2026 comparison
Niort vs Saintes: 2026 comparison
Niort has more inhabitants than Saintes: 61,675 versus 26,773, or 2.3 times as many. Niort is both larger (68.2 km² versus 45.6 km²) and more densely populated (904 inhabitants per km² versus 588).
The median apartment price is higher in Saintes: €1,992 per m² versus €1,923. The median standard of living is higher in Niort (€25,970 a year versus €24,560).
The two cities are 66 km apart as the crow flies.
© dynamosquito from France, CC BY 2.0
Niort
City in Deux-Sèvres
FDeux-Sèvres79Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Population
- 61,675 inhab.
- 95th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 68.2 km²
- Density
- 904 per km²
Saintes
City in Charente-Maritime
FCharente-Maritime17Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Population
- 26,773 inhab.
- 341st in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 45.6 km²
- Density
- 588 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
NiortSaintes
| Criterion | Niort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Niort2.3 times as high | 61,675 | 26,773 | More populous: Niort2.3 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Niort+0.5 pt | +1.3% | +0.9% | Stronger growth: Niort+0.5 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Niort+5.2 pts | +4.3% | −0.9% | Stronger growth: Niort+5.2 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Niort+54% | 904 | 588 | Denser: Niort+54% |
| Under 15More young people: Niort+3.0 pts | 14.6% | 11.6% | More young people: Niort+3.0 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saintes+9.0 pts | 22.8% | 31.8% | More seniors: Saintes+9.0 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Niort+0.11 | 1.83 | 1.72 | Larger households: Niort+0.11 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Niort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saintes+4% | 1,923 | 1,992 | More expensive: Saintes+4% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saintes+4% | 2,000 | 2,090 | More expensive: Saintes+4% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saintes+2% | 11.6 | 11.8 | More expensive: Saintes+2% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedTie | 9.9 | 9.9 | Tie |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saintes+1.3 pt | 49.5% | 50.8% | More homeowners: Saintes+1.3 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saintes+0.4 pt | 57.7% | 58.1% | More houses: Saintes+0.4 pt |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Niort+2.7 pts | 24.2% | 21.5% | More social housing: Niort+2.7 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Niort+0.6 pt | 3.3% | 2.7% | More second homes: Niort+0.6 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saintes+0.7 pt | 8.0% | 8.6% | More vacant homes: Saintes+0.7 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saintes+9.3 pts | 49.39% | 58.70% | Higher rate: Saintes+9.3 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 | Niort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Niort+6% | 25,970 | 24,560 | Higher: Niort+6% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saintes+1.5 pt | 16.4% | 17.9% | Higher: Saintes+1.5 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Niort+14% | €30,378 | €26,587 | Higher: Niort+14% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Niort+7.1 pts | 50% | 43% | More taxpaying households: Niort+7.1 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Niort+4.1 pts | 77.2% | 73.1% | Higher: Niort+4.1 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saintes+2.9 pts | 11.5% | 14.4% | Higher: Saintes+2.9 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Niort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Jérôme Baloge | Bruno Drapron | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous centre | miscellaneous centre | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Niort+3.8 pts | 98% | 95% | Better covered: Niort+3.8 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Niort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saintes+50% | 76.0469 in total | 113.9305 in total | More shops per capita: Saintes+50% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes+39% | 20.8128 in total | 28.877 in total | More per capita: Saintes+39% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes+32% | 31.9197 in total | 42.2113 in total | More per capita: Saintes+32% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes+72% | 24.5151 in total | 42.2113 in total | More per capita: Saintes+72% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes+43% | 3.421 in total | 4.913 in total | More per capita: Saintes+43% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes2.2 times as high | 3.119 in total | 6.718 in total | More per capita: Saintes2.2 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 | Niort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saintes+32% | 3.9 | 5.2 | Better access: Saintes+32% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes2.0 times as high | 9.961 in total | 20.254 in total | More per capita: Saintes2.0 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes+12% | 26.4163 in total | 29.579 in total | More per capita: Saintes+12% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes+99% | 6.037 in total | 12.032 in total | More per capita: Saintes+99% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes+25% | 3.924 in total | 4.913 in total | More per capita: Saintes+25% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Niort+3 | 10 | 7 | More facilities: Niort+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 | Niort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Niort+18 | 37 | 19 | More schools: Niort+18 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Niort+7 | 13 | 6 | More middle schools: Niort+7 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Niort+3 | 10 | 7 | More high schools: Niort+3 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Niort+14 | 15 | 1 | More facilities: Niort+14 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Niort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Niort+63% | 10.4 | 6.4 | Higher rate: Niort+63% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saintes+52% | 8.5 | 12.9 | Higher rate: Saintes+52% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saintes+37% | 4.0 | 5.5 | Higher rate: Saintes+37% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saintes+24% | 1.7 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Saintes+24% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saintes+90% | 9.9 | 18.8 | Higher rate: Saintes+90% |
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 | Niort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saintes+0.5 °C | 12.8°C | 13.3°C | Warmer: Saintes+0.5 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Saintes+2% | 2,006 | 2,043 | Sunnier: Saintes+2% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saintes+7% | 847 | 907 | Wetter: Saintes+7% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saintes+5 days/year | 118 | 123 | More rainy days: Saintes+5 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Niort+6 days/year | 35 | 29 | More frost days: Niort+6 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saintes+2 days/year | 18 | 20 | More hot days: Saintes+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 | Niort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Niort+2 | 26 | 24 | More declarations: Niort+2 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saintes+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Saintes+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Niort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Niort+50% | 68.2 | 45.6 | Larger: Niort+50% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Niort+19 m | 26 m | 7 m | Higher: Niort+19 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| Department | Deux-Sèvres (79) | Charente-Maritime (17) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération du Niortais | Communauté d'agglomération de Saintes - Grandes Rives - L'Agglo | |
| Urban unit | Niort | Saintes | |
| Functional area | Niort | Saintes |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Niort vs Saintes at a glance
| Criterion | Niort | Saintes |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 61,675 | 26,773 |
| Change over 10 years | +4.3% | −0.9% |
| Density per km² | 904 | 588 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,923 | 1,992 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,000 | 2,090 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.6 | 11.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 49.39% | 58.70% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,970 | 24,560 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.5% | 14.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.9 | 5.2 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 10.4 | 6.4 |
| Average temperature | 12.8°C | 13.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,006 | 2,043 |
| Area km² | 68.2 | 45.6 |
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FAQ
Niort vs Saintes: your questions
Which is the larger city, Niort or Saintes?
By population, Niort: 61,675 inhabitants versus 26,773 for Saintes (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Niort is the 95th largest city in France, Saintes the 341st. By area, Niort is also the larger (68.2 km²).
How far is Niort from Saintes?
Niort and Saintes are 66 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Niort or Saintes?
To buy an apartment, Saintes is more expensive: €1,992 per m² (median price), versus €1,923 in Niort (+4%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Niort or Saintes?
In Niort, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,970 a year, versus €24,560 in Saintes (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Niort or Saintes?
Saintes: 2,043 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 2,006 in Niort (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