2026 comparison
Couëron vs Saint-Nazaire (44): 2026 comparison
Saint-Nazaire has more inhabitants than Couëron: 76,243 versus 24,367, or 3.1 times as many. Saint-Nazaire is both larger (46.8 km² versus 44.0 km²) and more densely populated (1,629 inhabitants per km² versus 553).
The median apartment price is higher in Couëron: €3,075 per m² versus €2,917. The median standard of living is higher in Couëron (€27,510 a year versus €24,750).
The two cities are 37 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Couëron
City in Loire-Atlantique
FLoire-Atlantique44Pays de la Loire
- Population
- 24,367 inhab.
- 377th in France · 8th in its department
- Area
- 44.0 km²
- Density
- 553 per km²
Saint-Nazaire
City in Loire-Atlantique
FLoire-Atlantique44Pays de la Loire
- Population
- 76,243 inhab.
- 69th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 46.8 km²
- Density
- 1,629 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
CouëronSaint-Nazaire
| Criterion | Couëron | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Nazaire3.1 times as high | 24,367 | 76,243 | More populous: Saint-Nazaire3.1 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Couëron+4.7 pts | +10.3% | +5.6% | Stronger growth: Couëron+4.7 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Couëron+11 pts | +20.0% | +8.8% | Stronger growth: Couëron+11 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Nazaire2.9 times as high | 553 | 1,629 | Denser: Saint-Nazaire2.9 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Couëron+4.2 pts | 20.1% | 15.9% | More young people: Couëron+4.2 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Nazaire+9.2 pts | 15.5% | 24.6% | More seniors: Saint-Nazaire+9.2 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Couëron+0.42 | 2.32 | 1.90 | Larger households: Couëron+0.42 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Couëron | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Couëron+5% | 3,075 | 2,917 | More expensive: Couëron+5% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Couëron+8% | 3,206 | 2,955 | More expensive: Couëron+8% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Couëron+2% | 13.0 | 12.8 | More expensive: Couëron+2% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Nazaire+3% | 12.0 | 12.4 | More expensive: Saint-Nazaire+3% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Couëron+17 pts | 65.2% | 47.8% | More homeowners: Couëron+17 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Couëron+32 pts | 69.9% | 37.9% | More houses: Couëron+32 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Nazaire+7.5 pts | 21.4% | 28.9% | More social housing: Saint-Nazaire+7.5 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Nazaire+5.6 pts | 0.9% | 6.5% | More second homes: Saint-Nazaire+5.6 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Nazaire+3.0 pts | 4.2% | 7.1% | More vacant homes: Saint-Nazaire+3.0 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Couëron+8.2 pts | 47.26% | 39.08% | Higher rate: Couëron+8.2 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 | Couëron | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Couëron+11% | 27,510 | 24,750 | Higher: Couëron+11% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Nazaire+8.4 pts | 9.6% | 18.0% | Higher: Saint-Nazaire+8.4 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Couëron+23% | €34,567 | €28,112 | Higher: Couëron+23% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Couëron+7.7 pts | 55% | 47% | More taxpaying households: Couëron+7.7 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Couëron+5.7 pts | 80.1% | 74.4% | Higher: Couëron+5.7 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Nazaire+5.1 pts | 7.9% | 13.0% | Higher: Saint-Nazaire+5.1 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Couëron | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Axel Casenave | David Samzun | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Couëron+2.5 pts | 99% | 96% | Better covered: Couëron+2.5 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Couëron | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Nazaire2.3 times as high | 21.853 in total | 50.0381 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Nazaire2.3 times as high |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+80% | 8.621 in total | 15.5118 in total | More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+80% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+91% | 15.237 in total | 29.0221 in total | More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+91% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Couëron+3% | 17.242 in total | 16.7127 in total | More per capita: Couëron+3% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+60% | 1.23 in total | 2.015 in total | More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+60% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Nazaire3.5 times as high | 0.41 in total | 1.411 in total | More per capita: Saint-Nazaire3.5 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Saint-Nazaire+2 | 1 | 3 | More stations: Saint-Nazaire+2 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Couëron | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Nazaire+18% | 3.1 | 3.7 | Better access: Saint-Nazaire+18% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Nazaire2.0 times as high | 5.714 in total | 11.789 in total | More per capita: Saint-Nazaire2.0 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Nazaire28 times as high | 0.82 in total | 23.2177 in total | More per capita: Saint-Nazaire28 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+15% | 4.110 in total | 4.736 in total | More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+15% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+92% | 1.64 in total | 3.124 in total | More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+92% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Nazaire+13 | 0 | 13 | More facilities: Saint-Nazaire+13 |
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 | Couëron | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Nazaire+20 | 13 | 33 | More schools: Saint-Nazaire+20 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Nazaire+8 | 2 | 10 | More middle schools: Saint-Nazaire+8 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Nazaire+11 | 1 | 12 | More high schools: Saint-Nazaire+11 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-Nazaire+12 | 0 | 12 | More facilities: Saint-Nazaire+12 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Couëron | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Nazaire+64% | 4.2 | 6.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire+64% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire5.6 times as high | 2.9 | 16.0 | Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire5.6 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire2.1 times as high | 1.8 | 3.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire2.1 times as high |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire+47% | 1.4 | 2.0 | Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire+47% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire2.6 times as high | 5.2 | 13.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire2.6 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 | Couëron | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Couëron+0.1 °C | 12.7°C | 12.6°C | Warmer: Couëron+0.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Saint-Nazaire+1% | 1,873 | 1,893 | Sunnier: Saint-Nazaire+1% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Couëron+3% | 820 | 792 | Wetter: Couëron+3% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Couëron+4 days/year | 120 | 116 | More rainy days: Couëron+4 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Couëron+2 days/year | 29 | 27 | More frost days: Couëron+2 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Couëron+3 days/year | 12 | 9 | More hot days: Couëron+3 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 | Couëron | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Nazaire+3 | 7 | 10 | More declarations: Saint-Nazaire+3 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Couëron | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Nazaire+6% | 44.0 | 46.8 | Larger: Saint-Nazaire+6% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Couëron+6 m | 18 m | 12 m | Higher: Couëron+6 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Small town | Intermediate urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Loire-Atlantique (44) | Loire-Atlantique (44) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Nantes Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération de la Région Nazairienne et de l'Estuaire (CARENE) | |
| Urban unit | Nantes | Saint-Nazaire | |
| Functional area | Nantes | Saint-Nazaire |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Couëron vs Saint-Nazaire (44) at a glance
| Criterion | Couëron | Saint-Nazaire |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 24,367 | 76,243 |
| Change over 10 years | +20.0% | +8.8% |
| Density per km² | 553 | 1,629 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,075 | 2,917 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,206 | 2,955 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.0 | 12.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 47.26% | 39.08% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 27,510 | 24,750 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 7.9% | 13.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 99% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.1 | 3.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.2 | 6.9 |
| Average temperature | 12.7°C | 12.6°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,873 | 1,893 |
| Area km² | 44.0 | 46.8 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Couëron vs Saint-Nazaire (44): your questions
Which is the larger city, Couëron or Saint-Nazaire?
By population, Saint-Nazaire: 76,243 inhabitants versus 24,367 for Couëron (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Nazaire is the 69th largest city in France, Couëron the 377th. By area, Saint-Nazaire is also the larger (46.8 km²).
How far is Couëron from Saint-Nazaire?
Couëron and Saint-Nazaire are 37 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Loire-Atlantique).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Couëron or Saint-Nazaire?
To buy an apartment, Couëron is more expensive: €3,075 per m² (median price), versus €2,917 in Saint-Nazaire (+5%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Couëron or Saint-Nazaire?
In Couëron, half of the residents have a standard of living above €27,510 a year, versus €24,750 in Saint-Nazaire (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Couëron or Saint-Nazaire?
Saint-Nazaire: 1,893 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,873 in Couëron (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