2026 comparison
Laval vs Saint-Malo: 2026 comparison
Laval has more inhabitants than Saint-Malo: 51,719 versus 48,675, or 6.3% more. Saint-Malo covers a larger area (36.6 km² versus 34.2 km²), but Laval is more densely populated: 1,511 inhabitants per km² versus 1,331.
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Malo: €4,547 per m² versus €2,000. The median standard of living is higher in Saint-Malo (€27,160 a year versus €24,120).
The two cities are 112 km apart as the crow flies.
Laval
City in Mayenne
- Population
- 51,719 inhab.
- 130th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 34.2 km²
- Density
- 1,511 per km²
© Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Saint-Malo
City in Ille-et-Vilaine
- Population
- 48,675 inhab.
- 141st in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 36.6 km²
- Density
- 1,331 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
LavalSaint-Malo
| Criterion | Laval | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Laval+6% | 51,719 | 48,675 | More populous: Laval+6% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Malo+2.4 pts | −0.3% | +2.1% | Stronger growth: Saint-Malo+2.4 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Malo+7.7 pts | −2.1% | +5.6% | Stronger growth: Saint-Malo+7.7 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Laval+14% | 1,511 | 1,331 | Denser: Laval+14% |
| Under 15More young people: Laval+4.3 pts | 15.8% | 11.5% | More young people: Laval+4.3 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Malo+12 pts | 22.7% | 34.7% | More seniors: Saint-Malo+12 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Laval+0.07 | 1.83 | 1.76 | Larger households: Laval+0.07 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Laval | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Malo2.3 times as high | 2,000 | 4,547 | More expensive: Saint-Malo2.3 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Malo2.1 times as high | 2,211 | 4,539 | More expensive: Saint-Malo2.1 times as high |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Malo+22% | 11.2 | 13.6 | More expensive: Saint-Malo+22% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Malo+34% | 9.3 | 12.5 | More expensive: Saint-Malo+34% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Malo+10 pts | 41.9% | 52.3% | More homeowners: Saint-Malo+10 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Laval+0.6 pt | 37.7% | 37.1% | More houses: Laval+0.6 pt |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Laval+3.1 pts | 32.4% | 29.4% | More social housing: Laval+3.1 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Malo+24 pts | 3.2% | 27.1% | More second homes: Saint-Malo+24 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Laval+4.0 pts | 9.3% | 5.3% | More vacant homes: Laval+4.0 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Malo+2.8 pts | 46.31% | 49.08% | Higher rate: Saint-Malo+2.8 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 | Laval | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Saint-Malo+13% | 24,120 | 27,160 | Higher: Saint-Malo+13% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Laval+7.2 pts | 20.3% | 13.1% | Higher: Laval+7.2 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Saint-Malo+21% | €28,639 | €34,759 | Higher: Saint-Malo+21% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Saint-Malo+6.1 pts | 45% | 51% | More taxpaying households: Saint-Malo+6.1 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Malo+1.1 pt | 73.6% | 74.7% | Higher: Saint-Malo+1.1 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Laval+1.3 pt | 12.4% | 11.0% | Higher: Laval+1.3 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Laval | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Florian Bercault | Gilles Lurton | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the left | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Laval+0.9 pt | 97% | 96% | Better covered: Laval+0.9 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Laval | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Malo+53% | 75.8392 in total | 116.3566 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Malo+53% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+49% | 21.7112 in total | 32.3157 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+49% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+98% | 30.7159 in total | 61.0297 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+98% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Laval+90% | 24.6127 in total | 12.963 in total | More per capita: Laval+90% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+6% | 2.714 in total | 2.914 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+6% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo6.6 times as high | 2.312 in total | 15.475 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo6.6 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Laval | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Malo+45% | 3.9 | 5.7 | Better access: Saint-Malo+45% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo2.4 times as high | 7.036 in total | 17.183 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo2.4 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo2.5 times as high | 17.289 in total | 42.5207 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo2.5 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+74% | 6.433 in total | 11.154 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+74% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+33% | 3.116 in total | 4.120 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+33% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Laval+3 | 9 | 6 | More facilities: Laval+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 | Laval | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Laval+14 | 36 | 22 | More schools: Laval+14 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Laval+6 | 12 | 6 | More middle schools: Laval+6 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Laval+6 | 14 | 8 | More high schools: Laval+6 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Laval+9 | 14 | 5 | More facilities: Laval+9 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Laval | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Laval+32% | 5.8 | 4.4 | Higher rate: Laval+32% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Malo+17% | 9.7 | 11.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Malo+17% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Malo+21% | 3.9 | 4.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Malo+21% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Malo2.6 times as high | 1.3 | 3.4 | Higher rate: Saint-Malo2.6 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Malo+36% | 10.4 | 14.1 | Higher rate: Saint-Malo+36% |
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 | Laval | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureTie | 11.9°C | 11.9°C | Tie |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,733 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Laval+0.7% | 757 | 752 | Wetter: Laval+0.7% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Malo+10 days/year | 118 | 128 | More rainy days: Saint-Malo+10 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Laval+12 days/year | 34 | 22 | More frost days: Laval+12 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Laval+7 days/year | 9 | 2 | More hot days: Laval+7 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 | Laval | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Laval+10 | 22 | 12 | More declarations: Laval+10 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Laval+1 | 2 | 1 | More plans: Laval+1 |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Laval | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Malo+7% | 34.2 | 36.6 | Larger: Saint-Malo+7% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Laval+47 m | 56 m | 8 m | Higher: Laval+47 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Intermediate urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | Same |
| Department | Mayenne (53) | Ille-et-Vilaine (35) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Laval Agglomération | Communauté d'agglomération du Pays de Saint Malo Agglomération | |
| Urban unit | Laval | Saint-Malo | |
| Functional area | Laval | Saint-Malo |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Laval vs Saint-Malo at a glance
| Criterion | Laval | Saint-Malo |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 51,719 | 48,675 |
| Change over 10 years | −2.1% | +5.6% |
| Density per km² | 1,511 | 1,331 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,000 | 4,547 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,211 | 4,539 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.2 | 13.6 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 46.31% | 49.08% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,120 | 27,160 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 12.4% | 11.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.9 | 5.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 5.8 | 4.4 |
| Average temperature | 11.9°C | 11.9°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 1,733 |
| Area km² | 34.2 | 36.6 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Laval vs Saint-Malo: your questions
Which is the larger city, Laval or Saint-Malo?
By population, Laval: 51,719 inhabitants versus 48,675 for Saint-Malo (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Laval is the 130th largest city in France, Saint-Malo the 141st. By area, Saint-Malo is the larger (36.6 km²).
How far is Laval from Saint-Malo?
Laval and Saint-Malo are 112 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Laval or Saint-Malo?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Malo is more expensive: €4,547 per m² (median price), versus €2,000 in Laval (+127%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Laval or Saint-Malo?
In Saint-Malo, half of the residents have a standard of living above €27,160 a year, versus €24,120 in Laval (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Laval and Saint-Malo in the same department?
No: Laval is in Mayenne (53), in the Pays de la Loire region, and Saint-Malo in Ille-et-Vilaine (35), in the Brittany region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures