2026 comparison
Orvault vs Saint-Nazaire (44): 2026 comparison
Saint-Nazaire has more inhabitants than Orvault: 76,243 versus 29,176, or 2.6 times as many. Saint-Nazaire is both larger (46.8 km² versus 27.7 km²) and more densely populated (1,629 inhabitants per km² versus 1,054).
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Nazaire: €2,917 per m² versus €2,829. The median standard of living is higher in Orvault (€30,410 a year versus €24,750).
The two cities are 47 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
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
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
OrvaultSaint-Nazaire
| Criterion | Orvault | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Nazaire2.6 times as high | 29,176 | 76,243 | More populous: Saint-Nazaire2.6 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Orvault+0.4 pt | +6.0% | +5.6% | Stronger growth: Orvault+0.4 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Orvault+5.7 pts | +14.5% | +8.8% | Stronger growth: Orvault+5.7 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Nazaire+55% | 1,054 | 1,629 | Denser: Saint-Nazaire+55% |
| Under 15More young people: Orvault+3.0 pts | 18.9% | 15.9% | More young people: Orvault+3.0 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Nazaire+3.7 pts | 20.9% | 24.6% | More seniors: Saint-Nazaire+3.7 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Orvault+0.33 | 2.23 | 1.90 | Larger households: Orvault+0.33 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Orvault | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Nazaire+3% | 2,829 | 2,917 | More expensive: Saint-Nazaire+3% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Orvault+23% | 3,642 | 2,955 | More expensive: Orvault+23% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Orvault+8% | 13.8 | 12.8 | More expensive: Orvault+8% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Orvault+1% | 12.6 | 12.4 | More expensive: Orvault+1% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Orvault+18 pts | 65.4% | 47.8% | More homeowners: Orvault+18 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Orvault+18 pts | 55.6% | 37.9% | More houses: Orvault+18 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Nazaire+7.0 pts | 22.0% | 28.9% | More social housing: Saint-Nazaire+7.0 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Nazaire+4.8 pts | 1.7% | 6.5% | More second homes: Saint-Nazaire+4.8 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Nazaire+3.3 pts | 3.9% | 7.1% | More vacant homes: Saint-Nazaire+3.3 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Orvault+12 pts | 51.50% | 39.08% | Higher rate: Orvault+12 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 | Orvault | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Orvault+23% | 30,410 | 24,750 | Higher: Orvault+23% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Nazaire+6.7 pts | 11.3% | 18.0% | Higher: Saint-Nazaire+6.7 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Orvault+48% | €41,468 | €28,112 | Higher: Orvault+48% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Orvault+10 pts | 57% | 47% | More taxpaying households: Orvault+10 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Orvault+3.1 pts | 77.5% | 74.4% | Higher: Orvault+3.1 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Nazaire+4.2 pts | 8.8% | 13.0% | Higher: Saint-Nazaire+4.2 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Orvault | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Sébastien Arrouët | David Samzun | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Nazaire+1.8 pt | 95% | 96% | Better covered: Saint-Nazaire+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 | Orvault | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Orvault+8% | 53.8157 in total | 50.0381 in total | More shops per capita: Orvault+8% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Orvault+9% | 16.849 in total | 15.5118 in total | More per capita: Orvault+9% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+76% | 16.548 in total | 29.0221 in total | More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+76% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Orvault+15% | 19.256 in total | 16.7127 in total | More per capita: Orvault+15% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+15% | 1.75 in total | 2.015 in total | More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+15% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 1.44 in total | 1.411 in total | Tie |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Saint-Nazaire+3 | 0 | 3 | More stations: Saint-Nazaire+3 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Orvault | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Orvault+39% | 5.1 | 3.7 | Better access: Orvault+39% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+14% | 10.330 in total | 11.789 in total | More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+14% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Nazaire4.2 times as high | 5.516 in total | 23.2177 in total | More per capita: Saint-Nazaire4.2 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Orvault2.3 times as high | 11.032 in total | 4.736 in total | More per capita: Orvault2.3 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+15% | 2.78 in total | 3.124 in total | More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+15% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Nazaire+13 | 0 | 13 | More facilities: Saint-Nazaire+13 |
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 | Orvault | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Nazaire+17 | 16 | 33 | More schools: Saint-Nazaire+17 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Nazaire+9 | 1 | 10 | More middle schools: Saint-Nazaire+9 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Nazaire+10 | 2 | 12 | More high schools: Saint-Nazaire+10 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-Nazaire+12 | 0 | 12 | More facilities: Saint-Nazaire+12 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Orvault | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Orvault+67% | 11.5 | 6.9 | Higher rate: Orvault+67% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire2.3 times as high | 6.9 | 16.0 | Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire2.3 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire+54% | 2.5 | 3.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire+54% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Orvault+20% | 2.4 | 2.0 | Higher rate: Orvault+20% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire2.2 times as high | 6.0 | 13.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire2.2 times as high |
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 | Orvault | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Orvault+0.1 °C | 12.7°C | 12.6°C | Warmer: Orvault+0.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Saint-Nazaire+1% | 1,873 | 1,893 | Sunnier: Saint-Nazaire+1% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Orvault+3% | 820 | 792 | Wetter: Orvault+3% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Orvault+4 days/year | 120 | 116 | More rainy days: Orvault+4 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Orvault+2 days/year | 29 | 27 | More frost days: Orvault+2 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Orvault+3 days/year | 12 | 9 | More hot days: Orvault+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 | Orvault | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Orvault+5 | 15 | 10 | More declarations: Orvault+5 |
| 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 | Orvault | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Nazaire+69% | 27.7 | 46.8 | Larger: Saint-Nazaire+69% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Orvault+31 m | 43 m | 12 m | Higher: Orvault+31 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Loire-Atlantique (44) | Loire-Atlantique (44) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Nantes Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération de la Région Nazairienne et de l'Estuaire (CARENE) | |
| Urban unit | Nantes | Saint-Nazaire | |
| Functional area | Nantes | Saint-Nazaire |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Orvault vs Saint-Nazaire (44) at a glance
| Criterion | Orvault | Saint-Nazaire |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 29,176 | 76,243 |
| Change over 10 years | +14.5% | +8.8% |
| Density per km² | 1,054 | 1,629 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,829 | 2,917 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,642 | 2,955 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.8 | 12.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 51.50% | 39.08% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 30,410 | 24,750 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 8.8% | 13.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.1 | 3.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 11.5 | 6.9 |
| Average temperature | 12.7°C | 12.6°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,873 | 1,893 |
| Area km² | 27.7 | 46.8 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
Orvault vs Saint-Nazaire (44): your questions
Which is the larger city, Orvault or Saint-Nazaire?
By population, Saint-Nazaire: 76,243 inhabitants versus 29,176 for Orvault (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Nazaire is the 69th largest city in France, Orvault the 303rd. By area, Saint-Nazaire is also the larger (46.8 km²).
How far is Orvault from Saint-Nazaire?
Orvault and Saint-Nazaire are 47 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 Orvault or Saint-Nazaire?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Nazaire is more expensive: €2,917 per m² (median price), versus €2,829 in Orvault (+3%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Orvault or Saint-Nazaire?
In Orvault, half of the residents have a standard of living above €30,410 a year, versus €24,750 in Saint-Nazaire (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Orvault or Saint-Nazaire?
Saint-Nazaire: 1,893 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,873 in Orvault (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