2026 comparison
Chambéry vs Saint-Martin-d'Hères: 2026 comparison
Chambéry has more inhabitants than Saint-Martin-d'Hères: 61,493 versus 37,921, or 62% more. Chambéry covers a larger area (21.0 km² versus 9.3 km²), but Saint-Martin-d'Hères is more densely populated: 4,095 inhabitants per km² versus 2,930.
The median apartment price is higher in Chambéry: €2,966 per m² versus €2,286. The median standard of living is higher in Chambéry (€24,800 a year versus €23,430).
The two cities are 46 km apart as the crow flies.
© Florian Pépellin, CC BY-SA 3.0
Chambéry
City in Savoie
- Population
- 61,493 inhab.
- 96th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 21.0 km²
- Density
- 2,930 per km²
Saint-Martin-d'Hères
City in Isère
- Population
- 37,921 inhab.
- 211th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 9.3 km²
- Density
- 4,095 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
ChambérySaint-Martin-d'Hères
| Criterion | Chambéry | Saint-Martin-d'Hères | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Chambéry+62% | 61,493 | 37,921 | More populous: Chambéry+62% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Chambéry+3.8 pts | +1.9% | −1.8% | Stronger growth: Chambéry+3.8 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Chambéry+3.1 pts | +2.2% | −0.9% | Stronger growth: Chambéry+3.1 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+40% | 2,930 | 4,095 | Denser: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+40% |
| Under 15More young people: Chambéry+1.7 pt | 16.8% | 15.1% | More young people: Chambéry+1.7 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Chambéry+6.1 pts | 19.5% | 13.4% | More seniors: Chambéry+6.1 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+0.04 | 1.97 | 2.01 | Larger households: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+0.04 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Chambéry | Saint-Martin-d'Hères | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Chambéry+30% | 2,966 | 2,286 | More expensive: Chambéry+30% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Chambéry+16% | 3,957 | 3,397 | More expensive: Chambéry+16% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Chambéry+19% | 16.1 | 13.5 | More expensive: Chambéry+19% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+13% | 12.8 | 14.4 | More expensive: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+13% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+2.4 pts | 39.7% | 42.1% | More homeowners: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+2.4 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Chambéry+2.3 pts | 13.4% | 11.1% | More houses: Chambéry+2.3 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+10 pts | 32.8% | 42.8% | More social housing: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+10 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Chambéry+2.3 pts | 3.6% | 1.3% | More second homes: Chambéry+2.3 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Chambéry+2.5 pts | 9.0% | 6.5% | More vacant homes: Chambéry+2.5 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+12 pts | 46.48% | 58.15% | Higher rate: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+12 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 | Chambéry | Saint-Martin-d'Hères | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Chambéry+6% | 24,800 | 23,430 | Higher: Chambéry+6% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+1.8 pt | 20.4% | 22.2% | Higher: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+1.8 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Chambéry+15% | €28,884 | €25,099 | Higher: Chambéry+15% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Chambéry+3.5 pts | 47% | 43% | More taxpaying households: Chambéry+3.5 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Chambéry+9.5 pts | 73.6% | 64.1% | Higher: Chambéry+9.5 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+1.2 pt | 11.8% | 13.1% | Higher: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+1.2 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Chambéry | Saint-Martin-d'Hères | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Thierry Repentin | David Queiros | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | union of the left | union of the left | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+2.7 pts | 96% | 99% | Better covered: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+2.7 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Chambéry | Saint-Martin-d'Hères | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Chambéry+47% | 84.4519 in total | 57.5218 in total | More shops per capita: Chambéry+47% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chambéry+74% | 23.4144 in total | 13.451 in total | More per capita: Chambéry+74% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chambéry+76% | 48.8300 in total | 27.7105 in total | More per capita: Chambéry+76% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chambéry+9% | 20.2124 in total | 18.570 in total | More per capita: Chambéry+9% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chambéry+11% | 2.918 in total | 2.610 in total | More per capita: Chambéry+11% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chambéry+2.9 | 2.918 in total | 0.00 in total | More per capita: Chambéry+2.9 |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Chambéry+1 | 1 | 0 | More stations: Chambéry+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Chambéry | Saint-Martin-d'Hères | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Chambéry+25% | 5.1 | 4.0 | Better access: Chambéry+25% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chambéry+53% | 16.199 in total | 10.540 in total | More per capita: Chambéry+53% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Martin-d'Hères2.1 times as high | 15.998 in total | 33.8128 in total | More per capita: Saint-Martin-d'Hères2.1 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chambéry3.1 times as high | 9.156 in total | 2.911 in total | More per capita: Chambéry3.1 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Chambéry+12% | 3.320 in total | 2.911 in total | More per capita: Chambéry+12% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+4 | 5 | 9 | More facilities: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+4 |
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 | Chambéry | Saint-Martin-d'Hères | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Chambéry+19 | 39 | 20 | More schools: Chambéry+19 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Chambéry+2 | 6 | 4 | More middle schools: Chambéry+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Chambéry+5 | 7 | 2 | More high schools: Chambéry+5 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+25 | 8 | 33 | More facilities: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+25 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Chambéry | Saint-Martin-d'Hères | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+46% | 7.2 | 10.5 | Higher rate: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+46% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+11% | 14.9 | 16.5 | Higher rate: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+11% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Chambéry+47% | 5.0 | 3.4 | Higher rate: Chambéry+47% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+86% | 1.6 | 3.0 | Higher rate: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+86% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Chambéry+24% | 12.4 | 10.0 | Higher rate: Chambéry+24% |
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 | Chambéry | Saint-Martin-d'Hères | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+0.8 °C | 11.8°C | 12.6°C | Warmer: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+0.8 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,895 | — | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Chambéry+17% | 1,148 | 981 | Wetter: Chambéry+17% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Chambéry+11 days/year | 119 | 108 | More rainy days: Chambéry+11 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Chambéry+13 days/year | 80 | 67 | More frost days: Chambéry+13 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+5 days/year | 30 | 35 | More hot days: Saint-Martin-d'Hères+5 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 | Chambéry | Saint-Martin-d'Hères | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Chambéry+6 | 12 | 6 | More declarations: Chambéry+6 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 2 | 2 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Low, with aggravating factors | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Chambéry | Saint-Martin-d'Hères | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Chambéry2.3 times as high | 21.0 | 9.26 | Larger: Chambéry2.3 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Chambéry+58 m | 271 m | 213 m | Higher: Chambéry+58 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Savoie (73) | Isère (38) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération du Grand Chambéry | Grenoble-Alpes-Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Chambéry | Grenoble | |
| Functional area | Chambéry | Grenoble |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Chambéry vs Saint-Martin-d'Hères at a glance
| Criterion | Chambéry | Saint-Martin-d'Hères |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 61,493 | 37,921 |
| Change over 10 years | +2.2% | −0.9% |
| Density per km² | 2,930 | 4,095 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,966 | 2,286 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,957 | 3,397 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 16.1 | 13.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 46.48% | 58.15% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,800 | 23,430 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.8% | 13.1% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 99% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.1 | 4.0 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 7.2 | 10.5 |
| Average temperature | 11.8°C | 12.6°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,895 | — |
| Area km² | 21.0 | 9.26 |
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FAQ
Chambéry vs Saint-Martin-d'Hères: your questions
Which is the larger city, Chambéry or Saint-Martin-d'Hères?
By population, Chambéry: 61,493 inhabitants versus 37,921 for Saint-Martin-d'Hères (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Chambéry is the 96th largest city in France, Saint-Martin-d'Hères the 211th. By area, Chambéry is also the larger (21.0 km²).
How far is Chambéry from Saint-Martin-d'Hères?
Chambéry and Saint-Martin-d'Hères are 46 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Chambéry or Saint-Martin-d'Hères?
To buy an apartment, Chambéry is more expensive: €2,966 per m² (median price), versus €2,286 in Saint-Martin-d'Hères (+30%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Chambéry or Saint-Martin-d'Hères?
In Chambéry, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,800 a year, versus €23,430 in Saint-Martin-d'Hères (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Chambéry and Saint-Martin-d'Hères in the same department?
No: Chambéry is in Savoie (73), and Saint-Martin-d'Hères in Isère (38), both in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures