2026 comparison
Brest vs Saint-Brieuc: 2026 comparison
Brest has more inhabitants than Saint-Brieuc: 144,890 versus 45,736, or 3.2 times as many. Brest is both larger (49.5 km² versus 21.9 km²) and more densely populated (2,926 inhabitants per km² versus 2,090).
The median apartment price is higher in Brest: €2,087 per m² versus €1,671. The median standard of living is higher in Brest (€24,030 a year versus €23,440).
The two cities are 128 km apart as the crow flies.
Brest
City in Finistère
- Population
- 144,890 inhab.
- 26th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 49.5 km²
- Density
- 2,926 per km²
Saint-Brieuc
City in Côtes-d'Armor
- Population
- 45,736 inhab.
- 161st in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 21.9 km²
- Density
- 2,090 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
BrestSaint-Brieuc
| Criterion | Brest | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Brest3.2 times as high | 144,890 | 45,736 | More populous: Brest3.2 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Brest+1.5 pt | +2.0% | +0.4% | Stronger growth: Brest+1.5 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Brest+4.3 pts | +2.1% | −2.1% | Stronger growth: Brest+4.3 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Brest+40% | 2,926 | 2,090 | Denser: Brest+40% |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Brieuc+1.5 pt | 13.9% | 15.4% | More young people: Saint-Brieuc+1.5 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Brieuc+5.7 pts | 17.6% | 23.3% | More seniors: Saint-Brieuc+5.7 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Brieuc+0.03 | 1.78 | 1.81 | Larger households: Saint-Brieuc+0.03 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Brest | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Brest+25% | 2,087 | 1,671 | More expensive: Brest+25% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Brest+22% | 2,397 | 1,965 | More expensive: Brest+22% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Brest+7% | 12.2 | 11.4 | More expensive: Brest+7% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Brest+12% | 10.8 | 9.7 | More expensive: Brest+12% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Brieuc+6.3 pts | 42.6% | 48.9% | More homeowners: Saint-Brieuc+6.3 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Brieuc+14 pts | 24.7% | 38.4% | More houses: Saint-Brieuc+14 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Brest+1.5 pt | 28.3% | 26.7% | More social housing: Brest+1.5 pt |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Brieuc+0.9 pt | 4.1% | 5.0% | More second homes: Saint-Brieuc+0.9 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Brieuc+3.9 pts | 6.5% | 10.4% | More vacant homes: Saint-Brieuc+3.9 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+5.8 pts | 43.83% | 49.66% | Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+5.8 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 | Brest | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Brest+3% | 24,030 | 23,440 | Higher: Brest+3% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Brieuc+2.1 pts | 20.3% | 22.4% | Higher: Saint-Brieuc+2.1 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Brest+5% | €26,140 | €24,792 | Higher: Brest+5% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Brest+4.2 pts | 46% | 41% | More taxpaying households: Brest+4.2 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Brieuc+2.6 pts | 70.0% | 72.6% | Higher: Saint-Brieuc+2.6 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Brieuc+0.8 pt | 13.5% | 14.3% | Higher: Saint-Brieuc+0.8 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Brest | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Stéphane Roudaut | Victor Bonnot | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberTie | 98% | 98% | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Brest | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Brieuc+10% | 55.4803 in total | 61.0279 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Brieuc+10% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Brieuc+25% | 14.1205 in total | 17.781 in total | More per capita: Saint-Brieuc+25% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Brieuc+27% | 29.5427 in total | 37.4171 in total | More per capita: Saint-Brieuc+27% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Brieuc+23% | 24.4354 in total | 30.2138 in total | More per capita: Saint-Brieuc+23% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Brieuc+93% | 1.623 in total | 3.114 in total | More per capita: Saint-Brieuc+93% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Brieuc+16% | 2.130 in total | 2.411 in total | More per capita: Saint-Brieuc+16% |
| 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 | Brest | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Brest+49% | 5.3 | 3.6 | Better access: Brest+49% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Brest+48% | 12.3178 in total | 8.338 in total | More per capita: Brest+48% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Brest+76% | 26.2379 in total | 14.968 in total | More per capita: Brest+76% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Brieuc+2% | 7.5109 in total | 7.735 in total | More per capita: Saint-Brieuc+2% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Brieuc+32% | 2.536 in total | 3.315 in total | More per capita: Saint-Brieuc+32% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Brest+9 | 18 | 9 | More facilities: Brest+9 |
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 | Brest | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Brest+31 | 59 | 28 | More schools: Brest+31 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Brest+11 | 21 | 10 | More middle schools: Brest+11 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Brest+10 | 22 | 12 | More high schools: Brest+10 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Brest+25 | 40 | 15 | More facilities: Brest+25 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Brest | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Brest+6% | 4.7 | 4.4 | Higher rate: Brest+6% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+24% | 11.3 | 13.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+24% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+37% | 4.6 | 6.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+37% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Brest+54% | 2.2 | 1.4 | Higher rate: Brest+54% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+28% | 11.6 | 14.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+28% |
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 | Brest | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Brest+0.3 °C | 11.7°C | 11.4°C | Warmer: Brest+0.3 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Saint-Brieuc+4% | 1,555 | 1,616 | Sunnier: Saint-Brieuc+4% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Brest+62% | 1,230 | 757 | Wetter: Brest+62% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Brest+30 days/year | 160 | 130 | More rainy days: Brest+30 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Brieuc+3 days/year | 14 | 17 | More frost days: Saint-Brieuc+3 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
Climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each commune. Source: Météo-France, climate normals
Natural hazards
Natural disasters and prevention
| Criterion | Brest | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Brest+5 | 17 | 12 | More declarations: Brest+5 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Brieuc+1 | 0 | 1 | More plans: Saint-Brieuc+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Significant | Significant | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Brest | Saint-Brieuc | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Brest2.3 times as high | 49.5 | 21.9 | Larger: Brest2.3 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Brieuc+22 m | 54 m | 76 m | Higher: Saint-Brieuc+22 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Finistère (29) | Côtes-d'Armor (22) | |
| Intercommunality | Brest Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération Saint-Brieuc Armor Agglomération | |
| Urban unit | Brest | Saint-Brieuc | |
| Functional area | Brest | Saint-Brieuc |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Brest vs Saint-Brieuc at a glance
| Criterion | Brest | Saint-Brieuc |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 144,890 | 45,736 |
| Change over 10 years | +2.1% | −2.1% |
| Density per km² | 2,926 | 2,090 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,087 | 1,671 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,397 | 1,965 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.2 | 11.4 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 43.83% | 49.66% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,030 | 23,440 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 13.5% | 14.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.3 | 3.6 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.7 | 4.4 |
| Average temperature | 11.7°C | 11.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,555 | 1,616 |
| Area km² | 49.5 | 21.9 |
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FAQ
Brest vs Saint-Brieuc: your questions
Which is the larger city, Brest or Saint-Brieuc?
By population, Brest: 144,890 inhabitants versus 45,736 for Saint-Brieuc (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Brest is the 26th largest city in France, Saint-Brieuc the 161st. By area, Brest is also the larger (49.5 km²).
How far is Brest from Saint-Brieuc?
Brest and Saint-Brieuc are 128 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Brest or Saint-Brieuc?
To buy an apartment, Brest is more expensive: €2,087 per m² (median price), versus €1,671 in Saint-Brieuc (+25%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Brest or Saint-Brieuc?
In Brest, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,030 a year, versus €23,440 in Saint-Brieuc (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Brest or Saint-Brieuc?
Saint-Brieuc: 1,616 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,555 in Brest (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