2026 comparison
Houilles vs Saint-Germain-en-Laye: 2026 comparison
Saint-Germain-en-Laye has more inhabitants than Houilles: 47,628 versus 34,268, or 39% more. Saint-Germain-en-Laye covers a larger area (51.9 km² versus 4.4 km²), but Houilles is more densely populated: 7,735 inhabitants per km² versus 917.
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Germain-en-Laye: €6,547 per m² versus €4,762. The median standard of living is higher in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (€37,970 a year versus €34,450).
The two cities are 6.0 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department and the same urban unit (Paris).
Houilles
City in Yvelines
- Population
- 34,268 inhab.
- 243rd in France · 9th in its department
- Area
- 4.4 km²
- Density
- 7,735 per km²
Saint-Germain-en-Laye
City in Yvelines
- Population
- 47,628 inhab.
- 145th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 51.9 km²
- Density
- 917 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
HouillesSaint-Germain-en-Laye
| Criterion | Houilles | Saint-Germain-en-Laye | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+39% | 34,268 | 47,628 | More populous: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+39% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Houilles+2.1 pts | +4.7% | +2.6% | Stronger growth: Houilles+2.1 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+0.1 pt | +5.3% | +5.4% | Stronger growth: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+0.1 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Houilles8.4 times as high | 7,735 | 917 | Denser: Houilles8.4 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Houilles+0.1 pt | 19.2% | 19.1% | More young people: Houilles+0.1 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+3.3 pts | 14.9% | 18.2% | More seniors: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+3.3 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Houilles+0.14 | 2.32 | 2.18 | Larger households: Houilles+0.14 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Houilles | Saint-Germain-en-Laye | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+37% | 4,762 | 6,547 | More expensive: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+37% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+27% | 5,680 | 7,193 | More expensive: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+27% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+11% | 21.2 | 23.5 | More expensive: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+11% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+37% | 19.0 | 26.0 | More expensive: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+37% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Houilles+13 pts | 62.3% | 49.1% | More homeowners: Houilles+13 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Houilles+22 pts | 42.1% | 19.8% | More houses: Houilles+22 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+7.3 pts | 17.9% | 25.2% | More social housing: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+7.3 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+2.6 pts | 1.6% | 4.2% | More second homes: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+2.6 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Houilles+1.1 pt | 5.4% | 4.3% | More vacant homes: Houilles+1.1 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Houilles+7.0 pts | 31.90% | 24.95% | Higher rate: Houilles+7.0 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 | Houilles | Saint-Germain-en-Laye | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+10% | 34,450 | 37,970 | Higher: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+10% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+0.3 pt | 9.2% | 9.5% | Higher: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+0.3 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+51% | €45,978 | €69,214 | Higher: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+51% |
| Households paying income taxTie | 66% | 66% | Tie |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Houilles+4.2 pts | 81.0% | 76.8% | Higher: Houilles+4.2 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+1.4 pt | 8.1% | 9.5% | Higher: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+1.4 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Houilles | Saint-Germain-en-Laye | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Romain Bertrand | Arnaud Pericard | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous centre | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Houilles+2.4 pts | 97% | 95% | Better covered: Houilles+2.4 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Houilles | Saint-Germain-en-Laye | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+87% | 42.3145 in total | 78.9376 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+87% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+20% | 19.366 in total | 23.1110 in total | More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+20% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+51% | 21.072 in total | 31.7151 in total | More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+51% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+87% | 7.927 in total | 14.770 in total | More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+87% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye3.1 times as high | 0.93 in total | 2.713 in total | More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye3.1 times as high |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+1.5 | 0.00 in total | 1.57 in total | More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+1.5 |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+1 | 1 | 2 | More stations: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Houilles | Saint-Germain-en-Laye | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Germain-en-Laye2.1 times as high | 1.1 | 2.4 | Better access: Saint-Germain-en-Laye2.1 times as high |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye2.1 times as high | 3.813 in total | 8.038 in total | More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye2.1 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye5.6 times as high | 4.114 in total | 22.9109 in total | More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye5.6 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+57% | 6.422 in total | 10.148 in total | More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+57% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+35% | 2.38 in total | 3.115 in total | More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+35% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+4 | 0 | 4 | More facilities: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+4 |
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 | Houilles | Saint-Germain-en-Laye | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+8 | 16 | 24 | More schools: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+8 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+8 | 3 | 11 | More middle schools: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+8 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+15 | 0 | 15 | More high schools: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+15 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+7 | 0 | 7 | More facilities: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+7 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Houilles | Saint-Germain-en-Laye | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+3% | 6.0 | 6.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+3% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+12% | 10.3 | 11.6 | Higher rate: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+12% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+66% | 1.8 | 3.0 | Higher rate: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+66% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Houilles2.1 times as high | 2.2 | 1.1 | Higher rate: Houilles2.1 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+3% | 6.1 | 6.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+3% |
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 | Houilles | Saint-Germain-en-Laye | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Houilles+0.2 °C | 12.5°C | 12.3°C | Warmer: Houilles+0.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Houilles+0.2% | 1,717 | 1,714 | Sunnier: Houilles+0.2% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Houilles+12% | 639 | 571 | Wetter: Houilles+12% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Houilles+7 days/year | 113 | 106 | More rainy days: Houilles+7 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+7 days/year | 36 | 43 | More frost days: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+7 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Houilles+4 days/year | 20 | 16 | More hot days: Houilles+4 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 | Houilles | Saint-Germain-en-Laye | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+15 | 10 | 25 | More declarations: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+15 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Houilles | Saint-Germain-en-Laye | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Germain-en-Laye12 times as high | 4.43 | 51.9 | Larger: Saint-Germain-en-Laye12 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+57 m | 31 m | 88 m | Higher: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+57 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Yvelines (78) | Yvelines (78) | Same |
| IntercommunalitySame | Communauté d'agglomération Saint Germain Boucles de Seine | Communauté d'agglomération Saint Germain Boucles de Seine | Same |
| Urban unitSame | Paris | Paris | Same |
| Functional areaSame | Paris | Paris | Same |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Houilles vs Saint-Germain-en-Laye at a glance
| Criterion | Houilles | Saint-Germain-en-Laye |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 34,268 | 47,628 |
| Change over 10 years | +5.3% | +5.4% |
| Density per km² | 7,735 | 917 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,762 | 6,547 |
| Median house price €/m² | 5,680 | 7,193 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 21.2 | 23.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 31.90% | 24.95% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 34,450 | 37,970 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 8.1% | 9.5% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 1.1 | 2.4 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.0 | 6.2 |
| Average temperature | 12.5°C | 12.3°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,717 | 1,714 |
| Area km² | 4.43 | 51.9 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Houilles vs Saint-Germain-en-Laye: your questions
Which is the larger city, Houilles or Saint-Germain-en-Laye?
By population, Saint-Germain-en-Laye: 47,628 inhabitants versus 34,268 for Houilles (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Germain-en-Laye is the 145th largest city in France, Houilles the 243rd. By area, Saint-Germain-en-Laye is also the larger (51.9 km²).
How far is Houilles from Saint-Germain-en-Laye?
Houilles and Saint-Germain-en-Laye are 6.0 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Yvelines).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Houilles or Saint-Germain-en-Laye?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Germain-en-Laye is more expensive: €6,547 per m² (median price), versus €4,762 in Houilles (+37%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Houilles or Saint-Germain-en-Laye?
In Saint-Germain-en-Laye, half of the residents have a standard of living above €37,970 a year, versus €34,450 in Houilles (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Houilles or Saint-Germain-en-Laye?
Houilles: 1,717 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,714 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (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