2026 comparison
Cambrai vs Saint-Quentin: 2026 comparison
Saint-Quentin has more inhabitants than Cambrai: 53,963 versus 31,738, or 70% more. Saint-Quentin is both larger (22.6 km² versus 18.2 km²) and more densely populated (2,392 inhabitants per km² versus 1,746).
The median apartment price is higher in Cambrai: €1,650 per m² versus €1,140. The median standard of living is higher in Cambrai (€21,930 a year versus €20,470).
The two cities are 36 km apart as the crow flies.
Cambrai
City in Nord
- Population
- 31,738 inhab.
- 267th in France · 10th in its department
- Area
- 18.2 km²
- Density
- 1,746 per km²
Saint-Quentin
City in Aisne
- Population
- 53,963 inhab.
- 119th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 22.6 km²
- Density
- 2,392 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
CambraiSaint-Quentin
| Criterion | Cambrai | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Quentin+70% | 31,738 | 53,963 | More populous: Saint-Quentin+70% |
| Change over 5 yearsSmaller decline: Saint-Quentin+2.3 pts | −4.2% | −1.9% | Smaller decline: Saint-Quentin+2.3 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsTie | −5.2% | −5.2% | Tie |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Quentin+37% | 1,746 | 2,392 | Denser: Saint-Quentin+37% |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Quentin+2.2 pts | 14.9% | 17.0% | More young people: Saint-Quentin+2.2 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Cambrai+1.6 pt | 24.4% | 22.8% | More seniors: Cambrai+1.6 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Quentin+0.10 | 1.87 | 1.97 | Larger households: Saint-Quentin+0.10 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Cambrai | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Cambrai+45% | 1,650 | 1,140 | More expensive: Cambrai+45% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Cambrai+24% | 1,364 | 1,098 | More expensive: Cambrai+24% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedTie | 11.0 | 11.0 | Tie |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Cambrai+1% | 8.6 | 8.5 | More expensive: Cambrai+1% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Cambrai+3.6 pts | 43.6% | 40.0% | More homeowners: Cambrai+3.6 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Cambrai+4.1 pts | 52.9% | 48.9% | More houses: Cambrai+4.1 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | — | 31.9% | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Cambrai+0.2 pt | 1.8% | 1.6% | More second homes: Cambrai+0.2 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Quentin+3.1 pts | 10.3% | 13.4% | More vacant homes: Saint-Quentin+3.1 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+30 pts | 40.33% | 70.40% | Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+30 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 | Cambrai | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Cambrai+7% | 21,930 | 20,470 | Higher: Cambrai+7% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Quentin+5.9 pts | 24.2% | 30.1% | Higher: Saint-Quentin+5.9 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Cambrai+5% | €24,195 | €23,042 | Higher: Cambrai+5% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Cambrai+1.8 pt | 36% | 34% | More taxpaying households: Cambrai+1.8 pt |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Cambrai+3.2 pts | 72.3% | 69.1% | Higher: Cambrai+3.2 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Quentin+1.8 pt | 20.8% | 22.6% | Higher: Saint-Quentin+1.8 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Cambrai | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Emeric François | Frédérique Macarez | |
| 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 | Cambrai | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Cambrai+63% | 101.5322 in total | 62.3336 in total | More shops per capita: Cambrai+63% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cambrai+34% | 23.675 in total | 17.695 in total | More per capita: Cambrai+34% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cambrai+28% | 42.9136 in total | 33.5181 in total | More per capita: Cambrai+28% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Quentin+39% | 12.941 in total | 18.097 in total | More per capita: Saint-Quentin+39% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cambrai+32% | 2.27 in total | 1.79 in total | More per capita: Cambrai+32% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 1.96 in total | 1.910 in total | Tie |
| 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 | Cambrai | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Quentin+73% | 2.9 | 5.1 | Better access: Saint-Quentin+73% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Quentin+8% | 13.242 in total | 14.377 in total | More per capita: Saint-Quentin+8% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cambrai2.6 times as high | 52.6167 in total | 20.0108 in total | More per capita: Cambrai2.6 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cambrai+42% | 12.941 in total | 9.149 in total | More per capita: Cambrai+42% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cambrai+16% | 4.715 in total | 4.122 in total | More per capita: Cambrai+16% |
| HospitalsTie | 6 | 6 | Tie |
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 | Cambrai | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Quentin+1 | 24 | 25 | More schools: Saint-Quentin+1 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Quentin+3 | 6 | 9 | More middle schools: Saint-Quentin+3 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Quentin+3 | 7 | 10 | More high schools: Saint-Quentin+3 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Cambrai+3 | 11 | 8 | More facilities: Cambrai+3 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Cambrai | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Cambrai+11% | 4.1 | 3.7 | Higher rate: Cambrai+11% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+50% | 9.6 | 14.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+50% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Cambrai+3% | 6.4 | 6.2 | Higher rate: Cambrai+3% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+92% | 1.4 | 2.7 | Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+92% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+58% | 14.0 | 22.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+58% |
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 | Cambrai | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Cambrai+0.1 °C | 10.9°C | 10.8°C | Warmer: Cambrai+0.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,696 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Cambrai+3% | 703 | 683 | Wetter: Cambrai+3% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Cambrai+3 days/year | 123 | 120 | More rainy days: Cambrai+3 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Quentin+5 days/year | 44 | 49 | More frost days: Saint-Quentin+5 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreTie | 7 | 7 | Tie |
Climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each commune. Source: Météo-France, climate normals
Natural hazards
Natural disasters and prevention
| Criterion | Cambrai | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Quentin+1 | 10 | 11 | More declarations: Saint-Quentin+1 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Quentin+2 | 0 | 2 | More plans: Saint-Quentin+2 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Cambrai | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Quentin+24% | 18.2 | 22.6 | Larger: Saint-Quentin+24% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Quentin+39 m | 61 m | 100 m | Higher: Saint-Quentin+39 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| Department | Nord (59) | Aisne (02) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération de Cambrai | Communauté d'agglomération du Saint-Quentinois | |
| Urban unit | Cambrai | Saint-Quentin | |
| Functional area | Cambrai | Saint-Quentin |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Cambrai vs Saint-Quentin at a glance
| Criterion | Cambrai | Saint-Quentin |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 31,738 | 53,963 |
| Change over 10 years | −5.2% | −5.2% |
| Density per km² | 1,746 | 2,392 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,650 | 1,140 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,364 | 1,098 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.0 | 11.0 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 40.33% | 70.40% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 21,930 | 20,470 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 20.8% | 22.6% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 2.9 | 5.1 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.1 | 3.7 |
| Average temperature | 10.9°C | 10.8°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,696 |
| Area km² | 18.2 | 22.6 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Cambrai vs Saint-Quentin: your questions
Which is the larger city, Cambrai or Saint-Quentin?
By population, Saint-Quentin: 53,963 inhabitants versus 31,738 for Cambrai (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Quentin is the 119th largest city in France, Cambrai the 267th. By area, Saint-Quentin is also the larger (22.6 km²).
How far is Cambrai from Saint-Quentin?
Cambrai and Saint-Quentin are 36 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Cambrai or Saint-Quentin?
To buy an apartment, Cambrai is more expensive: €1,650 per m² (median price), versus €1,140 in Saint-Quentin (+45%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Cambrai or Saint-Quentin?
In Cambrai, half of the residents have a standard of living above €21,930 a year, versus €20,470 in Saint-Quentin (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Cambrai and Saint-Quentin in the same department?
No: Cambrai is in Nord (59), and Saint-Quentin in Aisne (02), both in the Hauts-de-France region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures