2026 comparison
Montélimar vs Romans-sur-Isère: 2026 comparison
Montélimar has more inhabitants than Romans-sur-Isère: 41,752 versus 34,176, or 22% more. Montélimar covers a larger area (46.8 km² versus 33.1 km²), but Romans-sur-Isère is more densely populated: 1,033 inhabitants per km² versus 892.
The median apartment price is higher in Montélimar: €1,778 per m² versus €1,649. The median standard of living is higher in Montélimar (€23,850 a year versus €23,200).
The two cities are 61 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Montélimar
City in Drôme
- Population
- 41,752 inhab.
- 189th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 46.8 km²
- Density
- 892 per km²
Romans-sur-Isère
City in Drôme
- Population
- 34,176 inhab.
- 245th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 33.1 km²
- Density
- 1,033 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
MontélimarRomans-sur-Isère
| Criterion | Montélimar | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Montélimar+22% | 41,752 | 34,176 | More populous: Montélimar+22% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Montélimar+2.1 pts | +3.0% | +0.9% | Stronger growth: Montélimar+2.1 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Montélimar+11 pts | +10.8% | −0.5% | Stronger growth: Montélimar+11 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Romans-sur-Isère+16% | 892 | 1,033 | Denser: Romans-sur-Isère+16% |
| Under 15More young people: Montélimar+1.6 pt | 17.5% | 15.9% | More young people: Montélimar+1.6 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Romans-sur-Isère+1.7 pt | 23.1% | 24.7% | More seniors: Romans-sur-Isère+1.7 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Montélimar+0.07 | 2.03 | 1.96 | Larger households: Montélimar+0.07 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Montélimar | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Montélimar+8% | 1,778 | 1,649 | More expensive: Montélimar+8% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Montélimar+6% | 2,433 | 2,299 | More expensive: Montélimar+6% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Montélimar+10% | 11.6 | 10.6 | More expensive: Montélimar+10% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Montélimar+16% | 11.5 | 9.9 | More expensive: Montélimar+16% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Romans-sur-Isère+2.4 pts | 48.5% | 50.9% | More homeowners: Romans-sur-Isère+2.4 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Montélimar+6.4 pts | 46.0% | 39.6% | More houses: Montélimar+6.4 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Romans-sur-Isère+7.8 pts | 20.9% | 28.7% | More social housing: Romans-sur-Isère+7.8 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Montélimar+0.9 pt | 2.7% | 1.8% | More second homes: Montélimar+0.9 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Romans-sur-Isère+1.5 pt | 9.2% | 10.7% | More vacant homes: Romans-sur-Isère+1.5 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Romans-sur-Isère+9.1 pts | 39.88% | 49.00% | Higher rate: Romans-sur-Isère+9.1 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 | Montélimar | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Montélimar+3% | 23,850 | 23,200 | Higher: Montélimar+3% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Montélimar+0.1 pt | 21.4% | 21.3% | Higher: Montélimar+0.1 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Montélimar+8% | €28,725 | €26,610 | Higher: Montélimar+8% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Montélimar+2.1 pts | 43% | 41% | More taxpaying households: Montélimar+2.1 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Romans-sur-Isère+1.5 pt | 73.6% | 75.1% | Higher: Romans-sur-Isère+1.5 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Tie | 16.1% | 16.1% | Tie |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Montélimar | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Julien Cornillet | Marie-Hélène Thoraval | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberTie | 97% | 97% | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Montélimar | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Montélimar+15% | 112.8471 in total | 98.3336 in total | More shops per capita: Montélimar+15% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montélimar+20% | 30.2126 in total | 25.286 in total | More per capita: Montélimar+20% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montélimar+27% | 49.1205 in total | 38.6132 in total | More per capita: Montélimar+27% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère+64% | 15.364 in total | 25.286 in total | More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère+64% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère+68% | 1.98 in total | 3.211 in total | More per capita: Romans-sur-Isère+68% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montélimar2.5 times as high | 2.29 in total | 0.93 in total | More per capita: Montélimar2.5 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 | Montélimar | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Romans-sur-Isère+21% | 3.3 | 4.0 | Better access: Romans-sur-Isère+21% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montélimar+14% | 7.732 in total | 6.723 in total | More per capita: Montélimar+14% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montélimar+64% | 19.280 in total | 11.740 in total | More per capita: Montélimar+64% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montélimar+60% | 9.339 in total | 5.920 in total | More per capita: Montélimar+60% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montélimar+6% | 3.113 in total | 2.910 in total | More per capita: Montélimar+6% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Montélimar+3 | 7 | 4 | More facilities: Montélimar+3 |
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 | Montélimar | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Romans-sur-Isère+2 | 20 | 22 | More schools: Romans-sur-Isère+2 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Romans-sur-Isère+2 | 6 | 8 | More middle schools: Romans-sur-Isère+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Romans-sur-Isère+1 | 5 | 6 | More high schools: Romans-sur-Isère+1 |
| Higher education institutions and programsTie | 2 | 2 | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Montélimar | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Montélimar+61% | 6.8 | 4.2 | Higher rate: Montélimar+61% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Montélimar+49% | 11.2 | 7.5 | Higher rate: Montélimar+49% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Montélimar+63% | 5.3 | 3.3 | Higher rate: Montélimar+63% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Montélimar+69% | 3.3 | 2.0 | Higher rate: Montélimar+69% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Montélimar+60% | 13.4 | 8.4 | Higher rate: Montélimar+60% |
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 | Montélimar | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Montélimar+1.1 °C | 14.2°C | 13.1°C | Warmer: Montélimar+1.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,441 | — | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Montélimar+5% | 920 | 877 | Wetter: Montélimar+5% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Romans-sur-Isère+15 days/year | 78 | 92 | More rainy days: Romans-sur-Isère+15 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Romans-sur-Isère+25 days/year | 24 | 49 | More frost days: Romans-sur-Isère+25 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Montélimar+3 days/year | 43 | 40 | More hot days: Montélimar+3 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 | Montélimar | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Montélimar+9 | 23 | 14 | More declarations: Montélimar+9 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Montélimar+2 | 2 | 0 | More plans: Montélimar+2 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Montélimar | Romans-sur-Isère | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Montélimar+42% | 46.8 | 33.1 | Larger: Montélimar+42% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Romans-sur-Isère+74 m | 82 m | 156 m | Higher: Romans-sur-Isère+74 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Drôme (26) | Drôme (26) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Montélimar Agglomération | Communauté d'agglomération Valence Romans Agglo | |
| Urban unit | Montélimar | Romans-sur-Isère | |
| Functional area | Montélimar | Romans-sur-Isère |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Montélimar vs Romans-sur-Isère at a glance
| Criterion | Montélimar | Romans-sur-Isère |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 41,752 | 34,176 |
| Change over 10 years | +10.8% | −0.5% |
| Density per km² | 892 | 1,033 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,778 | 1,649 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,433 | 2,299 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.6 | 10.6 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 39.88% | 49.00% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 23,850 | 23,200 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 16.1% | 16.1% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.3 | 4.0 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.8 | 4.2 |
| Average temperature | 14.2°C | 13.1°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,441 | — |
| Area km² | 46.8 | 33.1 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Montélimar vs Romans-sur-Isère: your questions
Which is the larger city, Montélimar or Romans-sur-Isère?
By population, Montélimar: 41,752 inhabitants versus 34,176 for Romans-sur-Isère (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Montélimar is the 189th largest city in France, Romans-sur-Isère the 245th. By area, Montélimar is also the larger (46.8 km²).
How far is Montélimar from Romans-sur-Isère?
Montélimar and Romans-sur-Isère are 61 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Drôme).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Montélimar or Romans-sur-Isère?
To buy an apartment, Montélimar is more expensive: €1,778 per m² (median price), versus €1,649 in Romans-sur-Isère (+8%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Montélimar or Romans-sur-Isère?
In Montélimar, half of the residents have a standard of living above €23,850 a year, versus €23,200 in Romans-sur-Isère (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Montélimar and Romans-sur-Isère in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Drôme (26), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures