2026 comparison
Le Tampon vs Saint-Joseph (974): 2026 comparison
Le Tampon has more inhabitants than Saint-Joseph: 83,518 versus 39,763, or 2.1 times as many. Saint-Joseph covers a larger area (179 km² versus 165 km²), but Le Tampon is more densely populated: 505 inhabitants per km² versus 223.
The median apartment price is higher in Le Tampon: €2,396 per m² versus €1,978. The median standard of living is higher in Le Tampon (€18,470 a year versus €16,870).
The two cities are 11 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
© ThomasInTheSky, CC BY-SA 4.0
Le Tampon
City in Réunion
- Population
- 83,518 inhab.
- 58th in France · 4th in its department
- Area
- 165 km²
- Density
- 505 per km²
Saint-Joseph
City in Réunion
- Population
- 39,763 inhab.
- 201st in France · 7th in its department
- Area
- 179 km²
- Density
- 223 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1962
Le TamponSaint-Joseph
| Criterion | Le Tampon | Saint-Joseph | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Le Tampon2.1 times as high | 83,518 | 39,763 | More populous: Le Tampon2.1 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Joseph+0.5 pt | +4.0% | +4.5% | Stronger growth: Saint-Joseph+0.5 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Le Tampon+4.1 pts | +8.5% | +4.4% | Stronger growth: Le Tampon+4.1 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Le Tampon2.3 times as high | 505 | 223 | Denser: Le Tampon2.3 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Le Tampon+1.0 pt | 21.3% | 20.4% | More young people: Le Tampon+1.0 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Joseph+2.1 pts | 14.2% | 16.3% | More seniors: Saint-Joseph+2.1 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Joseph+0.03 | 2.37 | 2.40 | Larger households: Saint-Joseph+0.03 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Le Tampon | Saint-Joseph | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Le Tampon+21% | 2,396 | 1,978 | More expensive: Le Tampon+21% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Le Tampon+10% | 2,382 | 2,170 | More expensive: Le Tampon+10% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Joseph+2% | 13.5 | 13.8 | More expensive: Saint-Joseph+2% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Le Tampon+4% | 11.9 | 11.4 | More expensive: Le Tampon+4% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Joseph+8.6 pts | 49.6% | 58.2% | More homeowners: Saint-Joseph+8.6 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Joseph+7.7 pts | 74.3% | 82.0% | More houses: Saint-Joseph+7.7 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Le Tampon+3.4 pts | 17.6% | 14.1% | More social housing: Le Tampon+3.4 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Le Tampon+1.1 pt | 3.0% | 1.9% | More second homes: Le Tampon+1.1 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Joseph+1.1 pt | 6.0% | 7.1% | More vacant homes: Saint-Joseph+1.1 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Joseph+7.3 pts | 41.06% | 48.33% | Higher rate: Saint-Joseph+7.3 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 Tampon | Saint-Joseph | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Le Tampon+9% | 18,470 | 16,870 | Higher: Le Tampon+9% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Joseph+5.7 pts | 38.1% | 43.8% | Higher: Saint-Joseph+5.7 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Le Tampon+20% | €20,966 | €17,467 | Higher: Le Tampon+20% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Le Tampon+4.4 pts | 22% | 17% | More taxpaying households: Le Tampon+4.4 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Le Tampon+1.3 pt | 70.4% | 69.1% | Higher: Le Tampon+1.3 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Joseph+5.9 pts | 29.7% | 35.6% | Higher: Saint-Joseph+5.9 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Le Tampon | Saint-Joseph | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Alexis Chaussalet | Patrick Lebreton | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the left | miscellaneous left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Joseph+4.3 pts | 94% | 98% | Better covered: Saint-Joseph+4.3 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Le Tampon | Saint-Joseph | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Joseph+11% | 45.1377 in total | 50.3200 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Joseph+11% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Joseph+26% | 17.4145 in total | 21.987 in total | More per capita: Saint-Joseph+26% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Tampon+16% | 34.4287 in total | 29.7118 in total | More per capita: Le Tampon+16% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Joseph+1% | 19.6164 in total | 19.979 in total | More per capita: Saint-Joseph+1% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Joseph+29% | 1.613 in total | 2.08 in total | More per capita: Saint-Joseph+29% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Tampon+1.0 | 1.08 in total | 0.00 in total | More per capita: Le Tampon+1.0 |
| Passenger train stationsTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Le Tampon | Saint-Joseph | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Le Tampon+15% | 5.7 | 4.9 | Better access: Le Tampon+15% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Tampon+33% | 11.092 in total | 8.333 in total | More per capita: Le Tampon+33% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Le Tampon3.1 times as high | 9.378 in total | 3.012 in total | More per capita: Le Tampon3.1 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Joseph+11% | 5.949 in total | 6.526 in total | More per capita: Saint-Joseph+11% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Joseph+16% | 2.420 in total | 2.811 in total | More per capita: Saint-Joseph+16% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Le Tampon+2 | 5 | 3 | More facilities: Le Tampon+2 |
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 Tampon | Saint-Joseph | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Le Tampon+16 | 42 | 26 | More schools: Le Tampon+16 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Le Tampon+5 | 10 | 5 | More middle schools: Le Tampon+5 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Le Tampon+1 | 6 | 5 | More high schools: Le Tampon+1 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Le Tampon+4 | 4 | 0 | More facilities: Le Tampon+4 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Le Tampon | Saint-Joseph | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Le Tampon+60% | 1.2 | 0.7 | Higher rate: Le Tampon+60% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Le Tampon+22% | 3.9 | 3.2 | Higher rate: Le Tampon+22% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Le Tampon+18% | 3.2 | 2.7 | Higher rate: Le Tampon+18% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Le Tampon+34% | 0.8 | 0.6 | Higher rate: Le Tampon+34% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Le Tampon+28% | 4.3 | 3.4 | Higher rate: Le Tampon+28% |
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 Tampon | Saint-Joseph | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Joseph+2.1 °C | 22.3°C | 24.4°C | Warmer: Saint-Joseph+2.1 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Joseph+75% | 949 | 1,661 | Wetter: Saint-Joseph+75% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Joseph+51 days/year | 75 | 126 | More rainy days: Saint-Joseph+51 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Joseph+37 days/year | 63 | 100 | More hot days: Saint-Joseph+37 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 Tampon | Saint-Joseph | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Joseph+2 | 18 | 20 | More declarations: Saint-Joseph+2 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Joseph+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Saint-Joseph+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Le Tampon | Saint-Joseph | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Joseph+8% | 165 | 179 | Larger: Saint-Joseph+8% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Le Tampon+501 m | 539 m | 38 m | Higher: Le Tampon+501 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Small town | |
| DepartmentSame | Réunion (974) | Réunion (974) | Same |
| IntercommunalitySame | Communauté d'agglomération du Sud | Communauté d'agglomération du Sud | Same |
| Urban unit | Saint-Pierre | Saint-Joseph | |
| Functional areaSame | Saint-Pierre - Le Tampon | Saint-Pierre - Le Tampon | Same |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Le Tampon vs Saint-Joseph (974) at a glance
| Criterion | Le Tampon | Saint-Joseph |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 83,518 | 39,763 |
| Change over 10 years | +8.5% | +4.4% |
| Density per km² | 505 | 223 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,396 | 1,978 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,382 | 2,170 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.5 | 13.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 41.06% | 48.33% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 18,470 | 16,870 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 29.7% | 35.6% |
| Premises with fiber | 94% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.7 | 4.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 1.2 | 0.7 |
| Average temperature | 22.3°C | 24.4°C |
| Area km² | 165 | 179 |
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FAQ
Le Tampon vs Saint-Joseph (974): your questions
Which is the larger city, Le Tampon or Saint-Joseph?
By population, Le Tampon: 83,518 inhabitants versus 39,763 for Saint-Joseph (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Le Tampon is the 58th largest city in France, Saint-Joseph the 201st. By area, Saint-Joseph is the larger (179 km²).
How far is Le Tampon from Saint-Joseph?
Le Tampon and Saint-Joseph are 11 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Réunion).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Le Tampon or Saint-Joseph?
To buy an apartment, Le Tampon is more expensive: €2,396 per m² (median price), versus €1,978 in Saint-Joseph (+21%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Le Tampon or Saint-Joseph?
In Le Tampon, half of the residents have a standard of living above €18,470 a year, versus €16,870 in Saint-Joseph (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Le Tampon and Saint-Joseph in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Réunion (974), in the Réunion region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures