2026 comparison
Le Havre vs Saint-Étienne: 2026 comparison
Saint-Étienne has more inhabitants than Le Havre: 174,698 versus 168,588, or 3.6% more. Saint-Étienne covers a larger area (80.0 km² versus 47.0 km²), but Le Havre is more densely populated: 3,591 inhabitants per km² versus 2,185.
The median apartment price is higher in Le Havre: €2,326 per m² versus €1,219. The median standard of living is higher in Le Havre (€22,480 a year versus €20,880).
The two cities are 553 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-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
Le HavreSaint-Étienne
| Criterion | Le Havre | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Étienne+4% | 168,588 | 174,698 | More populous: Saint-Étienne+4% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Étienne+1.8 pt | −1.8% | +0.0% | Stronger growth: Saint-Étienne+1.8 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Étienne+3.8 pts | −3.1% | +0.6% | Stronger growth: Saint-Étienne+3.8 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Le Havre+64% | 3,591 | 2,185 | Denser: Le Havre+64% |
| Under 15More young people: Le Havre+0.8 pt | 17.8% | 17.0% | More young people: Le Havre+0.8 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Le Havre+0.3 pt | 20.9% | 20.5% | More seniors: Le Havre+0.3 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Le Havre+0.03 | 1.98 | 1.95 | Larger households: Le Havre+0.03 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Le Havre | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Le Havre+91% | 2,326 | 1,219 | More expensive: Le Havre+91% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Le Havre+12% | 2,429 | 2,172 | More expensive: Le Havre+12% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Le Havre+25% | 12.4 | 9.9 | More expensive: Le Havre+25% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Le Havre+30% | 11.8 | 9.1 | More expensive: Le Havre+30% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Étienne+0.0 pt | 38.8% | 38.9% | More homeowners: Saint-Étienne+0.0 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Le Havre+15 pts | 25.8% | 10.7% | More houses: Le Havre+15 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Le Havre+8.4 pts | 40.3% | 31.9% | More social housing: Le Havre+8.4 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Le Havre+0.3 pt | 2.6% | 2.4% | More second homes: Le Havre+0.3 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+1.2 pt | 10.9% | 12.0% | More vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+1.2 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Le Havre+6.2 pts | 54.47% | 48.28% | Higher rate: Le Havre+6.2 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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Le Havre+8% | 22,480 | 20,880 | Higher: Le Havre+8% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Étienne+6.2 pts | 24.2% | 30.4% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+6.2 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Le Havre+10% | €25,768 | €23,469 | Higher: Le Havre+10% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Le Havre+5.2 pts | 42% | 37% | More taxpaying households: Le Havre+5.2 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Le Havre+2.5 pts | 70.9% | 68.3% | Higher: Le Havre+2.5 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Étienne+0.5 pt | 18.5% | 19.0% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+0.5 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Le Havre | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Edouard Philippe | Régis Juanico | |
| 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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Étienne+14% | 56.5953 in total | 64.31,123 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Étienne+14% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+8% | 20.2341 in total | 21.9383 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+8% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+5% | 35.8603 in total | 37.4653 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+5% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Havre+13% | 16.1272 in total | 14.3250 in total | More per capita: Le Havre+13% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Havre+45% | 2.135 in total | 1.425 in total | More per capita: Le Havre+45% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Havre+30% | 1.525 in total | 1.120 in total | More per capita: Le Havre+30% |
| 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 | Le Havre | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Étienne+3% | 3.7 | 3.8 | Better access: Saint-Étienne+3% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+2% | 9.1153 in total | 9.2161 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+2% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Havre+14% | 17.9302 in total | 15.7275 in total | More per capita: Le Havre+14% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Havre+32% | 5.592 in total | 4.172 in total | More per capita: Le Havre+32% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+7% | 2.745 in total | 2.950 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+7% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Le Havre+5 | 14 | 9 | More facilities: Le Havre+5 |
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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Le Havre+10 | 100 | 90 | More schools: Le Havre+10 |
| Middle schoolsTie | 24 | 24 | Tie |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Étienne+4 | 20 | 24 | More high schools: Saint-Étienne+4 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-Étienne+12 | 27 | 39 | More facilities: Saint-Étienne+12 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Le Havre | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Étienne+77% | 5.6 | 9.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+77% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+50% | 10.2 | 15.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+50% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Le Havre+18% | 5.1 | 4.3 | Higher rate: Le Havre+18% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+62% | 1.7 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+62% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+47% | 10.3 | 15.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+47% |
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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Le Havre+0.4 °C | 11.8°C | 11.4°C | Warmer: Le Havre+0.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Saint-Étienne+22% | 1,651 | 2,018 | Sunnier: Saint-Étienne+22% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Étienne+0.5% | 790 | 794 | Wetter: Saint-Étienne+0.5% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Le Havre+23 days/year | 128 | 105 | More rainy days: Le Havre+23 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Étienne+45 days/year | 15 | 60 | More frost days: Saint-Étienne+45 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Étienne+18 days/year | 3 | 20 | More hot days: Saint-Étienne+18 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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Le Havre+4 | 25 | 21 | More declarations: Le Havre+4 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 2 | 2 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Low | Significant |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Le Havre | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Étienne+70% | 47.0 | 80.0 | Larger: Saint-Étienne+70% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Étienne+510 m | 5 m | 515 m | Higher: Saint-Étienne+510 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Seine-Maritime (76) | Loire (42) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté urbaine Le Havre Seine Métropole | Saint-Etienne Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Le Havre | Saint-Étienne | |
| Functional area | Le Havre | Saint-Étienne |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Le Havre vs Saint-Étienne at a glance
| Criterion | Le Havre | Saint-Étienne |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 168,588 | 174,698 |
| Change over 10 years | −3.1% | +0.6% |
| Density per km² | 3,591 | 2,185 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,326 | 1,219 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,429 | 2,172 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.4 | 9.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 54.47% | 48.28% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,480 | 20,880 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 18.5% | 19.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.7 | 3.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 5.6 | 9.9 |
| Average temperature | 11.8°C | 11.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,651 | 2,018 |
| Area km² | 47.0 | 80.0 |
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FAQ
Le Havre vs Saint-Étienne: your questions
Which is the larger city, Le Havre or Saint-Étienne?
By population, Saint-Étienne: 174,698 inhabitants versus 168,588 for Le Havre (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Étienne is the 14th largest city in France, Le Havre the 15th. By area, Saint-Étienne is also the larger (80.0 km²).
How far is Le Havre from Saint-Étienne?
Le Havre and Saint-Étienne are 553 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Le Havre or Saint-Étienne?
To buy an apartment, Le Havre is more expensive: €2,326 per m² (median price), versus €1,219 in Saint-Étienne (+91%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Le Havre or Saint-Étienne?
In Le Havre, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,480 a year, versus €20,880 in Saint-Étienne (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Le Havre or Saint-Étienne?
Saint-Étienne: 2,018 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