2026 comparison
Nantes vs Saint-Étienne: 2026 comparison
Nantes has more inhabitants than Saint-Étienne: 332,515 versus 174,698, or 90% more. Saint-Étienne covers a larger area (80.0 km² versus 65.2 km²), but Nantes is more densely populated: 5,101 inhabitants per km² versus 2,185.
The median apartment price is higher in Nantes: €3,621 per m² versus €1,219. The median standard of living is higher in Nantes (€26,720 a year versus €20,880).
The two cities are 498 km apart as the crow flies.
Nantes
City in Loire-Atlantique
FLoire-Atlantique44Pays de la Loire
- Population
- 332,515 inhab.
- 6th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 65.2 km²
- Density
- 5,101 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
NantesSaint-Étienne
| Criterion | Nantes | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Nantes+90% | 332,515 | 174,698 | More populous: Nantes+90% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Nantes+4.3 pts | +4.3% | +0.0% | Stronger growth: Nantes+4.3 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Nantes+11 pts | +12.0% | +0.6% | Stronger growth: Nantes+11 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Nantes2.3 times as high | 5,101 | 2,185 | Denser: Nantes2.3 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Étienne+1.5 pt | 15.5% | 17.0% | More young people: Saint-Étienne+1.5 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Étienne+6.2 pts | 14.3% | 20.5% | More seniors: Saint-Étienne+6.2 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 | Nantes | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Nantes3.0 times as high | 3,621 | 1,219 | More expensive: Nantes3.0 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Nantes2.0 times as high | 4,398 | 2,172 | More expensive: Nantes2.0 times as high |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Nantes+47% | 14.5 | 9.9 | More expensive: Nantes+47% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Nantes+58% | 14.4 | 9.1 | More expensive: Nantes+58% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Étienne+2.5 pts | 36.4% | 38.9% | More homeowners: Saint-Étienne+2.5 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Nantes+7.5 pts | 18.2% | 10.7% | More houses: Nantes+7.5 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Étienne+2.5 pts | 29.4% | 31.9% | More social housing: Saint-Étienne+2.5 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Nantes+2.6 pts | 4.9% | 2.4% | More second homes: Nantes+2.6 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+6.0 pts | 6.1% | 12.0% | More vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+6.0 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Nantes+5.1 pts | 53.37% | 48.28% | Higher rate: Nantes+5.1 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 | Nantes | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Nantes+28% | 26,720 | 20,880 | Higher: Nantes+28% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Étienne+11 pts | 19.1% | 30.4% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+11 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Nantes+39% | €32,578 | €23,469 | Higher: Nantes+39% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Nantes+13 pts | 50% | 37% | More taxpaying households: Nantes+13 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Nantes+6.5 pts | 74.8% | 68.3% | Higher: Nantes+6.5 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Étienne+5.9 pts | 13.1% | 19.0% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+5.9 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Nantes | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Johanna Rolland | Régis Juanico | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous left | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Étienne+1.2 pt | 95% | 97% | Better covered: Saint-Étienne+1.2 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Nantes | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Étienne+26% | 51.21,701 in total | 64.31,123 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Étienne+26% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+27% | 17.3574 in total | 21.9383 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+27% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+4% | 35.81,190 in total | 37.4653 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+4% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nantes+3% | 14.8492 in total | 14.3250 in total | More per capita: Nantes+3% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+59% | 0.930 in total | 1.425 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+59% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nantes+37% | 1.652 in total | 1.120 in total | More per capita: Nantes+37% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Saint-Étienne+2 | 3 | 5 | More stations: Saint-Étienne+2 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Nantes | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Nantes+23% | 4.7 | 3.8 | Better access: Nantes+23% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nantes+25% | 11.5384 in total | 9.2161 in total | More per capita: Nantes+25% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nantes+62% | 25.5849 in total | 15.7275 in total | More per capita: Nantes+62% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nantes+58% | 6.5216 in total | 4.172 in total | More per capita: Nantes+58% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+17% | 2.481 in total | 2.950 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+17% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Nantes+24 | 33 | 9 | More facilities: Nantes+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 | Nantes | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Nantes+57 | 147 | 90 | More schools: Nantes+57 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Nantes+13 | 37 | 24 | More middle schools: Nantes+13 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Nantes+15 | 39 | 24 | More high schools: Nantes+15 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Nantes+63 | 102 | 39 | More facilities: Nantes+63 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Nantes | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Étienne+57% | 6.3 | 9.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+57% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nantes+15% | 17.5 | 15.3 | Higher rate: Nantes+15% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nantes+3% | 4.4 | 4.3 | Higher rate: Nantes+3% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Tie | 2.8 | 2.8 | Tie |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+72% | 8.8 | 15.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+72% |
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 | Nantes | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Nantes+1.3 °C | 12.7°C | 11.4°C | Warmer: Nantes+1.3 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Saint-Étienne+8% | 1,873 | 2,018 | Sunnier: Saint-Étienne+8% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Nantes+3% | 820 | 794 | Wetter: Nantes+3% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Nantes+15 days/year | 120 | 105 | More rainy days: Nantes+15 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Étienne+31 days/year | 29 | 60 | More frost days: Saint-Étienne+31 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Étienne+9 days/year | 12 | 20 | More hot days: Saint-Étienne+9 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 | Nantes | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Étienne+5 | 16 | 21 | More declarations: Saint-Étienne+5 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 2 | 2 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Significant | Significant | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Nantes | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Étienne+23% | 65.2 | 80.0 | Larger: Saint-Étienne+23% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Étienne+503 m | 12 m | 515 m | Higher: Saint-Étienne+503 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Loire-Atlantique (44) | Loire (42) | |
| Intercommunality | Nantes Métropole | Saint-Etienne Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Nantes | Saint-Étienne | |
| Functional area | Nantes | Saint-Étienne |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Nantes vs Saint-Étienne at a glance
| Criterion | Nantes | Saint-Étienne |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 332,515 | 174,698 |
| Change over 10 years | +12.0% | +0.6% |
| Density per km² | 5,101 | 2,185 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,621 | 1,219 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,398 | 2,172 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 14.5 | 9.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 53.37% | 48.28% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 26,720 | 20,880 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 13.1% | 19.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.7 | 3.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.3 | 9.9 |
| Average temperature | 12.7°C | 11.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,873 | 2,018 |
| Area km² | 65.2 | 80.0 |
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FAQ
Nantes vs Saint-Étienne: your questions
Which is the larger city, Nantes or Saint-Étienne?
By population, Nantes: 332,515 inhabitants versus 174,698 for Saint-Étienne (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Nantes is the 6th largest city in France, Saint-Étienne the 14th. By area, Saint-Étienne is the larger (80.0 km²).
How far is Nantes from Saint-Étienne?
Nantes and Saint-Étienne are 498 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Nantes or Saint-Étienne?
To buy an apartment, Nantes is more expensive: €3,621 per m² (median price), versus €1,219 in Saint-Étienne (+197%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Nantes or Saint-Étienne?
In Nantes, half of the residents have a standard of living above €26,720 a year, versus €20,880 in Saint-Étienne (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Nantes or Saint-Étienne?
Saint-Étienne: 2,018 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,873 in Nantes (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