2026 comparison
Brest vs Saint-Denis (93): 2026 comparison
Saint-Denis has more inhabitants than Brest: 149,936 versus 144,890, or 3.5% more. Brest covers a larger area (49.5 km² versus 15.8 km²), but Saint-Denis is more densely populated: 9,508 inhabitants per km² versus 2,926.
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Denis: €3,942 per m² versus €2,087. The median standard of living is higher in Brest (€24,030 a year versus €18,130).
The two cities are 507 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-Denis
City in Seine-Saint-Denis
FSeine-Saint-Denis93Île-de-France
- Population
- 149,936 inhab.
- 23rd in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 15.8 km²
- Density
- 9,508 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
BrestSaint-Denis
| Criterion | Brest | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Denis+3% | 144,890 | 149,936 | More populous: Saint-Denis+3% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+2.3 pts | +2.0% | +4.3% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+2.3 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+6.1 pts | +2.1% | +8.2% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+6.1 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Denis3.2 times as high | 2,926 | 9,508 | Denser: Saint-Denis3.2 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Denis+7.4 pts | 13.9% | 21.4% | More young people: Saint-Denis+7.4 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Brest+7.0 pts | 17.6% | 10.7% | More seniors: Brest+7.0 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Denis+0.69 | 1.78 | 2.47 | Larger households: Saint-Denis+0.69 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Brest | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Denis+89% | 2,087 | 3,942 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+89% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Denis+54% | 2,397 | 3,690 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+54% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Denis+72% | 12.2 | 21.0 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+72% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Denis+66% | 10.8 | 18.0 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+66% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Brest+20 pts | 42.6% | 22.8% | More homeowners: Brest+20 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Brest+14 pts | 24.7% | 10.9% | More houses: Brest+14 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Denis+26 pts | 28.3% | 53.9% | More social housing: Saint-Denis+26 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Brest+2.7 pts | 4.1% | 1.3% | More second homes: Brest+2.7 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Denis+0.7 pt | 6.5% | 7.2% | More vacant homes: Saint-Denis+0.7 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Brest+4.2 pts | 43.83% | 39.65% | Higher rate: Brest+4.2 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-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Brest+33% | 24,030 | 18,130 | Higher: Brest+33% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Denis+18 pts | 20.3% | 38.6% | Higher: Saint-Denis+18 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Brest+31% | €26,140 | €19,994 | Higher: Brest+31% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Brest+14 pts | 46% | 32% | More taxpaying households: Brest+14 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Brest+0.3 pt | 70.0% | 69.6% | Higher: Brest+0.3 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Denis+4.8 pts | 13.5% | 18.3% | Higher: Saint-Denis+4.8 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Brest | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Stéphane Roudaut | Bally Bagayoko | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | La France insoumise | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Brest+5.7 pts | 98% | 92% | Better covered: Brest+5.7 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Brest | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Brest+10% | 55.4803 in total | 50.3754 in total | More shops per capita: Brest+10% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+73% | 14.1205 in total | 24.5368 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+73% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+35% | 29.5427 in total | 39.9598 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+35% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Brest2.2 times as high | 24.4354 in total | 11.3170 in total | More per capita: Brest2.2 times as high |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Brest+19% | 1.623 in total | 1.320 in total | More per capita: Brest+19% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Brest+41% | 2.130 in total | 1.522 in total | More per capita: Brest+41% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Saint-Denis+3 | 1 | 4 | More stations: Saint-Denis+3 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Brest | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Brest+30% | 5.3 | 4.1 | Better access: Brest+30% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Brest3.0 times as high | 12.3178 in total | 4.162 in total | More per capita: Brest3.0 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Brest2.6 times as high | 26.2379 in total | 9.9149 in total | More per capita: Brest2.6 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Brest3.1 times as high | 7.5109 in total | 2.436 in total | More per capita: Brest3.1 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Brest+10% | 2.536 in total | 2.334 in total | More per capita: Brest+10% |
| 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-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Denis+27 | 59 | 86 | More schools: Saint-Denis+27 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Brest+2 | 21 | 19 | More middle schools: Brest+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Brest+8 | 22 | 14 | More high schools: Brest+8 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Brest+12 | 40 | 28 | More facilities: Brest+12 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Brest | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Brest+33% | 4.7 | 3.5 | Higher rate: Brest+33% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Denis2.0 times as high | 11.3 | 23.0 | Higher rate: Saint-Denis2.0 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Denis+19% | 4.6 | 5.5 | Higher rate: Saint-Denis+19% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Denis+29% | 2.2 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Denis+29% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Brest+11% | 11.6 | 10.5 | Higher rate: Brest+11% |
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-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Denis+0.4 °C | 11.7°C | 12.1°C | Warmer: Saint-Denis+0.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Saint-Denis+5% | 1,555 | 1,634 | Sunnier: Saint-Denis+5% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Brest+100% | 1,230 | 616 | Wetter: Brest+100% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Brest+49 days/year | 160 | 110 | More rainy days: Brest+49 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Denis+23 days/year | 14 | 37 | More frost days: Saint-Denis+23 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Denis+12 days/year | 1 | 13 | More hot days: Saint-Denis+12 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 | Brest | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Denis+4 | 17 | 21 | More declarations: Saint-Denis+4 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Denis+3 | 0 | 3 | More plans: Saint-Denis+3 |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Brest | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Brest3.1 times as high | 49.5 | 15.8 | Larger: Brest3.1 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Brest+22 m | 54 m | 31 m | Higher: Brest+22 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Finistère (29) | Seine-Saint-Denis (93) | |
| Intercommunality | Brest Métropole | Métropole du Grand Paris | |
| Urban unit | Brest | Paris | |
| Functional area | Brest | Paris |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Brest vs Saint-Denis (93) at a glance
| Criterion | Brest | Saint-Denis |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 144,890 | 149,936 |
| Change over 10 years | +2.1% | +8.2% |
| Density per km² | 2,926 | 9,508 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,087 | 3,942 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,397 | 3,690 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.2 | 21.0 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 43.83% | 39.65% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,030 | 18,130 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 13.5% | 18.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 92% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.3 | 4.1 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.7 | 3.5 |
| Average temperature | 11.7°C | 12.1°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,555 | 1,634 |
| Area km² | 49.5 | 15.8 |
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FAQ
Brest vs Saint-Denis (93): your questions
Which is the larger city, Brest or Saint-Denis?
By population, Saint-Denis: 149,936 inhabitants versus 144,890 for Brest (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Denis is the 23rd largest city in France, Brest the 26th. By area, Brest is the larger (49.5 km²).
How far is Brest from Saint-Denis?
Brest and Saint-Denis are 507 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Brest or Saint-Denis?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Denis is more expensive: €3,942 per m² (median price), versus €2,087 in Brest (+89%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Brest or Saint-Denis?
In Brest, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,030 a year, versus €18,130 in Saint-Denis (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Brest or Saint-Denis?
Saint-Denis: 1,634 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