2026 comparison
Bordeaux vs Saint-Étienne: 2026 comparison
Bordeaux has more inhabitants than Saint-Étienne: 271,552 versus 174,698, or 55% more. Saint-Étienne covers a larger area (80.0 km² versus 49.4 km²), but Bordeaux is more densely populated: 5,501 inhabitants per km² versus 2,185.
The median apartment price is higher in Bordeaux: €4,375 per m² versus €1,219. The median standard of living is higher in Bordeaux (€27,590 a year versus €20,880).
The two cities are 393 km apart as the crow flies.
Bordeaux
City in Gironde
- Population
- 271,552 inhab.
- 9th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 49.4 km²
- Density
- 5,501 per km²
Saint-Étienne
City in Loire
- Population
- 174,698 inhab.
- 14th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 80.0 km²
- Density
- 2,185 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
BordeauxSaint-Étienne
| Criterion | Bordeaux | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Bordeaux+55% | 271,552 | 174,698 | More populous: Bordeaux+55% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Bordeaux+4.2 pts | +4.2% | +0.0% | Stronger growth: Bordeaux+4.2 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Bordeaux+9.4 pts | +10.0% | +0.6% | Stronger growth: Bordeaux+9.4 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Bordeaux2.5 times as high | 5,501 | 2,185 | Denser: Bordeaux2.5 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Étienne+3.6 pts | 13.4% | 17.0% | More young people: Saint-Étienne+3.6 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Étienne+5.6 pts | 15.0% | 20.5% | More seniors: Saint-Étienne+5.6 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Étienne+0.18 | 1.77 | 1.95 | Larger households: Saint-Étienne+0.18 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Bordeaux | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Bordeaux3.6 times as high | 4,375 | 1,219 | More expensive: Bordeaux3.6 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Bordeaux2.4 times as high | 5,148 | 2,172 | More expensive: Bordeaux2.4 times as high |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Bordeaux+62% | 16.0 | 9.9 | More expensive: Bordeaux+62% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Bordeaux+71% | 15.5 | 9.1 | More expensive: Bordeaux+71% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Étienne+5.9 pts | 33.0% | 38.9% | More homeowners: Saint-Étienne+5.9 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Bordeaux+9.6 pts | 20.3% | 10.7% | More houses: Bordeaux+9.6 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Étienne+12 pts | 20.4% | 31.9% | More social housing: Saint-Étienne+12 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Bordeaux+4.5 pts | 6.9% | 2.4% | More second homes: Bordeaux+4.5 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+5.3 pts | 6.8% | 12.0% | More vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+5.3 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Bordeaux+1.3 pt | 49.54% | 48.28% | Higher rate: Bordeaux+1.3 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 | Bordeaux | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Bordeaux+32% | 27,590 | 20,880 | Higher: Bordeaux+32% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Étienne+12 pts | 18.9% | 30.4% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+12 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Bordeaux+56% | €36,660 | €23,469 | Higher: Bordeaux+56% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Bordeaux+15 pts | 52% | 37% | More taxpaying households: Bordeaux+15 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Bordeaux+6.0 pts | 74.3% | 68.3% | Higher: Bordeaux+6.0 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Étienne+7.2 pts | 11.8% | 19.0% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+7.2 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Bordeaux | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Thomas Cazenave | Régis Juanico | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the centre | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Étienne+0.3 pt | 96% | 97% | Better covered: Saint-Étienne+0.3 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Bordeaux | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Bordeaux+35% | 86.82,356 in total | 64.31,123 in total | More shops per capita: Bordeaux+35% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bordeaux+13% | 24.7671 in total | 21.9383 in total | More per capita: Bordeaux+13% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bordeaux+94% | 72.41,965 in total | 37.4653 in total | More per capita: Bordeaux+94% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+93% | 7.4201 in total | 14.3250 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+93% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bordeaux+6% | 1.541 in total | 1.425 in total | More per capita: Bordeaux+6% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bordeaux2.7 times as high | 3.183 in total | 1.120 in total | More per capita: Bordeaux2.7 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Saint-Étienne+3 | 2 | 5 | More stations: Saint-Étienne+3 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Bordeaux | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Bordeaux+64% | 6.3 | 3.8 | Better access: Bordeaux+64% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bordeaux+81% | 16.6452 in total | 9.2161 in total | More per capita: Bordeaux+81% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bordeaux2.7 times as high | 42.21,145 in total | 15.7275 in total | More per capita: Bordeaux2.7 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bordeaux2.6 times as high | 10.7290 in total | 4.172 in total | More per capita: Bordeaux2.6 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Bordeaux+38% | 3.9107 in total | 2.950 in total | More per capita: Bordeaux+38% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Bordeaux+11 | 20 | 9 | More facilities: Bordeaux+11 |
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 | Bordeaux | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Bordeaux+35 | 125 | 90 | More schools: Bordeaux+35 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Bordeaux+8 | 32 | 24 | More middle schools: Bordeaux+8 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Bordeaux+17 | 41 | 24 | More high schools: Bordeaux+17 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Bordeaux+81 | 120 | 39 | More facilities: Bordeaux+81 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Bordeaux | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Étienne+45% | 6.9 | 9.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+45% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Bordeaux2.6 times as high | 39.1 | 15.3 | Higher rate: Bordeaux2.6 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Bordeaux+18% | 5.1 | 4.3 | Higher rate: Bordeaux+18% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Bordeaux+12% | 3.1 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Bordeaux+12% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+3% | 14.7 | 15.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+3% |
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 | Bordeaux | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Bordeaux+2.9 °C | 14.3°C | 11.4°C | Warmer: Bordeaux+2.9 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Bordeaux+3% | 2,070 | 2,018 | Sunnier: Bordeaux+3% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Bordeaux+11% | 884 | 794 | Wetter: Bordeaux+11% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Bordeaux+19 days/year | 124 | 105 | More rainy days: Bordeaux+19 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Étienne+34 days/year | 26 | 60 | More frost days: Saint-Étienne+34 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Bordeaux+11 days/year | 31 | 20 | More hot days: Bordeaux+11 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 | Bordeaux | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Bordeaux+29 | 50 | 21 | More declarations: Bordeaux+29 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Étienne+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Saint-Étienne+1 |
| Radon potential | Low, with aggravating factors | Significant |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Bordeaux | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Étienne+62% | 49.4 | 80.0 | Larger: Saint-Étienne+62% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Étienne+506 m | 9 m | 515 m | Higher: Saint-Étienne+506 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Gironde (33) | Loire (42) | |
| Intercommunality | Bordeaux Métropole | Saint-Etienne Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Bordeaux | Saint-Étienne | |
| Functional area | Bordeaux | Saint-Étienne |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Bordeaux vs Saint-Étienne at a glance
| Criterion | Bordeaux | Saint-Étienne |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 271,552 | 174,698 |
| Change over 10 years | +10.0% | +0.6% |
| Density per km² | 5,501 | 2,185 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,375 | 1,219 |
| Median house price €/m² | 5,148 | 2,172 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 16.0 | 9.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 49.54% | 48.28% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 27,590 | 20,880 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.8% | 19.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 6.3 | 3.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.9 | 9.9 |
| Average temperature | 14.3°C | 11.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,070 | 2,018 |
| Area km² | 49.4 | 80.0 |
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FAQ
Bordeaux vs Saint-Étienne: your questions
Which is the larger city, Bordeaux or Saint-Étienne?
By population, Bordeaux: 271,552 inhabitants versus 174,698 for Saint-Étienne (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Bordeaux is the 9th largest city in France, Saint-Étienne the 14th. By area, Saint-Étienne is the larger (80.0 km²).
How far is Bordeaux from Saint-Étienne?
Bordeaux and Saint-Étienne are 393 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Bordeaux or Saint-Étienne?
To buy an apartment, Bordeaux is more expensive: €4,375 per m² (median price), versus €1,219 in Saint-Étienne (+259%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Bordeaux or Saint-Étienne?
In Bordeaux, half of the residents have a standard of living above €27,590 a year, versus €20,880 in Saint-Étienne (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Bordeaux or Saint-Étienne?
Bordeaux: 2,070 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 2,018 in Saint-Étienne (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