2026 comparison
Grenoble vs Saint-Étienne: 2026 comparison
Saint-Étienne has more inhabitants than Grenoble: 174,698 versus 158,303, or 10% more. Saint-Étienne covers a larger area (80.0 km² versus 18.1 km²), but Grenoble is more densely populated: 8,732 inhabitants per km² versus 2,185.
The median apartment price is higher in Grenoble: €2,595 per m² versus €1,219. The median standard of living is higher in Grenoble (€24,270 a year versus €20,880).
The two cities are 109 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-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
GrenobleSaint-Étienne
| Criterion | Grenoble | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Étienne+10% | 158,303 | 174,698 | More populous: Saint-Étienne+10% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Étienne+1.0 pt | −1.0% | +0.0% | Stronger growth: Saint-Étienne+1.0 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Étienne+3.2 pts | −2.5% | +0.6% | Stronger growth: Saint-Étienne+3.2 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Grenoble4.0 times as high | 8,732 | 2,185 | Denser: Grenoble4.0 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Étienne+2.6 pts | 14.4% | 17.0% | More young people: Saint-Étienne+2.6 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Étienne+5.3 pts | 15.3% | 20.5% | More seniors: Saint-Étienne+5.3 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Étienne+0.13 | 1.82 | 1.95 | Larger households: Saint-Étienne+0.13 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Grenoble | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Grenoble2.1 times as high | 2,595 | 1,219 | More expensive: Grenoble2.1 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Grenoble+61% | 3,497 | 2,172 | More expensive: Grenoble+61% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Grenoble+36% | 13.4 | 9.9 | More expensive: Grenoble+36% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Grenoble+39% | 12.6 | 9.1 | More expensive: Grenoble+39% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Étienne+2.8 pts | 36.1% | 38.9% | More homeowners: Saint-Étienne+2.8 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Étienne+7.9 pts | 2.8% | 10.7% | More houses: Saint-Étienne+7.9 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Étienne+7.0 pts | 24.9% | 31.9% | More social housing: Saint-Étienne+7.0 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Grenoble+1.9 pt | 4.2% | 2.4% | More second homes: Grenoble+1.9 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Grenoble+1.5 pt | 13.5% | 12.0% | More vacant homes: Grenoble+1.5 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Grenoble+20 pts | 68.00% | 48.28% | Higher rate: Grenoble+20 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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Grenoble+16% | 24,270 | 20,880 | Higher: Grenoble+16% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Étienne+6.8 pts | 23.6% | 30.4% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+6.8 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Grenoble+18% | €27,758 | €23,469 | Higher: Grenoble+18% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Grenoble+11 pts | 48% | 37% | More taxpaying households: Grenoble+11 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Grenoble+3.0 pts | 71.3% | 68.3% | Higher: Grenoble+3.0 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Étienne+5.8 pts | 13.2% | 19.0% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+5.8 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Grenoble | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Laurence Ruffin | Régis Juanico | |
| 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-Étienne+0.5 pt | 96% | 97% | Better covered: Saint-Étienne+0.5 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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Grenoble+20% | 76.91,218 in total | 64.31,123 in total | More shops per capita: Grenoble+20% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+27% | 27.9442 in total | 21.9383 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+27% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+73% | 64.61,023 in total | 37.4653 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+73% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+3% | 14.0221 in total | 14.3250 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+3% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+59% | 2.336 in total | 1.425 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+59% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+60% | 1.829 in total | 1.120 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+60% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Saint-Étienne+4 | 1 | 5 | More stations: Saint-Étienne+4 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Grenoble | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Grenoble+4% | 4.0 | 3.8 | Better access: Grenoble+4% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+8% | 9.9157 in total | 9.2161 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+8% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble2.0 times as high | 31.7502 in total | 15.7275 in total | More per capita: Grenoble2.0 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble2.1 times as high | 8.5134 in total | 4.172 in total | More per capita: Grenoble2.1 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Grenoble+30% | 3.759 in total | 2.950 in total | More per capita: Grenoble+30% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Étienne+2 | 7 | 9 | More facilities: Saint-Étienne+2 |
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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Étienne+28 | 62 | 90 | More schools: Saint-Étienne+28 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Étienne+6 | 18 | 24 | More middle schools: Saint-Étienne+6 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Étienne+6 | 18 | 24 | More high schools: Saint-Étienne+6 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-Étienne+7 | 32 | 39 | More facilities: Saint-Étienne+7 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Grenoble | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Étienne+43% | 7.0 | 9.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+43% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble+75% | 26.8 | 15.3 | Higher rate: Grenoble+75% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble+40% | 6.1 | 4.3 | Higher rate: Grenoble+40% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble+25% | 3.5 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Grenoble+25% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Grenoble+19% | 18.0 | 15.2 | Higher rate: Grenoble+19% |
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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Grenoble+1.2 °C | 12.6°C | 11.4°C | Warmer: Grenoble+1.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,018 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Grenoble+24% | 981 | 794 | Wetter: Grenoble+24% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Grenoble+3 days/year | 108 | 105 | More rainy days: Grenoble+3 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Grenoble+8 days/year | 67 | 60 | More frost days: Grenoble+8 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Grenoble+15 days/year | 35 | 20 | More hot days: Grenoble+15 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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Étienne+16 | 5 | 21 | More declarations: Saint-Étienne+16 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 2 | 2 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Low | Significant |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Grenoble | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Étienne4.4 times as high | 18.1 | 80.0 | Larger: Saint-Étienne4.4 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Étienne+302 m | 213 m | 515 m | Higher: Saint-Étienne+302 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Isère (38) | Loire (42) | |
| Intercommunality | Grenoble-Alpes-Métropole | Saint-Etienne Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Grenoble | Saint-Étienne | |
| Functional area | Grenoble | Saint-Étienne |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Grenoble vs Saint-Étienne at a glance
| Criterion | Grenoble | Saint-Étienne |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 158,303 | 174,698 |
| Change over 10 years | −2.5% | +0.6% |
| Density per km² | 8,732 | 2,185 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,595 | 1,219 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,497 | 2,172 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.4 | 9.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 68.00% | 48.28% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,270 | 20,880 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 13.2% | 19.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.0 | 3.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 7.0 | 9.9 |
| Average temperature | 12.6°C | 11.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,018 |
| Area km² | 18.1 | 80.0 |
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FAQ
Grenoble vs Saint-Étienne: your questions
Which is the larger city, Grenoble or Saint-Étienne?
By population, Saint-Étienne: 174,698 inhabitants versus 158,303 for Grenoble (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Étienne is the 14th largest city in France, Grenoble the 19th. By area, Saint-Étienne is also the larger (80.0 km²).
How far is Grenoble from Saint-Étienne?
Grenoble and Saint-Étienne are 109 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Grenoble or Saint-Étienne?
To buy an apartment, Grenoble is more expensive: €2,595 per m² (median price), versus €1,219 in Saint-Étienne (+113%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Grenoble or Saint-Étienne?
In Grenoble, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,270 a year, versus €20,880 in Saint-Étienne (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Grenoble and Saint-Étienne in the same department?
No: Grenoble is in Isère (38), and Saint-Étienne in Loire (42), both in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures