2026 comparison
Montpellier vs Saint-Denis (974): 2026 comparison
Montpellier has more inhabitants than Saint-Denis: 313,712 versus 157,142, or 2.0 times as many. Saint-Denis covers a larger area (143 km² versus 56.9 km²), but Montpellier is more densely populated: 5,515 inhabitants per km² versus 1,101.
The median apartment price is higher in Montpellier: €3,351 per m² versus €2,500. The median standard of living is higher in Montpellier (€21,440 a year versus €20,240).
The two cities are 8,895 km apart as the crow flies.
Montpellier
City in Hérault
- Population
- 313,712 inhab.
- 7th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 56.9 km²
- Density
- 5,515 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
MontpellierSaint-Denis
| Criterion | Montpellier | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Montpellier+100% | 313,712 | 157,142 | More populous: Montpellier+100% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Montpellier+3.6 pts | +7.0% | +3.4% | Stronger growth: Montpellier+3.6 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Montpellier+4.8 pts | +14.0% | +9.3% | Stronger growth: Montpellier+4.8 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Montpellier5.0 times as high | 5,515 | 1,101 | Denser: Montpellier5.0 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Denis+5.8 pts | 14.7% | 20.6% | More young people: Saint-Denis+5.8 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Montpellier+0.3 pt | 14.9% | 14.5% | More seniors: Montpellier+0.3 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Denis+0.40 | 1.83 | 2.23 | Larger households: Saint-Denis+0.40 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Montpellier | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Montpellier+34% | 3,351 | 2,500 | More expensive: Montpellier+34% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Montpellier+25% | 3,966 | 3,183 | More expensive: Montpellier+25% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Montpellier+3% | 15.5 | 15.1 | More expensive: Montpellier+3% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Denis+4% | 14.3 | 14.9 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+4% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Denis+0.9 pt | 30.6% | 31.5% | More homeowners: Saint-Denis+0.9 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Denis+22 pts | 11.6% | 34.0% | More houses: Saint-Denis+22 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Denis+14 pts | 24.7% | 38.9% | More social housing: Saint-Denis+14 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Montpellier+2.7 pts | 4.5% | 1.8% | More second homes: Montpellier+2.7 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Denis+1.8 pt | 6.9% | 8.8% | More vacant homes: Saint-Denis+1.8 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Montpellier+15 pts | 54.28% | 38.97% | Higher rate: Montpellier+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 | Montpellier | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Montpellier+6% | 21,440 | 20,240 | Higher: Montpellier+6% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Denis+4.1 pts | 30.9% | 35.0% | Higher: Saint-Denis+4.1 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Montpellier+3% | €25,669 | €24,973 | Higher: Montpellier+3% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Montpellier+11 pts | 40% | 29% | More taxpaying households: Montpellier+11 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+7.0 pts | 18.3% | 25.4% | Higher: Saint-Denis+7.0 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Montpellier | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Michaël Delafosse | 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+5.9 pts | 91% | 97% | Better covered: Saint-Denis+5.9 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Montpellier | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Denis+11% | 58.71,841 in total | 65.21,025 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Denis+11% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montpellier+6% | 22.6708 in total | 21.3334 in total | More per capita: Montpellier+6% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montpellier+16% | 54.91,721 in total | 47.3744 in total | More per capita: Montpellier+16% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+62% | 11.6363 in total | 18.7294 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+62% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+7% | 1.341 in total | 1.422 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+7% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montpellier2.4 times as high | 1.858 in total | 0.812 in total | More per capita: Montpellier2.4 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Montpellier+2 | 2 | 0 | More stations: Montpellier+2 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Montpellier | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Montpellier+4% | 5.0 | 4.8 | Better access: Montpellier+4% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montpellier+25% | 12.5393 in total | 10.0157 in total | More per capita: Montpellier+25% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montpellier2.4 times as high | 33.31,046 in total | 13.9219 in total | More per capita: Montpellier2.4 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montpellier+20% | 8.2257 in total | 6.8107 in total | More per capita: Montpellier+20% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montpellier+6% | 3.095 in total | 2.945 in total | More per capita: Montpellier+6% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Montpellier+17 | 27 | 10 | More facilities: Montpellier+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 | Montpellier | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Montpellier+45 | 130 | 85 | More schools: Montpellier+45 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Montpellier+15 | 35 | 20 | More middle schools: Montpellier+15 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Montpellier+20 | 34 | 14 | More high schools: Montpellier+20 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Montpellier+75 | 101 | 26 | More facilities: Montpellier+75 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Montpellier | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Montpellier3.7 times as high | 7.7 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Montpellier3.7 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Montpellier5.0 times as high | 23.1 | 4.7 | Higher rate: Montpellier5.0 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Montpellier+12% | 5.0 | 4.5 | Higher rate: Montpellier+12% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Montpellier2.7 times as high | 2.7 | 1.0 | Higher rate: Montpellier2.7 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Montpellier+97% | 14.3 | 7.2 | Higher rate: Montpellier+97% |
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 | Montpellier | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Denis+9.0 °C | 15.5°C | 24.5°C | Warmer: Saint-Denis+9.0 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Montpellier+5% | 2,705 | 2,567 | Sunnier: Montpellier+5% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Denis2.4 times as high | 639 | 1,530 | Wetter: Saint-Denis2.4 times as high |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Denis+59 days/year | 58 | 117 | More rainy days: Saint-Denis+59 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Montpellier+21 days/year | 21 | 0 | More frost days: Montpellier+21 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Denis+40 days/year | 34 | 75 | More hot days: Saint-Denis+40 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 | Montpellier | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Montpellier+15 | 36 | 21 | More declarations: Montpellier+15 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Montpellier+1 | 2 | 1 | More plans: Montpellier+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Montpellier | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Denis2.5 times as high | 56.9 | 143 | Larger: Saint-Denis2.5 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Montpellier+4 m | 19 m | 15 m | Higher: Montpellier+4 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Hérault (34) | Réunion (974) | |
| Intercommunality | Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération Intercommunale du Nord de la Réunion (CINOR) | |
| Urban unit | Montpellier | Saint-Denis | |
| Functional area | Montpellier | Saint-Denis |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Montpellier vs Saint-Denis (974) at a glance
| Criterion | Montpellier | Saint-Denis |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 313,712 | 157,142 |
| Change over 10 years | +14.0% | +9.3% |
| Density per km² | 5,515 | 1,101 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,351 | 2,500 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,966 | 3,183 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 15.5 | 15.1 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 54.28% | 38.97% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 21,440 | 20,240 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 18.3% | 25.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 91% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.0 | 4.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 7.7 | 2.1 |
| Average temperature | 15.5°C | 24.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,705 | 2,567 |
| Area km² | 56.9 | 143 |
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FAQ
Montpellier vs Saint-Denis (974): your questions
Which is the larger city, Montpellier or Saint-Denis?
By population, Montpellier: 313,712 inhabitants versus 157,142 for Saint-Denis (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Montpellier is the 7th largest city in France, Saint-Denis the 20th. By area, Saint-Denis is the larger (143 km²).
How far is Montpellier from Saint-Denis?
Montpellier and Saint-Denis are 8,895 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Montpellier or Saint-Denis?
To buy an apartment, Montpellier is more expensive: €3,351 per m² (median price), versus €2,500 in Saint-Denis (+34%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Montpellier or Saint-Denis?
In Montpellier, half of the residents have a standard of living above €21,440 a year, versus €20,240 in Saint-Denis (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Montpellier or Saint-Denis?
Montpellier: 2,705 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