2026 comparison
Le Mans vs Saint-Denis (93): 2026 comparison
Saint-Denis has more inhabitants than Le Mans: 149,936 versus 148,876, or 0.7% more. Le Mans covers a larger area (52.8 km² versus 15.8 km²), but Saint-Denis is more densely populated: 9,508 inhabitants per km² versus 2,819.
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Denis: €3,942 per m² versus €1,875. The median standard of living is higher in Le Mans (€23,610 a year versus €18,130).
The two cities are 192 km apart as the crow flies.
Le Mans
City in Sarthe
- Population
- 148,876 inhab.
- 24th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 52.8 km²
- Density
- 2,819 per km²
Saint-Denis
City in Seine-Saint-Denis
FSeine-Saint-Denis93Île-de-France
- Population
- 149,936 inhab.
- 23rd in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 15.8 km²
- Density
- 9,508 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Le MansSaint-Denis
| Criterion | Le Mans | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Denis+0.7% | 148,876 | 149,936 | More populous: Saint-Denis+0.7% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+2.2 pts | +2.1% | +4.3% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+2.2 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+6.8 pts | +1.4% | +8.2% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+6.8 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Denis3.4 times as high | 2,819 | 9,508 | Denser: Saint-Denis3.4 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Denis+5.1 pts | 16.3% | 21.4% | More young people: Saint-Denis+5.1 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Le Mans+11 pts | 22.2% | 10.7% | More seniors: Le Mans+11 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Denis+0.55 | 1.92 | 2.47 | Larger households: Saint-Denis+0.55 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Le Mans | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Denis2.1 times as high | 1,875 | 3,942 | More expensive: Saint-Denis2.1 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Denis+71% | 2,153 | 3,690 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+71% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Denis+78% | 11.8 | 21.0 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+78% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Denis+84% | 9.8 | 18.0 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+84% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Le Mans+22 pts | 44.7% | 22.8% | More homeowners: Le Mans+22 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Le Mans+30 pts | 40.6% | 10.9% | More houses: Le Mans+30 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | — | 53.9% | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Le Mans+2.1 pts | 3.4% | 1.3% | More second homes: Le Mans+2.1 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Le Mans+2.3 pts | 9.5% | 7.2% | More vacant homes: Le Mans+2.3 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Le Mans+8.2 pts | 47.80% | 39.65% | Higher rate: Le Mans+8.2 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 Mans | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Le Mans+30% | 23,610 | 18,130 | Higher: Le Mans+30% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Denis+16 pts | 22.9% | 38.6% | Higher: Saint-Denis+16 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Le Mans+34% | €26,832 | €19,994 | Higher: Le Mans+34% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Le Mans+12 pts | 43% | 32% | More taxpaying households: Le Mans+12 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Le Mans+3.5 pts | 73.1% | 69.6% | Higher: Le Mans+3.5 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Denis+2.5 pts | 15.7% | 18.3% | Higher: Saint-Denis+2.5 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Le Mans | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Stéphane Le Foll | Bally Bagayoko | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | Socialist Party | La France insoumise | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Le Mans+5.9 pts | 98% | 92% | Better covered: Le Mans+5.9 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Le Mans | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Le Mans+3% | 51.7769 in total | 50.3754 in total | More shops per capita: Le Mans+3% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+48% | 16.6247 in total | 24.5368 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+48% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+55% | 25.7382 in total | 39.9598 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+55% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Mans+84% | 20.9311 in total | 11.3170 in total | More per capita: Le Mans+84% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Mans+16% | 1.523 in total | 1.320 in total | More per capita: Le Mans+16% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Mans+33% | 1.929 in total | 1.522 in total | More per capita: Le Mans+33% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Saint-Denis+2 | 2 | 4 | More stations: Saint-Denis+2 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Le Mans | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Denis+23% | 3.3 | 4.1 | Better access: Saint-Denis+23% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Mans+41% | 5.887 in total | 4.162 in total | More per capita: Le Mans+41% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Mans2.3 times as high | 23.3347 in total | 9.9149 in total | More per capita: Le Mans2.3 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Mans2.4 times as high | 5.785 in total | 2.436 in total | More per capita: Le Mans2.4 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Mans+24% | 2.842 in total | 2.334 in total | More per capita: Le Mans+24% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Le Mans+8 | 17 | 9 | More facilities: Le Mans+8 |
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 Mans | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsTie | 86 | 86 | Tie |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Le Mans+8 | 27 | 19 | More middle schools: Le Mans+8 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Le Mans+5 | 19 | 14 | More high schools: Le Mans+5 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-Denis+1 | 27 | 28 | More facilities: Saint-Denis+1 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Le Mans | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Le Mans2.1 times as high | 7.2 | 3.5 | Higher rate: Le Mans2.1 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Denis2.3 times as high | 9.9 | 23.0 | Higher rate: Saint-Denis2.3 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Denis+13% | 4.9 | 5.5 | Higher rate: Saint-Denis+13% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Denis+93% | 1.5 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Denis+93% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Denis+10% | 9.5 | 10.5 | Higher rate: Saint-Denis+10% |
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 Mans | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Le Mans+0.3 °C | 12.4°C | 12.1°C | Warmer: Le Mans+0.3 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Le Mans+11% | 1,809 | 1,634 | Sunnier: Le Mans+11% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Le Mans+13% | 693 | 616 | Wetter: Le Mans+13% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Le Mans+2 days/year | 112 | 110 | More rainy days: Le Mans+2 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Le Mans+3 days/year | 40 | 37 | More frost days: Le Mans+3 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Le Mans+3 days/year | 15 | 13 | More hot days: Le Mans+3 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 Mans | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Le Mans+8 | 29 | 21 | More declarations: Le Mans+8 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Denis+2 | 1 | 3 | More plans: Saint-Denis+2 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Le Mans | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Le Mans3.3 times as high | 52.8 | 15.8 | Larger: Le Mans3.3 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Le Mans+32 m | 64 m | 31 m | Higher: Le Mans+32 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Sarthe (72) | Seine-Saint-Denis (93) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté urbaine Le Mans Métropole | Métropole du Grand Paris | |
| Urban unit | Le Mans | Paris | |
| Functional area | Le Mans | Paris |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Le Mans vs Saint-Denis (93) at a glance
| Criterion | Le Mans | Saint-Denis |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 148,876 | 149,936 |
| Change over 10 years | +1.4% | +8.2% |
| Density per km² | 2,819 | 9,508 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,875 | 3,942 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,153 | 3,690 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.8 | 21.0 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 47.80% | 39.65% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 23,610 | 18,130 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 15.7% | 18.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 92% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.3 | 4.1 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 7.2 | 3.5 |
| Average temperature | 12.4°C | 12.1°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,809 | 1,634 |
| Area km² | 52.8 | 15.8 |
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FAQ
Le Mans vs Saint-Denis (93): your questions
Which is the larger city, Le Mans or Saint-Denis?
By population, Saint-Denis: 149,936 inhabitants versus 148,876 for Le Mans (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Denis is the 23rd largest city in France, Le Mans the 24th. By area, Le Mans is the larger (52.8 km²).
How far is Le Mans from Saint-Denis?
Le Mans and Saint-Denis are 192 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Le Mans or Saint-Denis?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Denis is more expensive: €3,942 per m² (median price), versus €1,875 in Le Mans (+110%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Le Mans or Saint-Denis?
In Le Mans, half of the residents have a standard of living above €23,610 a year, versus €18,130 in Saint-Denis (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Le Mans or Saint-Denis?
Le Mans: 1,809 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,634 in Saint-Denis (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