2026 comparison
Grenoble vs Saint-Denis (974): 2026 comparison
Grenoble has more inhabitants than Saint-Denis: 158,303 versus 157,142, or 0.7% more. Saint-Denis covers a larger area (143 km² versus 18.1 km²), but Grenoble is more densely populated: 8,732 inhabitants per km² versus 1,101.
The median apartment price is higher in Grenoble: €2,595 per m² versus €2,500. The median standard of living is higher in Grenoble (€24,270 a year versus €20,240).
The two cities are 8,907 km apart as the crow flies.
Grenoble
City in Isère
- Population
- 158,303 inhab.
- 19th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 18.1 km²
- Density
- 8,732 per km²
Saint-Denis
City in Réunion
- Population
- 157,142 inhab.
- 20th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 143 km²
- Density
- 1,101 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1954
GrenobleSaint-Denis
| Criterion | Grenoble | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Grenoble+0.7% | 158,303 | 157,142 | More populous: Grenoble+0.7% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+4.3 pts | −1.0% | +3.4% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+4.3 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+12 pts | −2.5% | +9.3% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+12 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Grenoble7.9 times as high | 8,732 | 1,101 | Denser: Grenoble7.9 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Denis+6.1 pts | 14.4% | 20.6% | More young people: Saint-Denis+6.1 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Grenoble+0.7 pt | 15.3% | 14.5% | More seniors: Grenoble+0.7 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Denis+0.41 | 1.82 | 2.23 | Larger households: Saint-Denis+0.41 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Grenoble | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Grenoble+4% | 2,595 | 2,500 | More expensive: Grenoble+4% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Grenoble+10% | 3,497 | 3,183 | More expensive: Grenoble+10% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Denis+13% | 13.4 | 15.1 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+13% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Denis+18% | 12.6 | 14.9 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+18% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Grenoble+4.6 pts | 36.1% | 31.5% | More homeowners: Grenoble+4.6 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Denis+31 pts | 2.8% | 34.0% | More houses: Saint-Denis+31 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Denis+14 pts | 24.9% | 38.9% | More social housing: Saint-Denis+14 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Grenoble+2.5 pts | 4.2% | 1.8% | More second homes: Grenoble+2.5 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Grenoble+4.8 pts | 13.5% | 8.8% | More vacant homes: Grenoble+4.8 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Grenoble+29 pts | 68.00% | 38.97% | Higher rate: Grenoble+29 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 | Grenoble | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Grenoble+20% | 24,270 | 20,240 | Higher: Grenoble+20% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Denis+11 pts | 23.6% | 35.0% | Higher: Saint-Denis+11 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Grenoble+11% | €27,758 | €24,973 | Higher: Grenoble+11% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Grenoble+19 pts | 48% | 29% | More taxpaying households: Grenoble+19 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Grenoble+1.4 pt | 71.3% | 69.9% | Higher: Grenoble+1.4 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Denis+12 pts | 13.2% | 25.4% | Higher: Saint-Denis+12 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Grenoble | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Laurence Ruffin | Ericka Bareigts | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | union of the left | union of the left | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Denis+1.0 pt | 96% | 97% | Better covered: Saint-Denis+1.0 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Grenoble | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Grenoble+18% | 76.91,218 in total | 65.21,025 in total | More shops per capita: Grenoble+18% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+31% | 27.9442 in total | 21.3334 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+31% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+36% | 64.61,023 in total | 47.3744 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+36% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+34% | 14.0221 in total | 18.7294 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+34% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+62% | 2.336 in total | 1.422 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+62% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble2.4 times as high | 1.829 in total | 0.812 in total | More per capita: Grenoble2.4 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Grenoble+1 | 1 | 0 | More stations: Grenoble+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Grenoble | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Denis+22% | 4.0 | 4.8 | Better access: Saint-Denis+22% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+0.7% | 9.9157 in total | 10.0157 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+0.7% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble2.3 times as high | 31.7502 in total | 13.9219 in total | More per capita: Grenoble2.3 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+24% | 8.5134 in total | 6.8107 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+24% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+30% | 3.759 in total | 2.945 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+30% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Denis+3 | 7 | 10 | More facilities: Saint-Denis+3 |
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 | Grenoble | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Denis+23 | 62 | 85 | More schools: Saint-Denis+23 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Denis+2 | 18 | 20 | More middle schools: Saint-Denis+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Grenoble+4 | 18 | 14 | More high schools: Grenoble+4 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Grenoble+6 | 32 | 26 | More facilities: Grenoble+6 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Grenoble | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Grenoble3.3 times as high | 7.0 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Grenoble3.3 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble5.7 times as high | 26.8 | 4.7 | Higher rate: Grenoble5.7 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble+35% | 6.1 | 4.5 | Higher rate: Grenoble+35% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble3.5 times as high | 3.5 | 1.0 | Higher rate: Grenoble3.5 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble2.5 times as high | 18.0 | 7.2 | Higher rate: Grenoble2.5 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 | Grenoble | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Denis+11.9 °C | 12.6°C | 24.5°C | Warmer: Saint-Denis+11.9 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,567 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Denis+56% | 981 | 1,530 | Wetter: Saint-Denis+56% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Denis+9 days/year | 108 | 117 | More rainy days: Saint-Denis+9 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Grenoble+67 days/year | 67 | 0 | More frost days: Grenoble+67 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Denis+39 days/year | 35 | 75 | More hot days: Saint-Denis+39 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 | Grenoble | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Denis+16 | 5 | 21 | More declarations: Saint-Denis+16 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Grenoble+1 | 2 | 1 | More plans: Grenoble+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Grenoble | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Denis7.9 times as high | 18.1 | 143 | Larger: Saint-Denis7.9 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Grenoble+197 m | 213 m | 15 m | Higher: Grenoble+197 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Isère (38) | Réunion (974) | |
| Intercommunality | Grenoble-Alpes-Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération Intercommunale du Nord de la Réunion (CINOR) | |
| Urban unit | Grenoble | Saint-Denis | |
| Functional area | Grenoble | Saint-Denis |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Grenoble vs Saint-Denis (974) at a glance
| Criterion | Grenoble | Saint-Denis |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 158,303 | 157,142 |
| Change over 10 years | −2.5% | +9.3% |
| Density per km² | 8,732 | 1,101 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,595 | 2,500 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,497 | 3,183 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.4 | 15.1 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 68.00% | 38.97% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,270 | 20,240 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 13.2% | 25.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.0 | 4.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 7.0 | 2.1 |
| Average temperature | 12.6°C | 24.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,567 |
| Area km² | 18.1 | 143 |
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FAQ
Grenoble vs Saint-Denis (974): your questions
Which is the larger city, Grenoble or Saint-Denis?
By population, Grenoble: 158,303 inhabitants versus 157,142 for Saint-Denis (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Grenoble is the 19th largest city in France, Saint-Denis the 20th. By area, Saint-Denis is the larger (143 km²).
How far is Grenoble from Saint-Denis?
Grenoble and Saint-Denis are 8,907 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Grenoble or Saint-Denis?
To buy an apartment, Grenoble is more expensive: €2,595 per m² (median price), versus €2,500 in Saint-Denis (+4%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Grenoble or Saint-Denis?
In Grenoble, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,270 a year, versus €20,240 in Saint-Denis (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Grenoble and Saint-Denis in the same department?
No: Grenoble is in Isère (38), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, and Saint-Denis in Réunion (974), in the Réunion region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures