2026 comparison
Lille vs Saint-Denis (974): 2026 comparison
Lille has more inhabitants than Saint-Denis: 240,109 versus 157,142, or 53% more. Saint-Denis covers a larger area (143 km² versus 34.8 km²), but Lille is more densely populated: 6,894 inhabitants per km² versus 1,101.
The median apartment price is higher in Lille: €3,777 per m² versus €2,500. The median standard of living is higher in Lille (€22,470 a year versus €20,240).
The two cities are 9,464 km apart as the crow flies.
Lille
City in Nord
- Population
- 240,109 inhab.
- 10th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 34.8 km²
- Density
- 6,894 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
LilleSaint-Denis
| Criterion | Lille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Lille+53% | 240,109 | 157,142 | More populous: Lille+53% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+1.2 pt | +2.2% | +3.4% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+1.2 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+6.3 pts | +2.9% | +9.3% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+6.3 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Lille6.3 times as high | 6,894 | 1,101 | Denser: Lille6.3 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Denis+6.5 pts | 14.1% | 20.6% | More young people: Saint-Denis+6.5 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Denis+3.5 pts | 11.1% | 14.5% | More seniors: Saint-Denis+3.5 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Denis+0.44 | 1.79 | 2.23 | Larger households: Saint-Denis+0.44 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Lille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Lille+51% | 3,777 | 2,500 | More expensive: Lille+51% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Denis+13% | 2,828 | 3,183 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+13% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Lille+4% | 15.8 | 15.1 | More expensive: Lille+4% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Denis+17% | 12.7 | 14.9 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+17% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Denis+3.9 pts | 27.6% | 31.5% | More homeowners: Saint-Denis+3.9 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Denis+14 pts | 19.7% | 34.0% | More houses: Saint-Denis+14 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | — | 38.9% | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Lille+1.6 pt | 3.4% | 1.8% | More second homes: Lille+1.6 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Denis+0.7 pt | 8.0% | 8.8% | More vacant homes: Saint-Denis+0.7 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Lille+9.9 pts | 48.91% | 38.97% | Higher rate: Lille+9.9 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 | Lille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Lille+11% | 22,470 | 20,240 | Higher: Lille+11% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Denis+6.4 pts | 28.6% | 35.0% | Higher: Saint-Denis+6.4 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Lille+9% | €27,252 | €24,973 | Higher: Lille+9% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Lille+15 pts | 43% | 29% | More taxpaying households: Lille+15 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Denis+2.1 pts | 67.8% | 69.9% | Higher: Saint-Denis+2.1 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Denis+9.7 pts | 15.7% | 25.4% | Higher: Saint-Denis+9.7 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Lille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Arnaud Deslandes | Ericka Bareigts | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | union of the left | union of the left | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Denis+2.9 pts | 94% | 97% | Better covered: Saint-Denis+2.9 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Lille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Lille+13% | 73.91,774 in total | 65.21,025 in total | More shops per capita: Lille+13% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lille+10% | 23.3560 in total | 21.3334 in total | More per capita: Lille+10% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lille+47% | 69.61,671 in total | 47.3744 in total | More per capita: Lille+47% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+78% | 10.5253 in total | 18.7294 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+78% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lille+19% | 1.740 in total | 1.422 in total | More per capita: Lille+19% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lille3.1 times as high | 2.356 in total | 0.812 in total | More per capita: Lille3.1 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Lille+7 | 7 | 0 | More stations: Lille+7 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Lille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Lille+28% | 6.2 | 4.8 | Better access: Lille+28% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lille+29% | 12.9309 in total | 10.0157 in total | More per capita: Lille+29% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lille2.9 times as high | 40.7977 in total | 13.9219 in total | More per capita: Lille2.9 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+14% | 6.0143 in total | 6.8107 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+14% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lille+12% | 3.277 in total | 2.945 in total | More per capita: Lille+12% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Lille+17 | 27 | 10 | More facilities: Lille+17 |
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 | Lille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Lille+24 | 109 | 85 | More schools: Lille+24 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Lille+4 | 24 | 20 | More middle schools: Lille+4 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Lille+11 | 25 | 14 | More high schools: Lille+11 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Lille+83 | 109 | 26 | More facilities: Lille+83 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Lille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Lille4.3 times as high | 9.0 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Lille4.3 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lille6.5 times as high | 30.5 | 4.7 | Higher rate: Lille6.5 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lille+46% | 6.6 | 4.5 | Higher rate: Lille+46% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lille3.6 times as high | 3.6 | 1.0 | Higher rate: Lille3.6 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lille+77% | 12.8 | 7.2 | Higher rate: Lille+77% |
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 | Lille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Denis+13.2 °C | 11.3°C | 24.5°C | Warmer: Saint-Denis+13.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Saint-Denis+58% | 1,627 | 2,567 | Sunnier: Saint-Denis+58% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Denis2.1 times as high | 740 | 1,530 | Wetter: Saint-Denis2.1 times as high |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Lille+9 days/year | 126 | 117 | More rainy days: Lille+9 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Lille+37 days/year | 37 | 0 | More frost days: Lille+37 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Denis+68 days/year | 7 | 75 | More hot days: Saint-Denis+68 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 | Lille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Denis+2 | 19 | 21 | More declarations: Saint-Denis+2 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Lille+1 | 2 | 1 | More plans: Lille+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Lille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Denis4.1 times as high | 34.8 | 143 | Larger: Saint-Denis4.1 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Lille+8 m | 23 m | 15 m | Higher: Lille+8 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Nord (59) | Réunion (974) | |
| Intercommunality | Métropole Européenne de Lille | Communauté d'agglomération Intercommunale du Nord de la Réunion (CINOR) | |
| Urban unit | Lille (partie française) | Saint-Denis | |
| Functional area | Lille (partie française) | Saint-Denis |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Lille vs Saint-Denis (974) at a glance
| Criterion | Lille | Saint-Denis |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 240,109 | 157,142 |
| Change over 10 years | +2.9% | +9.3% |
| Density per km² | 6,894 | 1,101 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,777 | 2,500 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,828 | 3,183 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 15.8 | 15.1 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 48.91% | 38.97% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,470 | 20,240 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 15.7% | 25.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 94% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 6.2 | 4.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 9.0 | 2.1 |
| Average temperature | 11.3°C | 24.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,627 | 2,567 |
| Area km² | 34.8 | 143 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
Lille vs Saint-Denis (974): your questions
Which is the larger city, Lille or Saint-Denis?
By population, Lille: 240,109 inhabitants versus 157,142 for Saint-Denis (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Lille is the 10th largest city in France, Saint-Denis the 20th. By area, Saint-Denis is the larger (143 km²).
How far is Lille from Saint-Denis?
Lille and Saint-Denis are 9,464 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Lille or Saint-Denis?
To buy an apartment, Lille is more expensive: €3,777 per m² (median price), versus €2,500 in Saint-Denis (+51%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Lille or Saint-Denis?
In Lille, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,470 a year, versus €20,240 in Saint-Denis (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Lille or Saint-Denis?
Saint-Denis: 2,567 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,627 in Lille (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