2026 comparison
Aix-en-Provence vs Saint-Denis (974): 2026 comparison
Saint-Denis has more inhabitants than Aix-en-Provence: 157,142 versus 152,854, or 2.8% more. Aix-en-Provence covers a larger area (186 km² versus 143 km²), but Saint-Denis is more densely populated: 1,101 inhabitants per km² versus 821.
The median apartment price is higher in Aix-en-Provence: €4,797 per m² versus €2,500. The median standard of living is higher in Aix-en-Provence (€29,010 a year versus €20,240).
The two cities are 8,800 km apart as the crow flies.
Aix-en-Provence
City in Bouches-du-Rhône
FBouches-du-Rhône13Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Population
- 152,854 inhab.
- 22nd in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 186 km²
- Density
- 821 per km²
Saint-Denis
City in Réunion
- Population
- 157,142 inhab.
- 20th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 143 km²
- Density
- 1,101 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1954
Aix-en-ProvenceSaint-Denis
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Denis+3% | 152,854 | 157,142 | More populous: Saint-Denis+3% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+1.2 pt | +4.6% | +3.4% | Stronger growth: Aix-en-Provence+1.2 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+3.5 pts | +5.8% | +9.3% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+3.5 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Denis+34% | 821 | 1,101 | Denser: Saint-Denis+34% |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Denis+7.8 pts | 12.8% | 20.6% | More young people: Saint-Denis+7.8 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Aix-en-Provence+5.5 pts | 20.0% | 14.5% | More seniors: Aix-en-Provence+5.5 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Denis+0.39 | 1.84 | 2.23 | Larger households: Saint-Denis+0.39 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+92% | 4,797 | 2,500 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+92% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+93% | 6,137 | 3,183 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+93% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Aix-en-Provence+27% | 19.1 | 15.1 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+27% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Aix-en-Provence+32% | 19.7 | 14.9 | More expensive: Aix-en-Provence+32% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Aix-en-Provence+7.6 pts | 39.1% | 31.5% | More homeowners: Aix-en-Provence+7.6 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Denis+15 pts | 19.5% | 34.0% | More houses: Saint-Denis+15 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Denis+17 pts | 22.0% | 38.9% | More social housing: Saint-Denis+17 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Aix-en-Provence+5.4 pts | 7.2% | 1.8% | More second homes: Aix-en-Provence+5.4 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Denis+0.7 pt | 8.0% | 8.8% | More vacant homes: Saint-Denis+0.7 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Denis+3.0 pts | 36.02% | 38.97% | Higher rate: Saint-Denis+3.0 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 | Aix-en-Provence | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Aix-en-Provence+43% | 29,010 | 20,240 | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+43% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Denis+19 pts | 16.4% | 35.0% | Higher: Saint-Denis+19 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Aix-en-Provence+66% | €41,363 | €24,973 | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+66% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Aix-en-Provence+25 pts | 54% | 29% | More taxpaying households: Aix-en-Provence+25 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Aix-en-Provence+1.0 pt | 70.9% | 69.9% | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+1.0 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Denis+14 pts | 11.2% | 25.4% | Higher: Saint-Denis+14 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Sophie Joissains | Ericka Bareigts | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Denis+1.4 pt | 96% | 97% | Better covered: Saint-Denis+1.4 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Aix-en-Provence+39% | 90.91,390 in total | 65.21,025 in total | More shops per capita: Aix-en-Provence+39% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+25% | 26.5405 in total | 21.3334 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+25% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+27% | 60.1918 in total | 47.3744 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+27% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+9% | 17.1262 in total | 18.7294 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+9% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+50% | 2.132 in total | 1.422 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+50% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence3.8 times as high | 2.944 in total | 0.812 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence3.8 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Aix-en-Provence+2 | 2 | 0 | More stations: Aix-en-Provence+2 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Aix-en-Provence+4% | 5.0 | 4.8 | Better access: Aix-en-Provence+4% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+44% | 14.4220 in total | 10.0157 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+44% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence2.9 times as high | 39.9610 in total | 13.9219 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence2.9 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+67% | 11.4174 in total | 6.8107 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+67% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+17% | 3.351 in total | 2.945 in total | More per capita: Aix-en-Provence+17% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Aix-en-Provence+7 | 17 | 10 | More facilities: Aix-en-Provence+7 |
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 | Aix-en-Provence | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Aix-en-Provence+3 | 88 | 85 | More schools: Aix-en-Provence+3 |
| Middle schoolsTie | 20 | 20 | Tie |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Aix-en-Provence+7 | 21 | 14 | More high schools: Aix-en-Provence+7 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Aix-en-Provence+30 | 56 | 26 | More facilities: Aix-en-Provence+30 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Aix-en-Provence3.0 times as high | 6.2 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence3.0 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence3.1 times as high | 14.6 | 4.7 | Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence3.1 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Denis+5% | 4.3 | 4.5 | Higher rate: Saint-Denis+5% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence4.0 times as high | 4.1 | 1.0 | Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence4.0 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+30% | 9.4 | 7.2 | Higher rate: Aix-en-Provence+30% |
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 | Aix-en-Provence | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Denis+9.8 °C | 14.7°C | 24.5°C | Warmer: Saint-Denis+9.8 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Aix-en-Provence+12% | 2,873 | 2,567 | Sunnier: Aix-en-Provence+12% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Denis2.5 times as high | 609 | 1,530 | Wetter: Saint-Denis2.5 times as high |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Denis+58 days/year | 59 | 117 | More rainy days: Saint-Denis+58 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Aix-en-Provence+43 days/year | 43 | 0 | More frost days: Aix-en-Provence+43 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Denis+19 days/year | 55 | 75 | More hot days: Saint-Denis+19 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 | Aix-en-Provence | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Aix-en-Provence+7 | 28 | 21 | More declarations: Aix-en-Provence+7 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Aix-en-Provence+3 | 4 | 1 | More plans: Aix-en-Provence+3 |
| Radon potential | Low, with aggravating factors | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Aix-en-Provence+30% | 186 | 143 | Larger: Aix-en-Provence+30% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Aix-en-Provence+182 m | 198 m | 15 m | Higher: Aix-en-Provence+182 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Bouches-du-Rhône (13) | Réunion (974) | |
| Intercommunality | Métropole d'Aix-Marseille-Provence | Communauté d'agglomération Intercommunale du Nord de la Réunion (CINOR) | |
| Urban unit | Marseille-Aix-en-Provence | Saint-Denis | |
| Functional area | Marseille - Aix-en-Provence | Saint-Denis |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Aix-en-Provence vs Saint-Denis (974) at a glance
| Criterion | Aix-en-Provence | Saint-Denis |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 152,854 | 157,142 |
| Change over 10 years | +5.8% | +9.3% |
| Density per km² | 821 | 1,101 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,797 | 2,500 |
| Median house price €/m² | 6,137 | 3,183 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 19.1 | 15.1 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 36.02% | 38.97% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 29,010 | 20,240 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.2% | 25.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.0 | 4.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.2 | 2.1 |
| Average temperature | 14.7°C | 24.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,873 | 2,567 |
| Area km² | 186 | 143 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Aix-en-Provence vs Saint-Denis (974): your questions
Which is the larger city, Aix-en-Provence or Saint-Denis?
By population, Saint-Denis: 157,142 inhabitants versus 152,854 for Aix-en-Provence (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Denis is the 20th largest city in France, Aix-en-Provence the 22nd. By area, Aix-en-Provence is the larger (186 km²).
How far is Aix-en-Provence from Saint-Denis?
Aix-en-Provence and Saint-Denis are 8,800 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Aix-en-Provence or Saint-Denis?
To buy an apartment, Aix-en-Provence is more expensive: €4,797 per m² (median price), versus €2,500 in Saint-Denis (+92%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Aix-en-Provence or Saint-Denis?
In Aix-en-Provence, half of the residents have a standard of living above €29,010 a year, versus €20,240 in Saint-Denis (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Aix-en-Provence or Saint-Denis?
Aix-en-Provence: 2,873 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 2,567 in Saint-Denis (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