2026 comparison
Saint-Chamond vs Valence (26): 2026 comparison
Valence has more inhabitants than Saint-Chamond: 65,647 versus 36,065, or 82% more. Saint-Chamond covers a larger area (54.9 km² versus 36.7 km²), but Valence is more densely populated: 1,789 inhabitants per km² versus 657.
The median apartment price is higher in Valence: €2,085 per m² versus €1,275. The median standard of living is higher in Valence (€22,790 a year versus €22,710).
The two cities are 69 km apart as the crow flies.
Saint-Chamond
City in Loire
- Population
- 36,065 inhab.
- 236th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 54.9 km²
- Density
- 657 per km²
Valence
City in Drôme
- Population
- 65,647 inhab.
- 84th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 36.7 km²
- Density
- 1,789 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Saint-ChamondValence
| Criterion | Saint-Chamond | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Valence+82% | 36,065 | 65,647 | More populous: Valence+82% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Chamond+2.3 pts | +1.9% | −0.4% | Stronger growth: Saint-Chamond+2.3 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Valence+3.4 pts | +1.0% | +4.4% | Stronger growth: Valence+3.4 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Valence2.7 times as high | 657 | 1,789 | Denser: Valence2.7 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Chamond+2.3 pts | 18.0% | 15.6% | More young people: Saint-Chamond+2.3 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Chamond+0.8 pt | 23.1% | 22.3% | More seniors: Saint-Chamond+0.8 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Chamond+0.33 | 2.22 | 1.89 | Larger households: Saint-Chamond+0.33 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Saint-Chamond | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Valence+64% | 1,275 | 2,085 | More expensive: Valence+64% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Valence+7% | 2,452 | 2,627 | More expensive: Valence+7% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Valence+3% | 11.5 | 11.9 | More expensive: Valence+3% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedTie | 11.4 | 11.4 | Tie |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Chamond+5.2 pts | 49.2% | 44.0% | More homeowners: Saint-Chamond+5.2 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Chamond+9.1 pts | 31.6% | 22.4% | More houses: Saint-Chamond+9.1 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Chamond+13 pts | 40.8% | 28.1% | More social housing: Saint-Chamond+13 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Valence+2.2 pts | 1.2% | 3.3% | More second homes: Valence+2.2 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Chamond+0.5 pt | 12.0% | 11.5% | More vacant homes: Saint-Chamond+0.5 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Valence+1.2 pt | 44.14% | 45.36% | Higher rate: Valence+1.2 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 | Saint-Chamond | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Valence+0.4% | 22,710 | 22,790 | Higher: Valence+0.4% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Valence+1.3 pt | 22.8% | 24.1% | Higher: Valence+1.3 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Valence+5% | €26,285 | €27,472 | Higher: Valence+5% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Valence+3.4 pts | 39% | 42% | More taxpaying households: Valence+3.4 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Valence+1.3 pt | 72.1% | 73.4% | Higher: Valence+1.3 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Valence+1.3 pt | 14.0% | 15.3% | Higher: Valence+1.3 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Saint-Chamond | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Axel Dugua | Nicolas Daragon | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Chamond+1.7 pt | 98% | 96% | Better covered: Saint-Chamond+1.7 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Saint-Chamond | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Valence+68% | 59.9216 in total | 100.7661 in total | More shops per capita: Valence+68% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Chamond+7% | 26.696 in total | 25.0164 in total | More per capita: Saint-Chamond+7% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valence+84% | 25.090 in total | 45.9301 in total | More per capita: Valence+84% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valence+38% | 16.961 in total | 23.3153 in total | More per capita: Valence+38% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valence+47% | 1.76 in total | 2.416 in total | More per capita: Valence+47% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valence5.8 times as high | 0.62 in total | 3.221 in total | More per capita: Valence5.8 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 | Saint-Chamond | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Valence+5% | 3.5 | 3.6 | Better access: Valence+5% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valence+42% | 6.724 in total | 9.462 in total | More per capita: Valence+42% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valence4.8 times as high | 4.416 in total | 21.3140 in total | More per capita: Valence4.8 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valence+37% | 5.520 in total | 7.650 in total | More per capita: Valence+37% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valence+53% | 2.59 in total | 3.825 in total | More per capita: Valence+53% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Valence+5 | 4 | 9 | More facilities: Valence+5 |
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 | Saint-Chamond | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Valence+18 | 27 | 45 | More schools: Valence+18 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Valence+4 | 5 | 9 | More middle schools: Valence+4 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Valence+7 | 6 | 13 | More high schools: Valence+7 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Valence+23 | 2 | 25 | More facilities: Valence+23 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Saint-Chamond | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Valence+13% | 4.9 | 5.5 | Higher rate: Valence+13% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valence2.2 times as high | 7.1 | 15.8 | Higher rate: Valence2.2 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valence+67% | 3.0 | 5.1 | Higher rate: Valence+67% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valence+5% | 2.6 | 2.7 | Higher rate: Valence+5% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valence+18% | 10.0 | 11.8 | Higher rate: Valence+18% |
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 | Saint-Chamond | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Valence+0.8 °C | 12.5°C | 13.3°C | Warmer: Valence+0.8 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,018 | — | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Valence+28% | 682 | 874 | Wetter: Valence+28% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Chamond+4 days/year | 92 | 88 | More rainy days: Saint-Chamond+4 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Chamond+1 days/year | 46 | 45 | More frost days: Saint-Chamond+1 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Valence+14 days/year | 27 | 41 | More hot days: Valence+14 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 | Saint-Chamond | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Chamond+2 | 12 | 10 | More declarations: Saint-Chamond+2 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Valence+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Valence+1 |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Saint-Chamond | Valence | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Chamond+50% | 54.9 | 36.7 | Larger: Saint-Chamond+50% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Chamond+237 m | 366 m | 128 m | Higher: Saint-Chamond+237 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Large urban centre | |
| Department | Loire (42) | Drôme (26) | |
| Intercommunality | Saint-Etienne Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération Valence Romans Agglo | |
| Urban unit | Saint-Étienne | Valence | |
| Functional area | Saint-Étienne | Valence |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Saint-Chamond vs Valence (26) at a glance
| Criterion | Saint-Chamond | Valence |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 36,065 | 65,647 |
| Change over 10 years | +1.0% | +4.4% |
| Density per km² | 657 | 1,789 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,275 | 2,085 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,452 | 2,627 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.5 | 11.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 44.14% | 45.36% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,710 | 22,790 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 14.0% | 15.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.5 | 3.6 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.9 | 5.5 |
| Average temperature | 12.5°C | 13.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,018 | — |
| Area km² | 54.9 | 36.7 |
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FAQ
Saint-Chamond vs Valence (26): your questions
Which is the larger city, Saint-Chamond or Valence?
By population, Valence: 65,647 inhabitants versus 36,065 for Saint-Chamond (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Valence is the 84th largest city in France, Saint-Chamond the 236th. By area, Saint-Chamond is the larger (54.9 km²).
How far is Saint-Chamond from Valence?
Saint-Chamond and Valence are 69 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Saint-Chamond or Valence?
To buy an apartment, Valence is more expensive: €2,085 per m² (median price), versus €1,275 in Saint-Chamond (+64%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Saint-Chamond or Valence?
In Valence, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,790 a year, versus €22,710 in Saint-Chamond (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Saint-Chamond and Valence in the same department?
No: Saint-Chamond is in Loire (42), and Valence in Drôme (26), both in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures