2026 comparison
Marseille vs Saint-Étienne: 2026 comparison
Marseille has more inhabitants than Saint-Étienne: 892,391 versus 174,698, or 5.1 times as many. Marseille is both larger (241 km² versus 80.0 km²) and more densely populated (3,709 inhabitants per km² versus 2,185).
The median apartment price is higher in Marseille: €3,095 per m² versus €1,219. The median standard of living is higher in Marseille (€22,860 a year versus €20,880).
The two cities are 252 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-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
MarseilleSaint-Étienne
| Criterion | Marseille | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Marseille5.1 times as high | 892,391 | 174,698 | More populous: Marseille5.1 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Marseille+2.0 pts | +2.0% | +0.0% | Stronger growth: Marseille+2.0 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Marseille+2.9 pts | +3.6% | +0.6% | Stronger growth: Marseille+2.9 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Marseille+70% | 3,709 | 2,185 | Denser: Marseille+70% |
| Under 15More young people: Marseille+0.4 pt | 17.4% | 17.0% | More young people: Marseille+0.4 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Étienne+1.0 pt | 19.5% | 20.5% | More seniors: Saint-Étienne+1.0 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Marseille+0.12 | 2.07 | 1.95 | Larger households: Marseille+0.12 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Marseille | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Marseille2.5 times as high | 3,095 | 1,219 | More expensive: Marseille2.5 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Marseille2.2 times as high | 4,749 | 2,172 | More expensive: Marseille2.2 times as high |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Marseille+65% | 16.3 | 9.9 | More expensive: Marseille+65% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Marseille+92% | 17.4 | 9.1 | More expensive: Marseille+92% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Marseille+4.1 pts | 42.9% | 38.9% | More homeowners: Marseille+4.1 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Marseille+4.2 pts | 14.9% | 10.7% | More houses: Marseille+4.2 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Étienne+10.0 pts | 22.0% | 31.9% | More social housing: Saint-Étienne+10.0 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Marseille+1.1 pt | 3.5% | 2.4% | More second homes: Marseille+1.1 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+4.4 pts | 7.6% | 12.0% | More vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+4.4 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+0.4 pt | 47.87% | 48.28% | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+0.4 pt |
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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Marseille+9% | 22,860 | 20,880 | Higher: Marseille+9% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Étienne+2.3 pts | 28.1% | 30.4% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+2.3 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Marseille+20% | €28,163 | €23,469 | Higher: Marseille+20% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Marseille+4.8 pts | 42% | 37% | More taxpaying households: Marseille+4.8 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Étienne+0.2 pt | 68.1% | 68.3% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+0.2 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Étienne+5.5 pts | 13.5% | 19.0% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+5.5 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Marseille | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Benoît Payan | Régis Juanico | |
| 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-Étienne+6.8 pts | 90% | 97% | Better covered: Saint-Étienne+6.8 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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Marseille+4% | 66.65,939 in total | 64.31,123 in total | More shops per capita: Marseille+4% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+22% | 26.72,381 in total | 21.9383 in total | More per capita: Marseille+22% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+28% | 47.84,267 in total | 37.4653 in total | More per capita: Marseille+28% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+48% | 9.6860 in total | 14.3250 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+48% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+70% | 0.875 in total | 1.425 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+70% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+14% | 1.3116 in total | 1.120 in total | More per capita: Marseille+14% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Marseille+7 | 12 | 5 | More stations: Marseille+7 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Marseille | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Marseille+36% | 5.2 | 3.8 | Better access: Marseille+36% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+57% | 14.51,290 in total | 9.2161 in total | More per capita: Marseille+57% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+54% | 24.22,157 in total | 15.7275 in total | More per capita: Marseille+54% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille2.4 times as high | 9.9887 in total | 4.172 in total | More per capita: Marseille2.4 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Marseille+39% | 4.0355 in total | 2.950 in total | More per capita: Marseille+39% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Marseille+60 | 69 | 9 | More facilities: Marseille+60 |
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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Marseille+424 | 514 | 90 | More schools: Marseille+424 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Marseille+92 | 116 | 24 | More middle schools: Marseille+92 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Marseille+70 | 94 | 24 | More high schools: Marseille+70 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Marseille+69 | 108 | 39 | More facilities: Marseille+69 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Marseille | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Étienne+7% | 9.3 | 9.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+7% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Marseille+27% | 19.3 | 15.3 | Higher rate: Marseille+27% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Marseille+17% | 5.0 | 4.3 | Higher rate: Marseille+17% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Marseille2.3 times as high | 6.5 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Marseille2.3 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+14% | 13.4 | 15.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+14% |
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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Marseille+3.9 °C | 15.3°C | 11.4°C | Warmer: Marseille+3.9 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Marseille+44% | 2,898 | 2,018 | Sunnier: Marseille+44% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Étienne+29% | 615 | 794 | Wetter: Saint-Étienne+29% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Étienne+48 days/year | 57 | 105 | More rainy days: Saint-Étienne+48 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Étienne+52 days/year | 8 | 60 | More frost days: Saint-Étienne+52 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Marseille+8 days/year | 28 | 20 | More hot days: Marseille+8 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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Marseille+30 | 51 | 21 | More declarations: Marseille+30 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Marseille+3 | 5 | 2 | More plans: Marseille+3 |
| Radon potential | Low, with aggravating factors | Significant |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Marseille | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Marseille3.0 times as high | 241 | 80.0 | Larger: Marseille3.0 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Étienne+513 m | 2 m | 515 m | Higher: Saint-Étienne+513 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Bouches-du-Rhône (13) | Loire (42) | |
| Intercommunality | Métropole d'Aix-Marseille-Provence | Saint-Etienne Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Marseille-Aix-en-Provence | Saint-Étienne | |
| Functional area | Marseille - Aix-en-Provence | Saint-Étienne |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Marseille vs Saint-Étienne at a glance
| Criterion | Marseille | Saint-Étienne |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 892,391 | 174,698 |
| Change over 10 years | +3.6% | +0.6% |
| Density per km² | 3,709 | 2,185 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,095 | 1,219 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,749 | 2,172 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 16.3 | 9.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 47.87% | 48.28% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,860 | 20,880 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 13.5% | 19.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 90% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.2 | 3.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 9.3 | 9.9 |
| Average temperature | 15.3°C | 11.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,898 | 2,018 |
| Area km² | 241 | 80.0 |
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FAQ
Marseille vs Saint-Étienne: your questions
Which is the larger city, Marseille or Saint-Étienne?
By population, Marseille: 892,391 inhabitants versus 174,698 for Saint-Étienne (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Marseille is the 2nd largest city in France, Saint-Étienne the 14th. By area, Marseille is also the larger (241 km²).
How far is Marseille from Saint-Étienne?
Marseille and Saint-Étienne are 252 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Marseille or Saint-Étienne?
To buy an apartment, Marseille is more expensive: €3,095 per m² (median price), versus €1,219 in Saint-Étienne (+154%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Marseille or Saint-Étienne?
In Marseille, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,860 a year, versus €20,880 in Saint-Étienne (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Marseille or Saint-Étienne?
Marseille: 2,898 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