2026 comparison
Rochefort (17) vs Saintes: 2026 comparison
Saintes has more inhabitants than Rochefort: 26,773 versus 24,081, or 11% more. Saintes covers a larger area (45.6 km² versus 22.0 km²), but Rochefort is more densely populated: 1,097 inhabitants per km² versus 588.
The median apartment price is higher in Rochefort: €2,359 per m² versus €1,992. The median standard of living is higher in Saintes (€24,560 a year versus €23,220).
The two cities are 34 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
© Patrick Despoix, CC BY-SA 3.0
Rochefort
City in Charente-Maritime
FCharente-Maritime17Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Population
- 24,081 inhab.
- 382nd in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 22.0 km²
- Density
- 1,097 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
RochefortSaintes
| Criterion | Rochefort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saintes+11% | 24,081 | 26,773 | More populous: Saintes+11% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saintes+1.4 pt | −0.5% | +0.9% | Stronger growth: Saintes+1.4 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsSmaller decline: Saintes+4.3 pts | −5.3% | −0.9% | Smaller decline: Saintes+4.3 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Rochefort+87% | 1,097 | 588 | Denser: Rochefort+87% |
| Under 15More young people: Rochefort+1.0 pt | 12.6% | 11.6% | More young people: Rochefort+1.0 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saintes+2.3 pts | 29.5% | 31.8% | More seniors: Saintes+2.3 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Rochefort+0.03 | 1.75 | 1.72 | Larger households: Rochefort+0.03 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Rochefort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Rochefort+18% | 2,359 | 1,992 | More expensive: Rochefort+18% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Rochefort+13% | 2,355 | 2,090 | More expensive: Rochefort+13% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Rochefort+5% | 12.5 | 11.8 | More expensive: Rochefort+5% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Rochefort+10% | 11.0 | 9.9 | More expensive: Rochefort+10% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saintes+4.4 pts | 46.4% | 50.8% | More homeowners: Saintes+4.4 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saintes+11 pts | 46.8% | 58.1% | More houses: Saintes+11 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Rochefort+1.2 pt | 22.6% | 21.5% | More social housing: Rochefort+1.2 pt |
| Second homesMore second homes: Rochefort+8.8 pts | 11.5% | 2.7% | More second homes: Rochefort+8.8 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Rochefort+0.2 pt | 8.8% | 8.6% | More vacant homes: Rochefort+0.2 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Rochefort+0.9 pt | 59.61% | 58.70% | Higher rate: Rochefort+0.9 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 | Rochefort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Saintes+6% | 23,220 | 24,560 | Higher: Saintes+6% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Rochefort+3.3 pts | 21.2% | 17.9% | Higher: Rochefort+3.3 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Saintes+10% | €24,250 | €26,587 | Higher: Saintes+10% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Saintes+3.0 pts | 40% | 43% | More taxpaying households: Saintes+3.0 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saintes+0.3 pt | 72.8% | 73.1% | Higher: Saintes+0.3 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Rochefort+3.3 pts | 17.7% | 14.4% | Higher: Rochefort+3.3 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Rochefort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Hervé Blanché | Bruno Drapron | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous centre | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Rochefort+1.5 pt | 96% | 95% | Better covered: Rochefort+1.5 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Rochefort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saintes+11% | 103.0248 in total | 113.9305 in total | More shops per capita: Saintes+11% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Rochefort+4% | 29.972 in total | 28.877 in total | More per capita: Rochefort+4% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Rochefort+26% | 53.2128 in total | 42.2113 in total | More per capita: Rochefort+26% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes+52% | 27.867 in total | 42.2113 in total | More per capita: Saintes+52% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes+30% | 3.79 in total | 4.913 in total | More per capita: Saintes+30% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes+35% | 5.012 in total | 6.718 in total | More per capita: Saintes+35% |
| 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 | Rochefort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saintes+15% | 4.5 | 5.2 | Better access: Saintes+15% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes+52% | 13.332 in total | 20.254 in total | More per capita: Saintes+52% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Rochefort+4% | 30.774 in total | 29.579 in total | More per capita: Rochefort+4% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Rochefort+29% | 15.437 in total | 12.032 in total | More per capita: Rochefort+29% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saintes+6% | 4.611 in total | 4.913 in total | More per capita: Saintes+6% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saintes+2 | 5 | 7 | More facilities: Saintes+2 |
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 | Rochefort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saintes+6 | 13 | 19 | More schools: Saintes+6 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saintes+1 | 5 | 6 | More middle schools: Saintes+1 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saintes+2 | 5 | 7 | More high schools: Saintes+2 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Rochefort+3 | 4 | 1 | More facilities: Rochefort+3 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Rochefort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saintes2.1 times as high | 3.1 | 6.4 | Higher rate: Saintes2.1 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saintes+31% | 9.9 | 12.9 | Higher rate: Saintes+31% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Rochefort+23% | 6.8 | 5.5 | Higher rate: Rochefort+23% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saintes+26% | 1.7 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Saintes+26% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saintes+24% | 15.2 | 18.8 | Higher rate: Saintes+24% |
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 | Rochefort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Rochefort+0.2 °C | 13.5°C | 13.3°C | Warmer: Rochefort+0.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,043 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saintes+17% | 778 | 907 | Wetter: Saintes+17% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saintes+6 days/year | 117 | 123 | More rainy days: Saintes+6 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saintes+6 days/year | 23 | 29 | More frost days: Saintes+6 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saintes+5 days/year | 15 | 20 | More hot days: Saintes+5 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 | Rochefort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saintes+2 | 22 | 24 | More declarations: Saintes+2 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saintes+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Saintes+1 |
| Radon potential | Low, with aggravating factors | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Rochefort | Saintes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saintes2.1 times as high | 22.0 | 45.6 | Larger: Saintes2.1 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Rochefort+4 m | 11 m | 7 m | Higher: Rochefort+4 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (estuary) | No | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Charente-Maritime (17) | Charente-Maritime (17) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Rochefort Océan | Communauté d'agglomération de Saintes - Grandes Rives - L'Agglo | |
| Urban unit | Rochefort | Saintes | |
| Functional area | Rochefort | Saintes |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Rochefort (17) vs Saintes at a glance
| Criterion | Rochefort | Saintes |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 24,081 | 26,773 |
| Change over 10 years | −5.3% | −0.9% |
| Density per km² | 1,097 | 588 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,359 | 1,992 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,355 | 2,090 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.5 | 11.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 59.61% | 58.70% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 23,220 | 24,560 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 17.7% | 14.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.5 | 5.2 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 3.1 | 6.4 |
| Average temperature | 13.5°C | 13.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,043 |
| Area km² | 22.0 | 45.6 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Rochefort (17) vs Saintes: your questions
Which is the larger city, Rochefort or Saintes?
By population, Saintes: 26,773 inhabitants versus 24,081 for Rochefort (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saintes is the 341st largest city in France, Rochefort the 382nd. By area, Saintes is also the larger (45.6 km²).
How far is Rochefort from Saintes?
Rochefort and Saintes are 34 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Charente-Maritime).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Rochefort or Saintes?
To buy an apartment, Rochefort is more expensive: €2,359 per m² (median price), versus €1,992 in Saintes (+18%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Rochefort or Saintes?
In Saintes, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,560 a year, versus €23,220 in Rochefort (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Rochefort and Saintes in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Charente-Maritime (17), in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures