2026 comparison
Lyon vs Saint-Étienne: 2026 comparison
Lyon has more inhabitants than Saint-Étienne: 525,314 versus 174,698, or 3.0 times as many. Saint-Étienne covers a larger area (80.0 km² versus 47.9 km²), but Lyon is more densely populated: 10,974 inhabitants per km² versus 2,185.
The median apartment price is higher in Lyon: €4,768 per m² versus €1,219. The median standard of living is higher in Lyon (€28,290 a year versus €20,880).
The two cities are 52 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-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
LyonSaint-Étienne
| Criterion | Lyon | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Lyon3.0 times as high | 525,314 | 174,698 | More populous: Lyon3.0 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Lyon+0.1 pt | +0.1% | +0.0% | Stronger growth: Lyon+0.1 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Lyon+3.0 pts | +3.7% | +0.6% | Stronger growth: Lyon+3.0 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Lyon5.0 times as high | 10,974 | 2,185 | Denser: Lyon5.0 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Étienne+2.6 pts | 14.5% | 17.0% | More young people: Saint-Étienne+2.6 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Étienne+5.6 pts | 14.9% | 20.5% | More seniors: Saint-Étienne+5.6 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Étienne+0.08 | 1.87 | 1.95 | Larger households: Saint-Étienne+0.08 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Lyon | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Lyon3.9 times as high | 4,768 | 1,219 | More expensive: Lyon3.9 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Lyon2.7 times as high | 5,954 | 2,172 | More expensive: Lyon2.7 times as high |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Lyon+68% | 16.6 | 9.9 | More expensive: Lyon+68% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Lyon+82% | 16.5 | 9.1 | More expensive: Lyon+82% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Étienne+5.5 pts | 33.4% | 38.9% | More homeowners: Saint-Étienne+5.5 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Étienne+8.3 pts | 2.4% | 10.7% | More houses: Saint-Étienne+8.3 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Étienne+7.3 pts | 24.6% | 31.9% | More social housing: Saint-Étienne+7.3 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Lyon+3.6 pts | 6.0% | 2.4% | More second homes: Lyon+3.6 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+2.7 pts | 9.3% | 12.0% | More vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+2.7 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+15 pts | 32.82% | 48.28% | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+15 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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Lyon+35% | 28,290 | 20,880 | Higher: Lyon+35% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Étienne+12 pts | 18.0% | 30.4% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+12 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Lyon+57% | €36,799 | €23,469 | Higher: Lyon+57% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Lyon+18 pts | 55% | 37% | More taxpaying households: Lyon+18 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Lyon+6.9 pts | 75.3% | 68.3% | Higher: Lyon+6.9 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Étienne+7.9 pts | 11.1% | 19.0% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+7.9 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Lyon | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Grégory Doucet | Régis Juanico | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous left | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Lyon+1.4 pt | 98% | 97% | Better covered: Lyon+1.4 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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Lyon+26% | 81.04,256 in total | 64.31,123 in total | More shops per capita: Lyon+26% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon+19% | 26.11,369 in total | 21.9383 in total | More per capita: Lyon+19% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon+67% | 62.53,284 in total | 37.4653 in total | More per capita: Lyon+67% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+23% | 11.6611 in total | 14.3250 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+23% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon+5% | 1.579 in total | 1.425 in total | More per capita: Lyon+5% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon+96% | 2.2118 in total | 1.120 in total | More per capita: Lyon+96% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Lyon+1 | 6 | 5 | More stations: Lyon+1 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Lyon | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Lyon+21% | 4.6 | 3.8 | Better access: Lyon+21% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon+46% | 13.5709 in total | 9.2161 in total | More per capita: Lyon+46% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon2.4 times as high | 37.51,972 in total | 15.7275 in total | More per capita: Lyon2.4 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon2.6 times as high | 10.8565 in total | 4.172 in total | More per capita: Lyon2.6 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Lyon+3% | 3.0155 in total | 2.950 in total | More per capita: Lyon+3% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Lyon+24 | 33 | 9 | More facilities: Lyon+24 |
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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Lyon+124 | 214 | 90 | More schools: Lyon+124 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Lyon+35 | 59 | 24 | More middle schools: Lyon+35 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Lyon+50 | 74 | 24 | More high schools: Lyon+50 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Lyon+162 | 201 | 39 | More facilities: Lyon+162 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Lyon | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Étienne+45% | 6.9 | 9.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+45% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lyon2.6 times as high | 39.3 | 15.3 | Higher rate: Lyon2.6 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lyon+23% | 5.3 | 4.3 | Higher rate: Lyon+23% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Lyon+3% | 2.9 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Lyon+3% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+36% | 11.2 | 15.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+36% |
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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Lyon+1.4 °C | 12.8°C | 11.4°C | Warmer: Lyon+1.4 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Lyon+2% | 2,050 | 2,018 | Sunnier: Lyon+2% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Étienne+1% | 783 | 794 | Wetter: Saint-Étienne+1% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Étienne+4 days/year | 100 | 105 | More rainy days: Saint-Étienne+4 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Étienne+16 days/year | 44 | 60 | More frost days: Saint-Étienne+16 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Lyon+13 days/year | 33 | 20 | More hot days: Lyon+13 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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Lyon+3 | 24 | 21 | More declarations: Lyon+3 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Étienne+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Saint-Étienne+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Significant | Significant | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Lyon | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Étienne+67% | 47.9 | 80.0 | Larger: Saint-Étienne+67% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Étienne+345 m | 169 m | 515 m | Higher: Saint-Étienne+345 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Rhône (69) | Loire (42) | |
| Intercommunality | Métropole de Lyon | Saint-Etienne Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Lyon | Saint-Étienne | |
| Functional area | Lyon | Saint-Étienne |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Lyon vs Saint-Étienne at a glance
| Criterion | Lyon | Saint-Étienne |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 525,314 | 174,698 |
| Change over 10 years | +3.7% | +0.6% |
| Density per km² | 10,974 | 2,185 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,768 | 1,219 |
| Median house price €/m² | 5,954 | 2,172 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 16.6 | 9.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 32.82% | 48.28% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 28,290 | 20,880 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.1% | 19.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.6 | 3.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.9 | 9.9 |
| Average temperature | 12.8°C | 11.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,050 | 2,018 |
| Area km² | 47.9 | 80.0 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
Lyon vs Saint-Étienne: your questions
Which is the larger city, Lyon or Saint-Étienne?
By population, Lyon: 525,314 inhabitants versus 174,698 for Saint-Étienne (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Lyon is the 3rd largest city in France, Saint-Étienne the 14th. By area, Saint-Étienne is the larger (80.0 km²).
How far is Lyon from Saint-Étienne?
Lyon and Saint-Étienne are 52 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Lyon or Saint-Étienne?
To buy an apartment, Lyon is more expensive: €4,768 per m² (median price), versus €1,219 in Saint-Étienne (+291%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Lyon or Saint-Étienne?
In Lyon, half of the residents have a standard of living above €28,290 a year, versus €20,880 in Saint-Étienne (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Lyon or Saint-Étienne?
Lyon: 2,050 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 2,018 in Saint-Étienne (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