2026 comparison
Lyon vs Saint-Denis (974): 2026 comparison
Lyon has more inhabitants than Saint-Denis: 525,314 versus 157,142, or 3.3 times as many. Saint-Denis covers a larger area (143 km² versus 47.9 km²), but Lyon is more densely populated: 10,974 inhabitants per km² versus 1,101.
The median apartment price is higher in Lyon: €4,768 per m² versus €2,500. The median standard of living is higher in Lyon (€28,290 a year versus €20,240).
The two cities are 9,000 km apart as the crow flies.
Lyon
City in Rhône
- Population
- 525,314 inhab.
- 3rd in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 47.9 km²
- Density
- 10,974 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
LyonSaint-Denis
| Criterion | Lyon | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Lyon3.3 times as high | 525,314 | 157,142 | More populous: Lyon3.3 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+3.3 pts | +0.1% | +3.4% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+3.3 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+5.6 pts | +3.7% | +9.3% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+5.6 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Lyon10.0 times as high | 10,974 | 1,101 | Denser: Lyon10.0 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Denis+6.1 pts | 14.5% | 20.6% | More young people: Saint-Denis+6.1 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Lyon+0.4 pt | 14.9% | 14.5% | More seniors: Lyon+0.4 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Denis+0.36 | 1.87 | 2.23 | Larger households: Saint-Denis+0.36 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Lyon | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Lyon+91% | 4,768 | 2,500 | More expensive: Lyon+91% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Lyon+87% | 5,954 | 3,183 | More expensive: Lyon+87% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Lyon+10% | 16.6 | 15.1 | More expensive: Lyon+10% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Lyon+11% | 16.5 | 14.9 | More expensive: Lyon+11% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Lyon+1.9 pt | 33.4% | 31.5% | More homeowners: Lyon+1.9 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Denis+32 pts | 2.4% | 34.0% | More houses: Saint-Denis+32 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Denis+14 pts | 24.6% | 38.9% | More social housing: Saint-Denis+14 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Lyon+4.2 pts | 6.0% | 1.8% | More second homes: Lyon+4.2 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Lyon+0.6 pt | 9.3% | 8.8% | More vacant homes: Lyon+0.6 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Denis+6.2 pts | 32.82% | 38.97% | Higher rate: Saint-Denis+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 | Lyon | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Lyon+40% | 28,290 | 20,240 | Higher: Lyon+40% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Denis+17 pts | 18.0% | 35.0% | Higher: Saint-Denis+17 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Lyon+47% | €36,799 | €24,973 | Higher: Lyon+47% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Lyon+26 pts | 55% | 29% | More taxpaying households: Lyon+26 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Lyon+5.4 pts | 75.3% | 69.9% | Higher: Lyon+5.4 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Denis+14 pts | 11.1% | 25.4% | Higher: Saint-Denis+14 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Lyon | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Grégory Doucet | Ericka Bareigts | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous left | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Lyon+0.9 pt | 98% | 97% | Better covered: Lyon+0.9 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Lyon | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Lyon+24% | 81.04,256 in total | 65.21,025 in total | More shops per capita: Lyon+24% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon+23% | 26.11,369 in total | 21.3334 in total | More per capita: Lyon+23% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon+32% | 62.53,284 in total | 47.3744 in total | More per capita: Lyon+32% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+61% | 11.6611 in total | 18.7294 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+61% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon+7% | 1.579 in total | 1.422 in total | More per capita: Lyon+7% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon2.9 times as high | 2.2118 in total | 0.812 in total | More per capita: Lyon2.9 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Lyon+6 | 6 | 0 | More stations: Lyon+6 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Lyon | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Denis+5% | 4.6 | 4.8 | Better access: Saint-Denis+5% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon+35% | 13.5709 in total | 10.0157 in total | More per capita: Lyon+35% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon2.7 times as high | 37.51,972 in total | 13.9219 in total | More per capita: Lyon2.7 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon+58% | 10.8565 in total | 6.8107 in total | More per capita: Lyon+58% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon+3% | 3.0155 in total | 2.945 in total | More per capita: Lyon+3% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Lyon+23 | 33 | 10 | More facilities: Lyon+23 |
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 | Lyon | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Lyon+129 | 214 | 85 | More schools: Lyon+129 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Lyon+39 | 59 | 20 | More middle schools: Lyon+39 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Lyon+60 | 74 | 14 | More high schools: Lyon+60 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Lyon+175 | 201 | 26 | More facilities: Lyon+175 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Lyon | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Lyon3.3 times as high | 6.9 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Lyon3.3 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lyon8.4 times as high | 39.3 | 4.7 | Higher rate: Lyon8.4 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lyon+18% | 5.3 | 4.5 | Higher rate: Lyon+18% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lyon2.9 times as high | 2.9 | 1.0 | Higher rate: Lyon2.9 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lyon+55% | 11.2 | 7.2 | Higher rate: Lyon+55% |
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 | Lyon | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Denis+11.7 °C | 12.8°C | 24.5°C | Warmer: Saint-Denis+11.7 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Saint-Denis+25% | 2,050 | 2,567 | Sunnier: Saint-Denis+25% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Denis+96% | 783 | 1,530 | Wetter: Saint-Denis+96% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Denis+16 days/year | 100 | 117 | More rainy days: Saint-Denis+16 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Lyon+44 days/year | 44 | 0 | More frost days: Lyon+44 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Denis+42 days/year | 33 | 75 | More hot days: Saint-Denis+42 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 | Lyon | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Lyon+3 | 24 | 21 | More declarations: Lyon+3 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Lyon | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Denis3.0 times as high | 47.9 | 143 | Larger: Saint-Denis3.0 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Lyon+154 m | 169 m | 15 m | Higher: Lyon+154 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Rhône (69) | Réunion (974) | |
| Intercommunality | Métropole de Lyon | Communauté d'agglomération Intercommunale du Nord de la Réunion (CINOR) | |
| Urban unit | Lyon | Saint-Denis | |
| Functional area | Lyon | Saint-Denis |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Lyon vs Saint-Denis (974) at a glance
| Criterion | Lyon | Saint-Denis |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 525,314 | 157,142 |
| Change over 10 years | +3.7% | +9.3% |
| Density per km² | 10,974 | 1,101 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,768 | 2,500 |
| Median house price €/m² | 5,954 | 3,183 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 16.6 | 15.1 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 32.82% | 38.97% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 28,290 | 20,240 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.1% | 25.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.6 | 4.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.9 | 2.1 |
| Average temperature | 12.8°C | 24.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,050 | 2,567 |
| Area km² | 47.9 | 143 |
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FAQ
Lyon vs Saint-Denis (974): your questions
Which is the larger city, Lyon or Saint-Denis?
By population, Lyon: 525,314 inhabitants versus 157,142 for Saint-Denis (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Lyon is the 3rd largest city in France, Saint-Denis the 20th. By area, Saint-Denis is the larger (143 km²).
How far is Lyon from Saint-Denis?
Lyon and Saint-Denis are 9,000 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Lyon or Saint-Denis?
To buy an apartment, Lyon is more expensive: €4,768 per m² (median price), versus €2,500 in Saint-Denis (+91%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Lyon or Saint-Denis?
In Lyon, half of the residents have a standard of living above €28,290 a year, versus €20,240 in Saint-Denis (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Lyon or Saint-Denis?
Saint-Denis: 2,567 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 2,050 in Lyon (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