2026 comparison
Dijon vs Saint-Étienne: 2026 comparison
Saint-Étienne has more inhabitants than Dijon: 174,698 versus 164,963, or 5.9% more. Saint-Étienne covers a larger area (80.0 km² versus 40.4 km²), but Dijon is more densely populated: 4,082 inhabitants per km² versus 2,185.
The median apartment price is higher in Dijon: €2,714 per m² versus €1,219. The median standard of living is higher in Dijon (€25,140 a year versus €20,880).
The two cities are 218 km apart as the crow flies.
Dijon
City in Côte-d'Or
FCôte-d'Or21Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
- Population
- 164,963 inhab.
- 16th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 40.4 km²
- Density
- 4,082 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
DijonSaint-Étienne
| Criterion | Dijon | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Étienne+6% | 164,963 | 174,698 | More populous: Saint-Étienne+6% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Dijon+3.1 pts | +3.2% | +0.0% | Stronger growth: Dijon+3.1 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Dijon+5.1 pts | +5.8% | +0.6% | Stronger growth: Dijon+5.1 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Dijon+87% | 4,082 | 2,185 | Denser: Dijon+87% |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Étienne+4.3 pts | 12.7% | 17.0% | More young people: Saint-Étienne+4.3 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Étienne+2.6 pts | 17.9% | 20.5% | More seniors: Saint-Étienne+2.6 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Étienne+0.22 | 1.73 | 1.95 | Larger households: Saint-Étienne+0.22 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Dijon | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Dijon2.2 times as high | 2,714 | 1,219 | More expensive: Dijon2.2 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Dijon+51% | 3,283 | 2,172 | More expensive: Dijon+51% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Dijon+35% | 13.3 | 9.9 | More expensive: Dijon+35% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Dijon+44% | 13.1 | 9.1 | More expensive: Dijon+44% |
| Homeowner householdsTie | 38.9% | 38.9% | Tie |
| Share of housesMore houses: Dijon+3.1 pts | 13.8% | 10.7% | More houses: Dijon+3.1 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Étienne+9.8 pts | 22.1% | 31.9% | More social housing: Saint-Étienne+9.8 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Dijon+1.7 pt | 4.1% | 2.4% | More second homes: Dijon+1.7 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+4.7 pts | 7.3% | 12.0% | More vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+4.7 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Dijon+3.8 pts | 52.05% | 48.28% | Higher rate: Dijon+3.8 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 | Dijon | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Dijon+20% | 25,140 | 20,880 | Higher: Dijon+20% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Étienne+11 pts | 19.2% | 30.4% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+11 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Dijon+27% | €29,796 | €23,469 | Higher: Dijon+27% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Dijon+14 pts | 50% | 37% | More taxpaying households: Dijon+14 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Dijon+2.8 pts | 71.1% | 68.3% | Higher: Dijon+2.8 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Étienne+6.1 pts | 12.9% | 19.0% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+6.1 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Dijon | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Nathalie Koenders | Régis Juanico | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | Socialist Party | 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 | Dijon | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Étienne+9% | 59.1975 in total | 64.31,123 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Étienne+9% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+18% | 18.5306 in total | 21.9383 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+18% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dijon+4% | 38.9641 in total | 37.4653 in total | More per capita: Dijon+4% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dijon+34% | 19.2317 in total | 14.3250 in total | More per capita: Dijon+34% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dijon+44% | 2.134 in total | 1.425 in total | More per capita: Dijon+44% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dijon2.3 times as high | 2.744 in total | 1.120 in total | More per capita: Dijon2.3 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Saint-Étienne+3 | 2 | 5 | More stations: Saint-Étienne+3 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Dijon | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Dijon+19% | 4.5 | 3.8 | Better access: Dijon+19% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dijon+21% | 11.2184 in total | 9.2161 in total | More per capita: Dijon+21% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dijon3.4 times as high | 52.9873 in total | 15.7275 in total | More per capita: Dijon3.4 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dijon2.0 times as high | 8.2136 in total | 4.172 in total | More per capita: Dijon2.0 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Dijon+8% | 3.151 in total | 2.950 in total | More per capita: Dijon+8% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Dijon+14 | 23 | 9 | More facilities: Dijon+14 |
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 | Dijon | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Étienne+2 | 88 | 90 | More schools: Saint-Étienne+2 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Étienne+1 | 23 | 24 | More middle schools: Saint-Étienne+1 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Étienne+10 | 14 | 24 | More high schools: Saint-Étienne+10 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Dijon+13 | 52 | 39 | More facilities: Dijon+13 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Dijon | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Étienne2.4 times as high | 4.2 | 9.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne2.4 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+9% | 14.0 | 15.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+9% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+2% | 4.2 | 4.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+2% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne2.7 times as high | 1.1 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne2.7 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+47% | 10.4 | 15.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+47% |
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 | Dijon | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Dijon+0.1 °C | 11.5°C | 11.4°C | Warmer: Dijon+0.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Saint-Étienne+7% | 1,890 | 2,018 | Sunnier: Saint-Étienne+7% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Étienne+3% | 772 | 794 | Wetter: Saint-Étienne+3% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Dijon+14 days/year | 119 | 105 | More rainy days: Dijon+14 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Dijon+6 days/year | 66 | 60 | More frost days: Dijon+6 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Dijon+2 days/year | 23 | 20 | More hot days: Dijon+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 | Dijon | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Étienne+10 | 11 | 21 | More declarations: Saint-Étienne+10 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Étienne+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Saint-Étienne+1 |
| Radon potential | Low | Significant |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Dijon | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Étienne+98% | 40.4 | 80.0 | Larger: Saint-Étienne+98% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Étienne+270 m | 245 m | 515 m | Higher: Saint-Étienne+270 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Côte-d'Or (21) | Loire (42) | |
| Intercommunality | Dijon Métropole | Saint-Etienne Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Dijon | Saint-Étienne | |
| Functional area | Dijon | Saint-Étienne |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Dijon vs Saint-Étienne at a glance
| Criterion | Dijon | Saint-Étienne |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 164,963 | 174,698 |
| Change over 10 years | +5.8% | +0.6% |
| Density per km² | 4,082 | 2,185 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,714 | 1,219 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,283 | 2,172 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.3 | 9.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 52.05% | 48.28% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,140 | 20,880 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 12.9% | 19.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.5 | 3.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.2 | 9.9 |
| Average temperature | 11.5°C | 11.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,890 | 2,018 |
| Area km² | 40.4 | 80.0 |
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FAQ
Dijon vs Saint-Étienne: your questions
Which is the larger city, Dijon or Saint-Étienne?
By population, Saint-Étienne: 174,698 inhabitants versus 164,963 for Dijon (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Étienne is the 14th largest city in France, Dijon the 16th. By area, Saint-Étienne is also the larger (80.0 km²).
How far is Dijon from Saint-Étienne?
Dijon and Saint-Étienne are 218 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Dijon or Saint-Étienne?
To buy an apartment, Dijon is more expensive: €2,714 per m² (median price), versus €1,219 in Saint-Étienne (+123%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Dijon or Saint-Étienne?
In Dijon, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,140 a year, versus €20,880 in Saint-Étienne (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Dijon or Saint-Étienne?
Saint-Étienne: 2,018 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,890 in Dijon (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