2026 comparison
Montpellier vs Saint-Étienne: 2026 comparison
Montpellier has more inhabitants than Saint-Étienne: 313,712 versus 174,698, or 80% more. Saint-Étienne covers a larger area (80.0 km² versus 56.9 km²), but Montpellier is more densely populated: 5,515 inhabitants per km² versus 2,185.
The median apartment price is higher in Montpellier: €3,351 per m² versus €1,219. The median standard of living is higher in Montpellier (€21,440 a year versus €20,880).
The two cities are 205 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-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
MontpellierSaint-Étienne
| Criterion | Montpellier | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Montpellier+80% | 313,712 | 174,698 | More populous: Montpellier+80% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Montpellier+6.9 pts | +7.0% | +0.0% | Stronger growth: Montpellier+6.9 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Montpellier+13 pts | +14.0% | +0.6% | Stronger growth: Montpellier+13 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Montpellier2.5 times as high | 5,515 | 2,185 | Denser: Montpellier2.5 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Étienne+2.3 pts | 14.7% | 17.0% | More young people: Saint-Étienne+2.3 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Étienne+5.7 pts | 14.9% | 20.5% | More seniors: Saint-Étienne+5.7 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Étienne+0.12 | 1.83 | 1.95 | Larger households: Saint-Étienne+0.12 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Montpellier | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Montpellier2.7 times as high | 3,351 | 1,219 | More expensive: Montpellier2.7 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Montpellier+83% | 3,966 | 2,172 | More expensive: Montpellier+83% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Montpellier+57% | 15.5 | 9.9 | More expensive: Montpellier+57% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Montpellier+58% | 14.3 | 9.1 | More expensive: Montpellier+58% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Étienne+8.3 pts | 30.6% | 38.9% | More homeowners: Saint-Étienne+8.3 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Montpellier+0.9 pt | 11.6% | 10.7% | More houses: Montpellier+0.9 pt |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Étienne+7.2 pts | 24.7% | 31.9% | More social housing: Saint-Étienne+7.2 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Montpellier+2.1 pts | 4.5% | 2.4% | More second homes: Montpellier+2.1 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+5.1 pts | 6.9% | 12.0% | More vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+5.1 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Montpellier+6.0 pts | 54.28% | 48.28% | Higher rate: Montpellier+6.0 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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Montpellier+3% | 21,440 | 20,880 | Higher: Montpellier+3% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Montpellier+0.5 pt | 30.9% | 30.4% | Higher: Montpellier+0.5 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Montpellier+9% | €25,669 | €23,469 | Higher: Montpellier+9% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Montpellier+3.2 pts | 40% | 37% | More taxpaying households: Montpellier+3.2 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Étienne+0.5 pt | 67.8% | 68.3% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+0.5 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Étienne+0.7 pt | 18.3% | 19.0% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+0.7 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Montpellier | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Michaël Delafosse | 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+5.3 pts | 91% | 97% | Better covered: Saint-Étienne+5.3 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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Étienne+10% | 58.71,841 in total | 64.31,123 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Étienne+10% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montpellier+3% | 22.6708 in total | 21.9383 in total | More per capita: Montpellier+3% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montpellier+47% | 54.91,721 in total | 37.4653 in total | More per capita: Montpellier+47% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+24% | 11.6363 in total | 14.3250 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+24% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+9% | 1.341 in total | 1.425 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+9% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montpellier+61% | 1.858 in total | 1.120 in total | More per capita: Montpellier+61% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Saint-Étienne+3 | 2 | 5 | More stations: Saint-Étienne+3 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Montpellier | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Montpellier+31% | 5.0 | 3.8 | Better access: Montpellier+31% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montpellier+36% | 12.5393 in total | 9.2161 in total | More per capita: Montpellier+36% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montpellier2.1 times as high | 33.31,046 in total | 15.7275 in total | More per capita: Montpellier2.1 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montpellier+99% | 8.2257 in total | 4.172 in total | More per capita: Montpellier+99% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Montpellier+6% | 3.095 in total | 2.950 in total | More per capita: Montpellier+6% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Montpellier+18 | 27 | 9 | More facilities: Montpellier+18 |
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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Montpellier+40 | 130 | 90 | More schools: Montpellier+40 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Montpellier+11 | 35 | 24 | More middle schools: Montpellier+11 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Montpellier+10 | 34 | 24 | More high schools: Montpellier+10 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Montpellier+62 | 101 | 39 | More facilities: Montpellier+62 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Montpellier | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Étienne+29% | 7.7 | 9.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+29% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Montpellier+51% | 23.1 | 15.3 | Higher rate: Montpellier+51% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Montpellier+16% | 5.0 | 4.3 | Higher rate: Montpellier+16% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+4% | 2.7 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+4% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+6% | 14.3 | 15.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+6% |
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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Montpellier+4.1 °C | 15.5°C | 11.4°C | Warmer: Montpellier+4.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Montpellier+34% | 2,705 | 2,018 | Sunnier: Montpellier+34% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Étienne+24% | 639 | 794 | Wetter: Saint-Étienne+24% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Étienne+47 days/year | 58 | 105 | More rainy days: Saint-Étienne+47 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Étienne+38 days/year | 21 | 60 | More frost days: Saint-Étienne+38 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Montpellier+14 days/year | 34 | 20 | More hot days: Montpellier+14 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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Montpellier+15 | 36 | 21 | More declarations: Montpellier+15 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 2 | 2 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Low | Significant |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Montpellier | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Étienne+41% | 56.9 | 80.0 | Larger: Saint-Étienne+41% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Étienne+496 m | 19 m | 515 m | Higher: Saint-Étienne+496 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Hérault (34) | Loire (42) | |
| Intercommunality | Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole | Saint-Etienne Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Montpellier | Saint-Étienne | |
| Functional area | Montpellier | Saint-Étienne |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Montpellier vs Saint-Étienne at a glance
| Criterion | Montpellier | Saint-Étienne |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 313,712 | 174,698 |
| Change over 10 years | +14.0% | +0.6% |
| Density per km² | 5,515 | 2,185 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,351 | 1,219 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,966 | 2,172 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 15.5 | 9.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 54.28% | 48.28% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 21,440 | 20,880 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 18.3% | 19.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 91% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.0 | 3.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 7.7 | 9.9 |
| Average temperature | 15.5°C | 11.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,705 | 2,018 |
| Area km² | 56.9 | 80.0 |
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FAQ
Montpellier vs Saint-Étienne: your questions
Which is the larger city, Montpellier or Saint-Étienne?
By population, Montpellier: 313,712 inhabitants versus 174,698 for Saint-Étienne (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Montpellier is the 7th largest city in France, Saint-Étienne the 14th. By area, Saint-Étienne is the larger (80.0 km²).
How far is Montpellier from Saint-Étienne?
Montpellier and Saint-Étienne are 205 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Montpellier or Saint-Étienne?
To buy an apartment, Montpellier is more expensive: €3,351 per m² (median price), versus €1,219 in Saint-Étienne (+175%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Montpellier or Saint-Étienne?
In Montpellier, half of the residents have a standard of living above €21,440 a year, versus €20,880 in Saint-Étienne (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Montpellier or Saint-Étienne?
Montpellier: 2,705 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