2026 comparison
Roanne vs Saint-Chamond: 2026 comparison
Roanne has more inhabitants than Saint-Chamond: 36,067 versus 36,065, or 0.0% more. Saint-Chamond covers a larger area (54.9 km² versus 16.1 km²), but Roanne is more densely populated: 2,237 inhabitants per km² versus 657.
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Chamond: €1,275 per m² versus €1,224. The median standard of living is higher in Saint-Chamond (€22,710 a year versus €21,580).
The two cities are 72 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Roanne
City in Loire
- Population
- 36,067 inhab.
- 235th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 16.1 km²
- Density
- 2,237 per km²
Saint-Chamond
City in Loire
- Population
- 36,065 inhab.
- 236th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 54.9 km²
- Density
- 657 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
RoanneSaint-Chamond
| Criterion | Roanne | Saint-Chamond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Roanne+0.0% | 36,067 | 36,065 | More populous: Roanne+0.0% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Roanne+2.2 pts | +4.1% | +1.9% | Stronger growth: Roanne+2.2 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Chamond+1.2 pt | −0.3% | +1.0% | Stronger growth: Saint-Chamond+1.2 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Roanne3.4 times as high | 2,237 | 657 | Denser: Roanne3.4 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Chamond+4.4 pts | 13.6% | 18.0% | More young people: Saint-Chamond+4.4 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Roanne+3.7 pts | 26.8% | 23.1% | More seniors: Roanne+3.7 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Chamond+0.49 | 1.73 | 2.22 | Larger households: Saint-Chamond+0.49 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Roanne | Saint-Chamond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Chamond+4% | 1,224 | 1,275 | More expensive: Saint-Chamond+4% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Chamond+38% | 1,776 | 2,452 | More expensive: Saint-Chamond+38% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Chamond+21% | 9.5 | 11.5 | More expensive: Saint-Chamond+21% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Chamond+24% | 9.2 | 11.4 | More expensive: Saint-Chamond+24% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Chamond+11 pts | 38.5% | 49.2% | More homeowners: Saint-Chamond+11 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Chamond+10 pts | 21.1% | 31.6% | More houses: Saint-Chamond+10 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Chamond+9.6 pts | 31.2% | 40.8% | More social housing: Saint-Chamond+9.6 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Roanne+1.9 pt | 3.1% | 1.2% | More second homes: Roanne+1.9 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Chamond+0.4 pt | 11.6% | 12.0% | More vacant homes: Saint-Chamond+0.4 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Chamond+2.8 pts | 41.32% | 44.14% | Higher rate: Saint-Chamond+2.8 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 | Roanne | Saint-Chamond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Saint-Chamond+5% | 21,580 | 22,710 | Higher: Saint-Chamond+5% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Roanne+3.2 pts | 26.0% | 22.8% | Higher: Roanne+3.2 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Saint-Chamond+19% | €22,160 | €26,285 | Higher: Saint-Chamond+19% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Saint-Chamond+2.1 pts | 37% | 39% | More taxpaying households: Saint-Chamond+2.1 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Chamond+2.9 pts | 69.1% | 72.1% | Higher: Saint-Chamond+2.9 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Roanne+3.4 pts | 17.4% | 14.0% | Higher: Roanne+3.4 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Roanne | Saint-Chamond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Yves Nicolin | Axel Dugua | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | Les Républicains | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Roanne+1.2 pt | 99% | 98% | Better covered: Roanne+1.2 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Roanne | Saint-Chamond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Roanne+63% | 97.9353 in total | 59.9216 in total | More shops per capita: Roanne+63% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Chamond+4% | 25.592 in total | 26.696 in total | More per capita: Saint-Chamond+4% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roanne+53% | 38.3138 in total | 25.090 in total | More per capita: Roanne+53% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roanne+26% | 21.377 in total | 16.961 in total | More per capita: Roanne+26% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roanne+33% | 2.28 in total | 1.76 in total | More per capita: Roanne+33% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roanne2.5 times as high | 1.45 in total | 0.62 in total | More per capita: Roanne2.5 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 | Roanne | Saint-Chamond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Chamond+5% | 3.3 | 3.5 | Better access: Saint-Chamond+5% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roanne+58% | 10.538 in total | 6.724 in total | More per capita: Roanne+58% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roanne6.6 times as high | 29.1105 in total | 4.416 in total | More per capita: Roanne6.6 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roanne2.1 times as high | 11.943 in total | 5.520 in total | More per capita: Roanne2.1 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roanne+44% | 3.613 in total | 2.59 in total | More per capita: Roanne+44% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Roanne+1 | 5 | 4 | More facilities: Roanne+1 |
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 | Roanne | Saint-Chamond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Chamond+11 | 16 | 27 | More schools: Saint-Chamond+11 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Roanne+2 | 7 | 5 | More middle schools: Roanne+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Roanne+4 | 10 | 6 | More high schools: Roanne+4 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Roanne+2 | 4 | 2 | More facilities: Roanne+2 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Roanne | Saint-Chamond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Chamond+83% | 2.7 | 4.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Chamond+83% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Roanne+56% | 11.0 | 7.1 | Higher rate: Roanne+56% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Roanne2.1 times as high | 6.5 | 3.0 | Higher rate: Roanne2.1 times as high |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Chamond2.0 times as high | 1.3 | 2.6 | Higher rate: Saint-Chamond2.0 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Roanne+42% | 14.2 | 10.0 | Higher rate: Roanne+42% |
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 | Roanne | Saint-Chamond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Chamond+0.2 °C | 12.3°C | 12.5°C | Warmer: Saint-Chamond+0.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,018 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Roanne+4% | 711 | 682 | Wetter: Roanne+4% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Roanne+15 days/year | 107 | 92 | More rainy days: Roanne+15 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Roanne+15 days/year | 61 | 46 | More frost days: Roanne+15 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Roanne+3 days/year | 30 | 27 | More hot days: Roanne+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 | Roanne | Saint-Chamond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Roanne+3 | 15 | 12 | More declarations: Roanne+3 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Chamond+1 | 0 | 1 | More plans: Saint-Chamond+1 |
| Radon potential | Low, with aggravating factors | Significant |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Roanne | Saint-Chamond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Chamond3.4 times as high | 16.1 | 54.9 | Larger: Saint-Chamond3.4 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Chamond+90 m | 276 m | 366 m | Higher: Saint-Chamond+90 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Loire (42) | Loire (42) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Roannais Agglomération | Saint-Etienne Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Roanne | Saint-Étienne | |
| Functional area | Roanne | Saint-Étienne |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Roanne vs Saint-Chamond at a glance
| Criterion | Roanne | Saint-Chamond |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 36,067 | 36,065 |
| Change over 10 years | −0.3% | +1.0% |
| Density per km² | 2,237 | 657 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,224 | 1,275 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,776 | 2,452 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 9.5 | 11.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 41.32% | 44.14% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 21,580 | 22,710 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 17.4% | 14.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 99% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.3 | 3.5 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 2.7 | 4.9 |
| Average temperature | 12.3°C | 12.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,018 |
| Area km² | 16.1 | 54.9 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Roanne vs Saint-Chamond: your questions
Which is the larger city, Roanne or Saint-Chamond?
By population, Roanne: 36,067 inhabitants versus 36,065 for Saint-Chamond (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Roanne is the 235th largest city in France, Saint-Chamond the 236th. By area, Saint-Chamond is the larger (54.9 km²).
How far is Roanne from Saint-Chamond?
Roanne and Saint-Chamond are 72 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Loire).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Roanne or Saint-Chamond?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Chamond is more expensive: €1,275 per m² (median price), versus €1,224 in Roanne (+4%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Roanne or Saint-Chamond?
In Saint-Chamond, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,710 a year, versus €21,580 in Roanne (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Roanne and Saint-Chamond in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Loire (42), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures