2026 comparison
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs Saint-Malo: 2026 comparison
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin has more inhabitants than Saint-Malo: 80,317 versus 48,675, or 65% more. Cherbourg-en-Cotentin covers a larger area (68.5 km² versus 36.6 km²), but Saint-Malo is more densely populated: 1,331 inhabitants per km² versus 1,172.
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Malo: €4,547 per m² versus €2,192. The median standard of living is higher in Saint-Malo (€27,160 a year versus €25,450).
The two cities are 112 km apart as the crow flies.
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
City in Manche
- Population
- 80,317 inhab.
- 63rd in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 68.5 km²
- Density
- 1,172 per km²
© Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Saint-Malo
City in Ille-et-Vilaine
- Population
- 48,675 inhab.
- 141st in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 36.6 km²
- Density
- 1,331 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Cherbourg-en-CotentinSaint-Malo
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+65% | 80,317 | 48,675 | More populous: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+65% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Malo+3.2 pts | −1.1% | +2.1% | Stronger growth: Saint-Malo+3.2 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Malo+9.0 pts | −3.4% | +5.6% | Stronger growth: Saint-Malo+9.0 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Malo+14% | 1,172 | 1,331 | Denser: Saint-Malo+14% |
| Under 15More young people: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+3.5 pts | 15.1% | 11.5% | More young people: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+3.5 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Malo+13 pts | 21.9% | 34.7% | More seniors: Saint-Malo+13 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.14 | 1.90 | 1.76 | Larger households: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.14 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Malo2.1 times as high | 2,192 | 4,547 | More expensive: Saint-Malo2.1 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Malo+98% | 2,296 | 4,539 | More expensive: Saint-Malo+98% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Malo+8% | 12.6 | 13.6 | More expensive: Saint-Malo+8% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Malo+19% | 10.5 | 12.5 | More expensive: Saint-Malo+19% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Malo+7.7 pts | 44.6% | 52.3% | More homeowners: Saint-Malo+7.7 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+13 pts | 50.2% | 37.1% | More houses: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+13 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+12 pts | 41.2% | 29.4% | More social housing: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+12 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Malo+24 pts | 3.6% | 27.1% | More second homes: Saint-Malo+24 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.6 pt | 5.9% | 5.3% | More vacant homes: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.6 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+3.5 pts | 52.57% | 49.08% | Higher rate: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+3.5 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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Saint-Malo+7% | 25,450 | 27,160 | Higher: Saint-Malo+7% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+1.8 pt | 14.9% | 13.1% | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+1.8 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Saint-Malo+19% | €29,269 | €34,759 | Higher: Saint-Malo+19% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Saint-Malo+1.5 pt | 49% | 51% | More taxpaying households: Saint-Malo+1.5 pt |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.9 pt | 75.5% | 74.7% | Higher: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.9 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Tie | 11.0% | 11.0% | Tie |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Camille Margueritte | Gilles Lurton | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Malo+1.1 pt | 95% | 96% | Better covered: Saint-Malo+1.1 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Malo+75% | 66.4533 in total | 116.3566 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Malo+75% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+67% | 19.3155 in total | 32.3157 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+67% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo2.7 times as high | 22.7182 in total | 61.0297 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo2.7 times as high |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+50% | 19.4156 in total | 12.963 in total | More per capita: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+50% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+28% | 2.218 in total | 2.914 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+28% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo5.4 times as high | 2.923 in total | 15.475 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo5.4 times as high |
| 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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Malo+65% | 3.4 | 5.7 | Better access: Saint-Malo+65% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo2.1 times as high | 8.064 in total | 17.183 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo2.1 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo4.6 times as high | 9.274 in total | 42.5207 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo4.6 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo2.5 times as high | 4.536 in total | 11.154 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo2.5 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+38% | 3.024 in total | 4.120 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+38% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5 | 11 | 6 | More facilities: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+5 |
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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+25 | 47 | 22 | More schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+25 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+7 | 13 | 6 | More middle schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+7 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+2 | 10 | 8 | More high schools: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+2 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8 | 13 | 5 | More facilities: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+8 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Malo2.4 times as high | 1.8 | 4.4 | Higher rate: Saint-Malo2.4 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Malo+81% | 6.3 | 11.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Malo+81% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Malo+68% | 2.8 | 4.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Malo+68% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Malo5.3 times as high | 0.6 | 3.4 | Higher rate: Saint-Malo5.3 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Malo+56% | 9.0 | 14.1 | Higher rate: Saint-Malo+56% |
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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.2 °C | 12.1°C | 11.9°C | Warmer: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+0.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,733 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+28% | 964 | 752 | Wetter: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+28% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+7 days/year | 135 | 128 | More rainy days: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+7 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Malo+17 days/year | 5 | 22 | More frost days: Saint-Malo+17 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Malo+2 days/year | 0 | 2 | More hot days: Saint-Malo+2 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 | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+1 | 13 | 12 | More declarations: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+1 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+87% | 68.5 | 36.6 | Larger: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin+87% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Malo+2 m | 6 m | 8 m | Higher: Saint-Malo+2 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| Department | Manche (50) | Ille-et-Vilaine (35) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération du Cotentin | Communauté d'agglomération du Pays de Saint Malo Agglomération | |
| Urban unit | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Malo | |
| Functional area | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Malo |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs Saint-Malo at a glance
| Criterion | Cherbourg-en-Cotentin | Saint-Malo |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 80,317 | 48,675 |
| Change over 10 years | −3.4% | +5.6% |
| Density per km² | 1,172 | 1,331 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,192 | 4,547 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,296 | 4,539 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.6 | 13.6 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 52.57% | 49.08% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,450 | 27,160 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.0% | 11.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.4 | 5.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 1.8 | 4.4 |
| Average temperature | 12.1°C | 11.9°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,733 |
| Area km² | 68.5 | 36.6 |
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FAQ
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin vs Saint-Malo: your questions
Which is the larger city, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or Saint-Malo?
By population, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin: 80,317 inhabitants versus 48,675 for Saint-Malo (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is the 63rd largest city in France, Saint-Malo the 141st. By area, Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is also the larger (68.5 km²).
How far is Cherbourg-en-Cotentin from Saint-Malo?
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and Saint-Malo are 112 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or Saint-Malo?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Malo is more expensive: €4,547 per m² (median price), versus €2,192 in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (+107%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin or Saint-Malo?
In Saint-Malo, half of the residents have a standard of living above €27,160 a year, versus €25,450 in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and Saint-Malo in the same department?
No: Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is in Manche (50), in the Normandy region, and Saint-Malo in Ille-et-Vilaine (35), in the Brittany region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures