21.9 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
Lorient vs Saint-Brieuc: your questions
Which is the larger city, Lorient or Saint-Brieuc?
By population, Lorient: 59,856 inhabitants versus 45,736 for Saint-Brieuc (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Lorient is the 100th largest city in France, Saint-Brieuc the 161st. By area, Saint-Brieuc is the larger (21.9 km²).
How far is Lorient from Saint-Brieuc?
Lorient and Saint-Brieuc are 96 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Lorient or Saint-Brieuc?
To buy an apartment, Lorient is more expensive: €2,499 per m² (median price), versus €1,671 in Saint-Brieuc (+50%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Lorient or Saint-Brieuc?
In Lorient, half of the residents have a standard of living above €23,810 a year, versus €23,440 in Saint-Brieuc (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Lorient or Saint-Brieuc?
Lorient: 1,865 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,616 in Saint-Brieuc (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