2026 comparison
Le Havre vs Saint-Denis (974): 2026 comparison
Le Havre has more inhabitants than Saint-Denis: 168,588 versus 157,142, or 7.3% more. Saint-Denis covers a larger area (143 km² versus 47.0 km²), but Le Havre is more densely populated: 3,591 inhabitants per km² versus 1,101.
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Denis: €2,500 per m² versus €2,326. The median standard of living is higher in Le Havre (€22,480 a year versus €20,240).
The two cities are 9,539 km apart as the crow flies.
Le Havre
City in Seine-Maritime
- Population
- 168,588 inhab.
- 15th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 47.0 km²
- Density
- 3,591 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
Le HavreSaint-Denis
| Criterion | Le Havre | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Le Havre+7% | 168,588 | 157,142 | More populous: Le Havre+7% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+5.2 pts | −1.8% | +3.4% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+5.2 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+12 pts | −3.1% | +9.3% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+12 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Le Havre3.3 times as high | 3,591 | 1,101 | Denser: Le Havre3.3 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Denis+2.7 pts | 17.8% | 20.6% | More young people: Saint-Denis+2.7 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Le Havre+6.3 pts | 20.9% | 14.5% | More seniors: Le Havre+6.3 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Denis+0.25 | 1.98 | 2.23 | Larger households: Saint-Denis+0.25 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Le Havre | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Denis+7% | 2,326 | 2,500 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+7% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Denis+31% | 2,429 | 3,183 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+31% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Denis+22% | 12.4 | 15.1 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+22% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Denis+27% | 11.8 | 14.9 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+27% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Le Havre+7.3 pts | 38.8% | 31.5% | More homeowners: Le Havre+7.3 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Denis+8.2 pts | 25.8% | 34.0% | More houses: Saint-Denis+8.2 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Le Havre+1.4 pt | 40.3% | 38.9% | More social housing: Le Havre+1.4 pt |
| Second homesMore second homes: Le Havre+0.9 pt | 2.6% | 1.8% | More second homes: Le Havre+0.9 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Le Havre+2.1 pts | 10.9% | 8.8% | More vacant homes: Le Havre+2.1 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Le Havre+16 pts | 54.47% | 38.97% | Higher rate: Le Havre+16 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 | Le Havre | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Le Havre+11% | 22,480 | 20,240 | Higher: Le Havre+11% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Denis+11 pts | 24.2% | 35.0% | Higher: Saint-Denis+11 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Le Havre+3% | €25,768 | €24,973 | Higher: Le Havre+3% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Le Havre+13 pts | 42% | 29% | More taxpaying households: Le Havre+13 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Le Havre+1.0 pt | 70.9% | 69.9% | Higher: Le Havre+1.0 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Denis+6.8 pts | 18.5% | 25.4% | Higher: Saint-Denis+6.8 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Le Havre | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Edouard Philippe | Ericka Bareigts | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the centre | 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 | Le Havre | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Denis+15% | 56.5953 in total | 65.21,025 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Denis+15% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+5% | 20.2341 in total | 21.3334 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+5% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+32% | 35.8603 in total | 47.3744 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+32% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+16% | 16.1272 in total | 18.7294 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+16% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Havre+48% | 2.135 in total | 1.422 in total | More per capita: Le Havre+48% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Havre+94% | 1.525 in total | 0.812 in total | More per capita: Le Havre+94% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Le Havre+1 | 1 | 0 | More stations: Le Havre+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Le Havre | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Denis+31% | 3.7 | 4.8 | Better access: Saint-Denis+31% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+10% | 9.1153 in total | 10.0157 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+10% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Havre+29% | 17.9302 in total | 13.9219 in total | More per capita: Le Havre+29% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+25% | 5.592 in total | 6.8107 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+25% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+7% | 2.745 in total | 2.945 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+7% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Le Havre+4 | 14 | 10 | More facilities: Le Havre+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 | Le Havre | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Le Havre+15 | 100 | 85 | More schools: Le Havre+15 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Le Havre+4 | 24 | 20 | More middle schools: Le Havre+4 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Le Havre+6 | 20 | 14 | More high schools: Le Havre+6 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Le Havre+1 | 27 | 26 | More facilities: Le Havre+1 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Le Havre | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Le Havre2.7 times as high | 5.6 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Le Havre2.7 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Le Havre2.2 times as high | 10.2 | 4.7 | Higher rate: Le Havre2.2 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Le Havre+13% | 5.1 | 4.5 | Higher rate: Le Havre+13% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Le Havre+71% | 1.7 | 1.0 | Higher rate: Le Havre+71% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Le Havre+43% | 10.3 | 7.2 | Higher rate: Le Havre+43% |
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 | Le Havre | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Denis+12.7 °C | 11.8°C | 24.5°C | Warmer: Saint-Denis+12.7 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Saint-Denis+56% | 1,651 | 2,567 | Sunnier: Saint-Denis+56% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Denis+94% | 790 | 1,530 | Wetter: Saint-Denis+94% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Le Havre+11 days/year | 128 | 117 | More rainy days: Le Havre+11 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Le Havre+15 days/year | 15 | 0 | More frost days: Le Havre+15 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Denis+72 days/year | 3 | 75 | More hot days: Saint-Denis+72 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 | Le Havre | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Le Havre+4 | 25 | 21 | More declarations: Le Havre+4 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Le Havre+1 | 2 | 1 | More plans: Le Havre+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Le Havre | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Denis3.0 times as high | 47.0 | 143 | Larger: Saint-Denis3.0 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Denis+10 m | 5 m | 15 m | Higher: Saint-Denis+10 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Seine-Maritime (76) | Réunion (974) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté urbaine Le Havre Seine Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération Intercommunale du Nord de la Réunion (CINOR) | |
| Urban unit | Le Havre | Saint-Denis | |
| Functional area | Le Havre | Saint-Denis |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Le Havre vs Saint-Denis (974) at a glance
| Criterion | Le Havre | Saint-Denis |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 168,588 | 157,142 |
| Change over 10 years | −3.1% | +9.3% |
| Density per km² | 3,591 | 1,101 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,326 | 2,500 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,429 | 3,183 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.4 | 15.1 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 54.47% | 38.97% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,480 | 20,240 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 18.5% | 25.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.7 | 4.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 5.6 | 2.1 |
| Average temperature | 11.8°C | 24.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,651 | 2,567 |
| Area km² | 47.0 | 143 |
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FAQ
Le Havre vs Saint-Denis (974): your questions
Which is the larger city, Le Havre or Saint-Denis?
By population, Le Havre: 168,588 inhabitants versus 157,142 for Saint-Denis (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Le Havre is the 15th largest city in France, Saint-Denis the 20th. By area, Saint-Denis is the larger (143 km²).
How far is Le Havre from Saint-Denis?
Le Havre and Saint-Denis are 9,539 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Le Havre or Saint-Denis?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Denis is more expensive: €2,500 per m² (median price), versus €2,326 in Le Havre (+7%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Le Havre or Saint-Denis?
In Le Havre, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,480 a year, versus €20,240 in Saint-Denis (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Le Havre or Saint-Denis?
Saint-Denis: 2,567 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,651 in Le Havre (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