2026 comparison
Nantes vs Orvault: 2026 comparison
Nantes has more inhabitants than Orvault: 332,515 versus 29,176, or 11 times as many. Nantes is both larger (65.2 km² versus 27.7 km²) and more densely populated (5,101 inhabitants per km² versus 1,054).
The median apartment price is higher in Nantes: €3,621 per m² versus €2,829. The median standard of living is higher in Orvault (€30,410 a year versus €26,720).
The two cities are 6.0 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department and the same urban unit (Nantes).
Nantes
City in Loire-Atlantique
FLoire-Atlantique44Pays de la Loire
- Population
- 332,515 inhab.
- 6th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 65.2 km²
- Density
- 5,101 per km²
Orvault
City in Loire-Atlantique
FLoire-Atlantique44Pays de la Loire
- Population
- 29,176 inhab.
- 303rd in France · 5th in its department
- Area
- 27.7 km²
- Density
- 1,054 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
NantesOrvault
| Criterion | Nantes | Orvault | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Nantes11 times as high | 332,515 | 29,176 | More populous: Nantes11 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Orvault+1.7 pt | +4.3% | +6.0% | Stronger growth: Orvault+1.7 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Orvault+2.5 pts | +12.0% | +14.5% | Stronger growth: Orvault+2.5 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Nantes4.8 times as high | 5,101 | 1,054 | Denser: Nantes4.8 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Orvault+3.4 pts | 15.5% | 18.9% | More young people: Orvault+3.4 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Orvault+6.6 pts | 14.3% | 20.9% | More seniors: Orvault+6.6 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Orvault+0.40 | 1.83 | 2.23 | Larger households: Orvault+0.40 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Nantes | Orvault | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Nantes+28% | 3,621 | 2,829 | More expensive: Nantes+28% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Nantes+21% | 4,398 | 3,642 | More expensive: Nantes+21% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Nantes+5% | 14.5 | 13.8 | More expensive: Nantes+5% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Nantes+14% | 14.4 | 12.6 | More expensive: Nantes+14% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Orvault+29 pts | 36.4% | 65.4% | More homeowners: Orvault+29 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Orvault+37 pts | 18.2% | 55.6% | More houses: Orvault+37 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Nantes+7.5 pts | 29.4% | 22.0% | More social housing: Nantes+7.5 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Nantes+3.2 pts | 4.9% | 1.7% | More second homes: Nantes+3.2 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Nantes+2.2 pts | 6.1% | 3.9% | More vacant homes: Nantes+2.2 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Nantes+1.9 pt | 53.37% | 51.50% | Higher rate: Nantes+1.9 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 | Nantes | Orvault | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Orvault+14% | 26,720 | 30,410 | Higher: Orvault+14% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Nantes+7.8 pts | 19.1% | 11.3% | Higher: Nantes+7.8 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Orvault+27% | €32,578 | €41,468 | Higher: Orvault+27% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Orvault+7.6 pts | 50% | 57% | More taxpaying households: Orvault+7.6 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Orvault+2.6 pts | 74.8% | 77.5% | Higher: Orvault+2.6 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Nantes+4.3 pts | 13.1% | 8.8% | Higher: Nantes+4.3 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Nantes | Orvault | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Johanna Rolland | Sébastien Arrouët | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous left | miscellaneous right | |
| 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 | Nantes | Orvault | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Orvault+5% | 51.21,701 in total | 53.8157 in total | More shops per capita: Orvault+5% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nantes+3% | 17.3574 in total | 16.849 in total | More per capita: Nantes+3% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nantes2.2 times as high | 35.81,190 in total | 16.548 in total | More per capita: Nantes2.2 times as high |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Orvault+30% | 14.8492 in total | 19.256 in total | More per capita: Orvault+30% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Orvault+90% | 0.930 in total | 1.75 in total | More per capita: Orvault+90% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nantes+14% | 1.652 in total | 1.44 in total | More per capita: Nantes+14% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Nantes+3 | 3 | 0 | More stations: Nantes+3 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Nantes | Orvault | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Orvault+10% | 4.7 | 5.1 | Better access: Orvault+10% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nantes+12% | 11.5384 in total | 10.330 in total | More per capita: Nantes+12% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nantes4.7 times as high | 25.5849 in total | 5.516 in total | More per capita: Nantes4.7 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Orvault+69% | 6.5216 in total | 11.032 in total | More per capita: Orvault+69% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Orvault+13% | 2.481 in total | 2.78 in total | More per capita: Orvault+13% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Nantes+33 | 33 | 0 | More facilities: Nantes+33 |
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 | Nantes | Orvault | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Nantes+131 | 147 | 16 | More schools: Nantes+131 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Nantes+36 | 37 | 1 | More middle schools: Nantes+36 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Nantes+37 | 39 | 2 | More high schools: Nantes+37 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Nantes+102 | 102 | 0 | More facilities: Nantes+102 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Nantes | Orvault | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Orvault+81% | 6.3 | 11.5 | Higher rate: Orvault+81% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nantes2.5 times as high | 17.5 | 6.9 | Higher rate: Nantes2.5 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nantes+81% | 4.4 | 2.5 | Higher rate: Nantes+81% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nantes+17% | 2.8 | 2.4 | Higher rate: Nantes+17% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nantes+47% | 8.8 | 6.0 | Higher rate: Nantes+47% |
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)
Natural hazards
Natural disasters and prevention
| Criterion | Nantes | Orvault | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Nantes+1 | 16 | 15 | More declarations: Nantes+1 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Nantes+2 | 2 | 0 | More plans: Nantes+2 |
| Radon potentialSame | Significant | Significant | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Nantes | Orvault | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Nantes2.4 times as high | 65.2 | 27.7 | Larger: Nantes2.4 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Orvault+31 m | 12 m | 43 m | Higher: Orvault+31 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Loire-Atlantique (44) | Loire-Atlantique (44) | Same |
| IntercommunalitySame | Nantes Métropole | Nantes Métropole | Same |
| Urban unitSame | Nantes | Nantes | Same |
| Functional areaSame | Nantes | Nantes | Same |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Nantes vs Orvault at a glance
| Criterion | Nantes | Orvault |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 332,515 | 29,176 |
| Change over 10 years | +12.0% | +14.5% |
| Density per km² | 5,101 | 1,054 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,621 | 2,829 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,398 | 3,642 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 14.5 | 13.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 53.37% | 51.50% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 26,720 | 30,410 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 13.1% | 8.8% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.7 | 5.1 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.3 | 11.5 |
| Average temperature | 12.7°C | 12.7°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,873 | 1,873 |
| Area km² | 65.2 | 27.7 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
Nantes vs Orvault: your questions
Which is the larger city, Nantes or Orvault?
By population, Nantes: 332,515 inhabitants versus 29,176 for Orvault (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Nantes is the 6th largest city in France, Orvault the 303rd. By area, Nantes is also the larger (65.2 km²).
How far is Nantes from Orvault?
Nantes and Orvault are 6.0 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Loire-Atlantique).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Nantes or Orvault?
To buy an apartment, Nantes is more expensive: €3,621 per m² (median price), versus €2,829 in Orvault (+28%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Nantes or Orvault?
In Orvault, half of the residents have a standard of living above €30,410 a year, versus €26,720 in Nantes (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Nantes and Orvault in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Loire-Atlantique (44), in the Pays de la Loire region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures