2026 comparison
Lorient vs Saint-Nazaire (44): 2026 comparison
Saint-Nazaire has more inhabitants than Lorient: 76,243 versus 59,856, or 27% more. Saint-Nazaire covers a larger area (46.8 km² versus 17.5 km²), but Lorient is more densely populated: 3,424 inhabitants per km² versus 1,629.
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Nazaire: €2,917 per m² versus €2,499. The median standard of living is higher in Saint-Nazaire (€24,750 a year versus €23,810).
The two cities are 101 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-Nazaire
City in Loire-Atlantique
FLoire-Atlantique44Pays de la Loire
- Population
- 76,243 inhab.
- 69th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 46.8 km²
- Density
- 1,629 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
LorientSaint-Nazaire
| Criterion | Lorient | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Nazaire+27% | 59,856 | 76,243 | More populous: Saint-Nazaire+27% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Nazaire+3.4 pts | +2.2% | +5.6% | Stronger growth: Saint-Nazaire+3.4 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Nazaire+8.2 pts | +0.6% | +8.8% | Stronger growth: Saint-Nazaire+8.2 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Lorient2.1 times as high | 3,424 | 1,629 | Denser: Lorient2.1 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Nazaire+2.2 pts | 13.8% | 15.9% | More young people: Saint-Nazaire+2.2 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Nazaire+1.8 pt | 22.8% | 24.6% | More seniors: Saint-Nazaire+1.8 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Nazaire+0.14 | 1.76 | 1.90 | Larger households: Saint-Nazaire+0.14 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Lorient | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Nazaire+17% | 2,499 | 2,917 | More expensive: Saint-Nazaire+17% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Nazaire+2% | 2,906 | 2,955 | More expensive: Saint-Nazaire+2% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Lorient+5% | 13.4 | 12.8 | More expensive: Lorient+5% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Lorient+1% | 12.6 | 12.4 | More expensive: Lorient+1% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Nazaire+5.0 pts | 42.7% | 47.8% | More homeowners: Saint-Nazaire+5.0 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Nazaire+13 pts | 25.2% | 37.9% | More houses: Saint-Nazaire+13 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Lorient+2.3 pts | 31.2% | 28.9% | More social housing: Lorient+2.3 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Nazaire+2.7 pts | 3.8% | 6.5% | More second homes: Saint-Nazaire+2.7 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Lorient+0.3 pt | 7.4% | 7.1% | More vacant homes: Lorient+0.3 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Lorient+9.5 pts | 48.61% | 39.08% | Higher rate: Lorient+9.5 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 | Lorient | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Saint-Nazaire+4% | 23,810 | 24,750 | Higher: Saint-Nazaire+4% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Lorient+3.5 pts | 21.5% | 18.0% | Higher: Lorient+3.5 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Saint-Nazaire+8% | €26,017 | €28,112 | Higher: Saint-Nazaire+8% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Saint-Nazaire+2.9 pts | 44% | 47% | More taxpaying households: Saint-Nazaire+2.9 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Nazaire+2.4 pts | 72.0% | 74.4% | Higher: Saint-Nazaire+2.4 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Lorient+1.0 pt | 14.1% | 13.0% | Higher: Lorient+1.0 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Lorient | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Fabrice Loher | David Samzun | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous centre | miscellaneous left | |
| Premises with fiberTie | 96% | 96% | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Lorient | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Lorient+95% | 97.6584 in total | 50.0381 in total | More shops per capita: Lorient+95% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lorient+54% | 23.9143 in total | 15.5118 in total | More per capita: Lorient+54% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lorient+45% | 41.9251 in total | 29.0221 in total | More per capita: Lorient+45% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lorient+19% | 19.9119 in total | 16.7127 in total | More per capita: Lorient+19% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+18% | 1.710 in total | 2.015 in total | More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+18% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lorient+74% | 2.515 in total | 1.411 in total | More per capita: Lorient+74% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Saint-Nazaire+2 | 1 | 3 | More stations: Saint-Nazaire+2 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Lorient | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Lorient+21% | 4.5 | 3.7 | Better access: Lorient+21% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+15% | 10.261 in total | 11.789 in total | More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+15% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+40% | 16.599 in total | 23.2177 in total | More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+40% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lorient2.3 times as high | 10.764 in total | 4.736 in total | More per capita: Lorient2.3 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lorient+22% | 3.823 in total | 3.124 in total | More per capita: Lorient+22% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Nazaire+2 | 11 | 13 | More facilities: Saint-Nazaire+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-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Nazaire+5 | 28 | 33 | More schools: Saint-Nazaire+5 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Nazaire+3 | 7 | 10 | More middle schools: Saint-Nazaire+3 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Nazaire+5 | 7 | 12 | More high schools: Saint-Nazaire+5 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Lorient+4 | 16 | 12 | More facilities: Lorient+4 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Lorient | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Nazaire+86% | 3.7 | 6.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire+86% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire+28% | 12.5 | 16.0 | Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire+28% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lorient+57% | 5.9 | 3.8 | Higher rate: Lorient+57% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire+19% | 1.7 | 2.0 | Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire+19% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lorient+3% | 13.8 | 13.3 | Higher rate: Lorient+3% |
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-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Nazaire+0.4 °C | 12.2°C | 12.6°C | Warmer: Saint-Nazaire+0.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Saint-Nazaire+1% | 1,865 | 1,893 | Sunnier: Saint-Nazaire+1% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Lorient+19% | 943 | 792 | Wetter: Lorient+19% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Lorient+14 days/year | 130 | 116 | More rainy days: Lorient+14 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Nazaire+5 days/year | 22 | 27 | More frost days: Saint-Nazaire+5 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Nazaire+6 days/year | 3 | 9 | More hot days: Saint-Nazaire+6 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-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Nazaire+2 | 8 | 10 | More declarations: Saint-Nazaire+2 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Nazaire+1 | 0 | 1 | More plans: Saint-Nazaire+1 |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Lorient | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Nazaire2.7 times as high | 17.5 | 46.8 | Larger: Saint-Nazaire2.7 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Nazaire+6 m | 6 m | 12 m | Higher: Saint-Nazaire+6 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| Department | Morbihan (56) | Loire-Atlantique (44) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Lorient Agglomération | Communauté d'agglomération de la Région Nazairienne et de l'Estuaire (CARENE) | |
| Urban unit | Lorient | Saint-Nazaire | |
| Functional area | Lorient | Saint-Nazaire |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Lorient vs Saint-Nazaire (44) at a glance
| Criterion | Lorient | Saint-Nazaire |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 59,856 | 76,243 |
| Change over 10 years | +0.6% | +8.8% |
| Density per km² | 3,424 | 1,629 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,499 | 2,917 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,906 | 2,955 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.4 | 12.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 48.61% | 39.08% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 23,810 | 24,750 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 14.1% | 13.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.5 | 3.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 3.7 | 6.9 |
| Average temperature | 12.2°C | 12.6°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,865 | 1,893 |
| Area km² | 17.5 | 46.8 |
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FAQ
Lorient vs Saint-Nazaire (44): your questions
Which is the larger city, Lorient or Saint-Nazaire?
By population, Saint-Nazaire: 76,243 inhabitants versus 59,856 for Lorient (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Nazaire is the 69th largest city in France, Lorient the 100th. By area, Saint-Nazaire is also the larger (46.8 km²).
How far is Lorient from Saint-Nazaire?
Lorient and Saint-Nazaire are 101 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Lorient or Saint-Nazaire?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Nazaire is more expensive: €2,917 per m² (median price), versus €2,499 in Lorient (+17%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Lorient or Saint-Nazaire?
In Saint-Nazaire, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,750 a year, versus €23,810 in Lorient (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Lorient or Saint-Nazaire?
Saint-Nazaire: 1,893 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,865 in Lorient (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