2026 comparison
Compiègne vs Saint-Quentin: 2026 comparison
Saint-Quentin has more inhabitants than Compiègne: 53,963 versus 41,774, or 29% more. Compiègne covers a larger area (53.1 km² versus 22.6 km²), but Saint-Quentin is more densely populated: 2,392 inhabitants per km² versus 787.
The median apartment price is higher in Compiègne: €2,388 per m² versus €1,140. The median standard of living is higher in Compiègne (€23,310 a year versus €20,470).
The two cities are 58 km apart as the crow flies.
Compiègne
City in Oise
- Population
- 41,774 inhab.
- 188th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 53.1 km²
- Density
- 787 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
CompiègneSaint-Quentin
| Criterion | Compiègne | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Quentin+29% | 41,774 | 53,963 | More populous: Saint-Quentin+29% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Compiègne+2.5 pts | +0.5% | −1.9% | Stronger growth: Compiègne+2.5 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Compiègne+6.0 pts | +0.8% | −5.2% | Stronger growth: Compiègne+6.0 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Quentin3.0 times as high | 787 | 2,392 | Denser: Saint-Quentin3.0 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Compiègne+0.2 pt | 17.2% | 17.0% | More young people: Compiègne+0.2 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Quentin+3.7 pts | 19.1% | 22.8% | More seniors: Saint-Quentin+3.7 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Compiègne+0.02 | 1.99 | 1.97 | Larger households: Compiègne+0.02 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Compiègne | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Compiègne2.1 times as high | 2,388 | 1,140 | More expensive: Compiègne2.1 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Compiègne2.7 times as high | 3,000 | 1,098 | More expensive: Compiègne2.7 times as high |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Compiègne+33% | 14.7 | 11.0 | More expensive: Compiègne+33% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Compiègne+59% | 13.4 | 8.5 | More expensive: Compiègne+59% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Quentin+5.7 pts | 34.4% | 40.0% | More homeowners: Saint-Quentin+5.7 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Quentin+27 pts | 21.7% | 48.9% | More houses: Saint-Quentin+27 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Compiègne+10 pts | 42.0% | 31.9% | More social housing: Compiègne+10 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Compiègne+0.6 pt | 2.2% | 1.6% | More second homes: Compiègne+0.6 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Quentin+4.2 pts | 9.1% | 13.4% | More vacant homes: Saint-Quentin+4.2 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+21 pts | 49.47% | 70.40% | Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+21 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 | Compiègne | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Compiègne+14% | 23,310 | 20,470 | Higher: Compiègne+14% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Quentin+5.7 pts | 24.4% | 30.1% | Higher: Saint-Quentin+5.7 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Compiègne+37% | €31,569 | €23,042 | Higher: Compiègne+37% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Compiègne+9.0 pts | 43% | 34% | More taxpaying households: Compiègne+9.0 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Quentin+0.7 pt | 68.5% | 69.1% | Higher: Saint-Quentin+0.7 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Quentin+6.9 pts | 15.7% | 22.6% | Higher: Saint-Quentin+6.9 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Compiègne | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Philippe Marini | Frédérique Macarez | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Compiègne+1.7 pt | 99% | 98% | Better covered: Compiègne+1.7 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Compiègne | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Compiègne+25% | 77.8325 in total | 62.3336 in total | More shops per capita: Compiègne+25% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Compiègne+29% | 22.795 in total | 17.695 in total | More per capita: Compiègne+29% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Compiègne+13% | 38.1159 in total | 33.5181 in total | More per capita: Compiègne+13% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Quentin+25% | 14.460 in total | 18.097 in total | More per capita: Saint-Quentin+25% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Compiègne+72% | 2.912 in total | 1.79 in total | More per capita: Compiègne+72% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Compiègne+55% | 2.912 in total | 1.910 in total | More per capita: Compiègne+55% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Saint-Quentin+1 | 0 | 1 | More stations: Saint-Quentin+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Compiègne | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Quentin+42% | 3.6 | 5.1 | Better access: Saint-Quentin+42% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Quentin+1% | 14.159 in total | 14.377 in total | More per capita: Saint-Quentin+1% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Compiègne+52% | 30.4127 in total | 20.0108 in total | More per capita: Compiègne+52% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 9.138 in total | 9.149 in total | Tie |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Quentin+55% | 2.611 in total | 4.122 in total | More per capita: Saint-Quentin+55% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Compiègne+1 | 7 | 6 | More facilities: Compiègne+1 |
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 | Compiègne | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Compiègne+5 | 30 | 25 | More schools: Compiègne+5 |
| Middle schoolsTie | 9 | 9 | Tie |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Compiègne+1 | 11 | 10 | More high schools: Compiègne+1 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-Quentin+3 | 5 | 8 | More facilities: Saint-Quentin+3 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Compiègne | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Quentin+52% | 2.4 | 3.7 | Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+52% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+44% | 10.0 | 14.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+44% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+95% | 3.2 | 6.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+95% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+77% | 1.5 | 2.7 | Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+77% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Quentin2.2 times as high | 10.0 | 22.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Quentin2.2 times as high |
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 | Compiègne | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Compiègne+0.4 °C | 11.2°C | 10.8°C | Warmer: Compiègne+0.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,696 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Quentin+8% | 634 | 683 | Wetter: Saint-Quentin+8% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Quentin+7 days/year | 113 | 120 | More rainy days: Saint-Quentin+7 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Quentin+4 days/year | 44 | 49 | More frost days: Saint-Quentin+4 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Compiègne+2 days/year | 9 | 7 | More hot days: Compiègne+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 | Compiègne | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Compiègne+1 | 12 | 11 | More declarations: Compiègne+1 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Quentin+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Saint-Quentin+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Compiègne | Saint-Quentin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Compiègne2.4 times as high | 53.1 | 22.6 | Larger: Compiègne2.4 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Quentin+58 m | 42 m | 100 m | Higher: Saint-Quentin+58 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| Department | Oise (60) | Aisne (02) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération de la Région de Compiègne et de la Basse Automne | Communauté d'agglomération du Saint-Quentinois | |
| Urban unit | Compiègne | Saint-Quentin | |
| Functional area | Compiègne | Saint-Quentin |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Compiègne vs Saint-Quentin at a glance
| Criterion | Compiègne | Saint-Quentin |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 41,774 | 53,963 |
| Change over 10 years | +0.8% | −5.2% |
| Density per km² | 787 | 2,392 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,388 | 1,140 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,000 | 1,098 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 14.7 | 11.0 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 49.47% | 70.40% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 23,310 | 20,470 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 15.7% | 22.6% |
| Premises with fiber | 99% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.6 | 5.1 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 2.4 | 3.7 |
| Average temperature | 11.2°C | 10.8°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,696 |
| Area km² | 53.1 | 22.6 |
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FAQ
Compiègne vs Saint-Quentin: your questions
Which is the larger city, Compiègne or Saint-Quentin?
By population, Saint-Quentin: 53,963 inhabitants versus 41,774 for Compiègne (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Quentin is the 119th largest city in France, Compiègne the 188th. By area, Compiègne is the larger (53.1 km²).
How far is Compiègne from Saint-Quentin?
Compiègne and Saint-Quentin are 58 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Compiègne or Saint-Quentin?
To buy an apartment, Compiègne is more expensive: €2,388 per m² (median price), versus €1,140 in Saint-Quentin (+109%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Compiègne or Saint-Quentin?
In Compiègne, half of the residents have a standard of living above €23,310 a year, versus €20,470 in Saint-Quentin (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Compiègne and Saint-Quentin in the same department?
No: Compiègne is in Oise (60), 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