2026 comparison
Marseille vs Saint-Denis (974): 2026 comparison
Marseille has more inhabitants than Saint-Denis: 892,391 versus 157,142, or 5.7 times as many. Marseille is both larger (241 km² versus 143 km²) and more densely populated (3,709 inhabitants per km² versus 1,101).
The median apartment price is higher in Marseille: €3,095 per m² versus €2,500. The median standard of living is higher in Marseille (€22,860 a year versus €20,240).
The two cities are 8,781 km apart as the crow flies.
Marseille
City in Bouches-du-Rhône
FBouches-du-Rhône13Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Population
- 892,391 inhab.
- 2nd in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 241 km²
- Density
- 3,709 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
MarseilleSaint-Denis
| Criterion | Marseille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Marseille5.7 times as high | 892,391 | 157,142 | More populous: Marseille5.7 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+1.3 pt | +2.0% | +3.4% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+1.3 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+5.7 pts | +3.6% | +9.3% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+5.7 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Marseille3.4 times as high | 3,709 | 1,101 | Denser: Marseille3.4 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Denis+3.2 pts | 17.4% | 20.6% | More young people: Saint-Denis+3.2 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Marseille+5.0 pts | 19.5% | 14.5% | More seniors: Marseille+5.0 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Denis+0.16 | 2.07 | 2.23 | Larger households: Saint-Denis+0.16 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Marseille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Marseille+24% | 3,095 | 2,500 | More expensive: Marseille+24% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Marseille+49% | 4,749 | 3,183 | More expensive: Marseille+49% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Marseille+8% | 16.3 | 15.1 | More expensive: Marseille+8% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Marseille+17% | 17.4 | 14.9 | More expensive: Marseille+17% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Marseille+11 pts | 42.9% | 31.5% | More homeowners: Marseille+11 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Denis+19 pts | 14.9% | 34.0% | More houses: Saint-Denis+19 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Denis+17 pts | 22.0% | 38.9% | More social housing: Saint-Denis+17 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Marseille+1.7 pt | 3.5% | 1.8% | More second homes: Marseille+1.7 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Denis+1.2 pt | 7.6% | 8.8% | More vacant homes: Saint-Denis+1.2 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Marseille+8.9 pts | 47.87% | 38.97% | Higher rate: Marseille+8.9 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 | Marseille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Marseille+13% | 22,860 | 20,240 | Higher: Marseille+13% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Denis+6.9 pts | 28.1% | 35.0% | Higher: Saint-Denis+6.9 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Marseille+13% | €28,163 | €24,973 | Higher: Marseille+13% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Marseille+13 pts | 42% | 29% | More taxpaying households: Marseille+13 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Denis+1.8 pt | 68.1% | 69.9% | Higher: Saint-Denis+1.8 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Denis+12 pts | 13.5% | 25.4% | Higher: Saint-Denis+12 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Marseille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Benoît Payan | 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+7.4 pts | 90% | 97% | Better covered: Saint-Denis+7.4 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Marseille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Marseille+2% | 66.65,939 in total | 65.21,025 in total | More shops per capita: Marseille+2% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+26% | 26.72,381 in total | 21.3334 in total | More per capita: Marseille+26% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+1.0% | 47.84,267 in total | 47.3744 in total | More per capita: Marseille+1.0% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+94% | 9.6860 in total | 18.7294 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+94% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+67% | 0.875 in total | 1.422 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+67% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+70% | 1.3116 in total | 0.812 in total | More per capita: Marseille+70% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Marseille+12 | 12 | 0 | More stations: Marseille+12 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Marseille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Marseille+7% | 5.2 | 4.8 | Better access: Marseille+7% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+45% | 14.51,290 in total | 10.0157 in total | More per capita: Marseille+45% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+73% | 24.22,157 in total | 13.9219 in total | More per capita: Marseille+73% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+46% | 9.9887 in total | 6.8107 in total | More per capita: Marseille+46% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+39% | 4.0355 in total | 2.945 in total | More per capita: Marseille+39% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Marseille+59 | 69 | 10 | More facilities: Marseille+59 |
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 | Marseille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Marseille+429 | 514 | 85 | More schools: Marseille+429 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Marseille+96 | 116 | 20 | More middle schools: Marseille+96 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Marseille+80 | 94 | 14 | More high schools: Marseille+80 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Marseille+82 | 108 | 26 | More facilities: Marseille+82 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Marseille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Marseille4.4 times as high | 9.3 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Marseille4.4 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Marseille4.1 times as high | 19.3 | 4.7 | Higher rate: Marseille4.1 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Marseille+12% | 5.0 | 4.5 | Higher rate: Marseille+12% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Marseille6.4 times as high | 6.5 | 1.0 | Higher rate: Marseille6.4 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Marseille+85% | 13.4 | 7.2 | Higher rate: Marseille+85% |
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 | Marseille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Denis+9.2 °C | 15.3°C | 24.5°C | Warmer: Saint-Denis+9.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Marseille+13% | 2,898 | 2,567 | Sunnier: Marseille+13% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Denis2.5 times as high | 615 | 1,530 | Wetter: Saint-Denis2.5 times as high |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Denis+60 days/year | 57 | 117 | More rainy days: Saint-Denis+60 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Marseille+8 days/year | 8 | 0 | More frost days: Marseille+8 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Denis+47 days/year | 28 | 75 | More hot days: Saint-Denis+47 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 | Marseille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Marseille+30 | 51 | 21 | More declarations: Marseille+30 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Marseille+4 | 5 | 1 | More plans: Marseille+4 |
| Radon potential | Low, with aggravating factors | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Marseille | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Marseille+69% | 241 | 143 | Larger: Marseille+69% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Denis+14 m | 2 m | 15 m | Higher: Saint-Denis+14 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Bouches-du-Rhône (13) | Réunion (974) | |
| Intercommunality | Métropole d'Aix-Marseille-Provence | Communauté d'agglomération Intercommunale du Nord de la Réunion (CINOR) | |
| Urban unit | Marseille-Aix-en-Provence | Saint-Denis | |
| Functional area | Marseille - Aix-en-Provence | Saint-Denis |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Marseille vs Saint-Denis (974) at a glance
| Criterion | Marseille | Saint-Denis |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 892,391 | 157,142 |
| Change over 10 years | +3.6% | +9.3% |
| Density per km² | 3,709 | 1,101 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,095 | 2,500 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,749 | 3,183 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 16.3 | 15.1 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 47.87% | 38.97% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,860 | 20,240 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 13.5% | 25.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 90% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.2 | 4.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 9.3 | 2.1 |
| Average temperature | 15.3°C | 24.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,898 | 2,567 |
| Area km² | 241 | 143 |
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FAQ
Marseille vs Saint-Denis (974): your questions
Which is the larger city, Marseille or Saint-Denis?
By population, Marseille: 892,391 inhabitants versus 157,142 for Saint-Denis (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Marseille is the 2nd largest city in France, Saint-Denis the 20th. By area, Marseille is also the larger (241 km²).
How far is Marseille from Saint-Denis?
Marseille and Saint-Denis are 8,781 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Marseille or Saint-Denis?
To buy an apartment, Marseille is more expensive: €3,095 per m² (median price), versus €2,500 in Saint-Denis (+24%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Marseille or Saint-Denis?
In Marseille, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,860 a year, versus €20,240 in Saint-Denis (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Marseille or Saint-Denis?
Marseille: 2,898 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 2,567 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