2026 comparison
Clermont-Ferrand vs Saint-Étienne: 2026 comparison
Saint-Étienne has more inhabitants than Clermont-Ferrand: 174,698 versus 148,795, or 17% more. Saint-Étienne covers a larger area (80.0 km² versus 42.7 km²), but Clermont-Ferrand is more densely populated: 3,487 inhabitants per km² versus 2,185.
The median apartment price is higher in Clermont-Ferrand: €2,143 per m² versus €1,219. The median standard of living is higher in Clermont-Ferrand (€22,640 a year versus €20,880).
The two cities are 106 km apart as the crow flies.
Clermont-Ferrand
City in Puy-de-Dôme
FPuy-de-Dôme63Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- Population
- 148,795 inhab.
- 25th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 42.7 km²
- Density
- 3,487 per km²
Saint-Étienne
City in Loire
- Population
- 174,698 inhab.
- 14th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 80.0 km²
- Density
- 2,185 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Clermont-FerrandSaint-Étienne
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Étienne+17% | 148,795 | 174,698 | More populous: Saint-Étienne+17% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Étienne+0.3 pt | −0.3% | +0.0% | Stronger growth: Saint-Étienne+0.3 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Clermont-Ferrand+2.8 pts | +3.5% | +0.6% | Stronger growth: Clermont-Ferrand+2.8 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Clermont-Ferrand+60% | 3,487 | 2,185 | Denser: Clermont-Ferrand+60% |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Étienne+2.7 pts | 14.4% | 17.0% | More young people: Saint-Étienne+2.7 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Étienne+3.6 pts | 17.0% | 20.5% | More seniors: Saint-Étienne+3.6 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Étienne+0.19 | 1.76 | 1.95 | Larger households: Saint-Étienne+0.19 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+76% | 2,143 | 1,219 | More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+76% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+15% | 2,489 | 2,172 | More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+15% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+26% | 12.5 | 9.9 | More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+26% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+27% | 11.5 | 9.1 | More expensive: Clermont-Ferrand+27% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Étienne+7.3 pts | 31.6% | 38.9% | More homeowners: Saint-Étienne+7.3 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Clermont-Ferrand+5.6 pts | 16.3% | 10.7% | More houses: Clermont-Ferrand+5.6 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | — | 31.9% | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Clermont-Ferrand+3.3 pts | 5.6% | 2.4% | More second homes: Clermont-Ferrand+3.3 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+2.4 pts | 9.7% | 12.0% | More vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+2.4 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+1.6 pt | 49.88% | 48.28% | Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+1.6 pt |
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 | Clermont-Ferrand | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Clermont-Ferrand+8% | 22,640 | 20,880 | Higher: Clermont-Ferrand+8% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Étienne+3.4 pts | 27.0% | 30.4% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+3.4 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Clermont-Ferrand+11% | €25,966 | €23,469 | Higher: Clermont-Ferrand+11% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Clermont-Ferrand+6.8 pts | 44% | 37% | More taxpaying households: Clermont-Ferrand+6.8 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Clermont-Ferrand+0.1 pt | 68.5% | 68.3% | Higher: Clermont-Ferrand+0.1 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Étienne+3.6 pts | 15.4% | 19.0% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+3.6 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Julien Bony | Régis Juanico | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the right | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberTie | 97% | 97% | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+9% | 70.01,042 in total | 64.31,123 in total | More shops per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+9% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+15% | 19.1284 in total | 21.9383 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+15% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+35% | 50.5751 in total | 37.4653 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+35% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+24% | 17.7263 in total | 14.3250 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+24% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+22% | 1.726 in total | 1.425 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+22% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand2.6 times as high | 3.045 in total | 1.120 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand2.6 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Saint-Étienne+2 | 3 | 5 | More stations: Saint-Étienne+2 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Clermont-Ferrand+8% | 4.1 | 3.8 | Better access: Clermont-Ferrand+8% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+12% | 8.2122 in total | 9.2161 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+12% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+78% | 28.0416 in total | 15.7275 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+78% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand2.0 times as high | 8.4125 in total | 4.172 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand2.0 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+22% | 3.552 in total | 2.950 in total | More per capita: Clermont-Ferrand+22% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Clermont-Ferrand+7 | 16 | 9 | More facilities: Clermont-Ferrand+7 |
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 | Clermont-Ferrand | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Étienne+19 | 71 | 90 | More schools: Saint-Étienne+19 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Étienne+8 | 16 | 24 | More middle schools: Saint-Étienne+8 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Étienne+1 | 23 | 24 | More high schools: Saint-Étienne+1 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Clermont-Ferrand+4 | 43 | 39 | More facilities: Clermont-Ferrand+4 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Étienne+45% | 6.9 | 9.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+45% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+4% | 15.9 | 15.3 | Higher rate: Clermont-Ferrand+4% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Tie | 4.3 | 4.3 | Tie |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+71% | 1.6 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+71% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+21% | 12.6 | 15.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+21% |
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 | Clermont-Ferrand | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Clermont-Ferrand+0.7 °C | 12.1°C | 11.4°C | Warmer: Clermont-Ferrand+0.7 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Saint-Étienne+3% | 1,958 | 2,018 | Sunnier: Saint-Étienne+3% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Étienne+41% | 563 | 794 | Wetter: Saint-Étienne+41% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Étienne+18 days/year | 87 | 105 | More rainy days: Saint-Étienne+18 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Étienne+4 days/year | 56 | 60 | More frost days: Saint-Étienne+4 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Clermont-Ferrand+2 days/year | 22 | 20 | More hot days: Clermont-Ferrand+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 | Clermont-Ferrand | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Clermont-Ferrand+3 | 24 | 21 | More declarations: Clermont-Ferrand+3 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Étienne+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Saint-Étienne+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Significant | Significant | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Étienne+87% | 42.7 | 80.0 | Larger: Saint-Étienne+87% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Étienne+111 m | 404 m | 515 m | Higher: Saint-Étienne+111 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Puy-de-Dôme (63) | Loire (42) | |
| Intercommunality | Clermont Auvergne Métropole | Saint-Etienne Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Clermont-Ferrand | Saint-Étienne | |
| Functional area | Clermont-Ferrand | Saint-Étienne |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Clermont-Ferrand vs Saint-Étienne at a glance
| Criterion | Clermont-Ferrand | Saint-Étienne |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 148,795 | 174,698 |
| Change over 10 years | +3.5% | +0.6% |
| Density per km² | 3,487 | 2,185 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,143 | 1,219 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,489 | 2,172 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.5 | 9.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 49.88% | 48.28% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,640 | 20,880 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 15.4% | 19.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.1 | 3.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.9 | 9.9 |
| Average temperature | 12.1°C | 11.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,958 | 2,018 |
| Area km² | 42.7 | 80.0 |
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FAQ
Clermont-Ferrand vs Saint-Étienne: your questions
Which is the larger city, Clermont-Ferrand or Saint-Étienne?
By population, Saint-Étienne: 174,698 inhabitants versus 148,795 for Clermont-Ferrand (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Étienne is the 14th largest city in France, Clermont-Ferrand the 25th. By area, Saint-Étienne is also the larger (80.0 km²).
How far is Clermont-Ferrand from Saint-Étienne?
Clermont-Ferrand and Saint-Étienne are 106 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Clermont-Ferrand or Saint-Étienne?
To buy an apartment, Clermont-Ferrand is more expensive: €2,143 per m² (median price), versus €1,219 in Saint-Étienne (+76%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Clermont-Ferrand or Saint-Étienne?
In Clermont-Ferrand, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,640 a year, versus €20,880 in Saint-Étienne (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Clermont-Ferrand or Saint-Étienne?
Saint-Étienne: 2,018 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,958 in Clermont-Ferrand (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