2026 comparison
Nantes vs Saint-Nazaire (44): 2026 comparison
Nantes has more inhabitants than Saint-Nazaire: 332,515 versus 76,243, or 4.4 times as many. Nantes is both larger (65.2 km² versus 46.8 km²) and more densely populated (5,101 inhabitants per km² versus 1,629).
The median apartment price is higher in Nantes: €3,621 per m² versus €2,917. The median standard of living is higher in Nantes (€26,720 a year versus €24,750).
The two cities are 51 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
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-Nazaire
City in Loire-Atlantique
FLoire-Atlantique44Pays de la Loire
- Population
- 76,243 inhab.
- 69th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 46.8 km²
- Density
- 1,629 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
NantesSaint-Nazaire
| Criterion | Nantes | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Nantes4.4 times as high | 332,515 | 76,243 | More populous: Nantes4.4 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Nazaire+1.3 pt | +4.3% | +5.6% | Stronger growth: Saint-Nazaire+1.3 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Nantes+3.1 pts | +12.0% | +8.8% | Stronger growth: Nantes+3.1 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Nantes3.1 times as high | 5,101 | 1,629 | Denser: Nantes3.1 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Nazaire+0.4 pt | 15.5% | 15.9% | More young people: Saint-Nazaire+0.4 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Nazaire+10 pts | 14.3% | 24.6% | More seniors: Saint-Nazaire+10 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Nazaire+0.07 | 1.83 | 1.90 | Larger households: Saint-Nazaire+0.07 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Nantes | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Nantes+24% | 3,621 | 2,917 | More expensive: Nantes+24% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Nantes+49% | 4,398 | 2,955 | More expensive: Nantes+49% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Nantes+14% | 14.5 | 12.8 | More expensive: Nantes+14% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Nantes+16% | 14.4 | 12.4 | More expensive: Nantes+16% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Nazaire+11 pts | 36.4% | 47.8% | More homeowners: Saint-Nazaire+11 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Nazaire+20 pts | 18.2% | 37.9% | More houses: Saint-Nazaire+20 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Nantes+0.5 pt | 29.4% | 28.9% | More social housing: Nantes+0.5 pt |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Nazaire+1.6 pt | 4.9% | 6.5% | More second homes: Saint-Nazaire+1.6 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Nazaire+1.1 pt | 6.1% | 7.1% | More vacant homes: Saint-Nazaire+1.1 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Nantes+14 pts | 53.37% | 39.08% | Higher rate: Nantes+14 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-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Nantes+8% | 26,720 | 24,750 | Higher: Nantes+8% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Nantes+1.1 pt | 19.1% | 18.0% | Higher: Nantes+1.1 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Nantes+16% | €32,578 | €28,112 | Higher: Nantes+16% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Nantes+2.7 pts | 50% | 47% | More taxpaying households: Nantes+2.7 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Nantes+0.4 pt | 74.8% | 74.4% | Higher: Nantes+0.4 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Nantes+0.1 pt | 13.1% | 13.0% | Higher: Nantes+0.1 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Nantes | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Johanna Rolland | David Samzun | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous left | miscellaneous left | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Nazaire+0.9 pt | 95% | 96% | Better covered: Saint-Nazaire+0.9 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-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Nantes+2% | 51.21,701 in total | 50.0381 in total | More shops per capita: Nantes+2% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nantes+12% | 17.3574 in total | 15.5118 in total | More per capita: Nantes+12% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nantes+23% | 35.81,190 in total | 29.0221 in total | More per capita: Nantes+23% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+13% | 14.8492 in total | 16.7127 in total | More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+13% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Nazaire2.2 times as high | 0.930 in total | 2.015 in total | More per capita: Saint-Nazaire2.2 times as high |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nantes+8% | 1.652 in total | 1.411 in total | More per capita: Nantes+8% |
| Passenger train stationsTie | 3 | 3 | Tie |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Nantes | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Nantes+27% | 4.7 | 3.7 | Better access: Nantes+27% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+1% | 11.5384 in total | 11.789 in total | More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+1% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nantes+10% | 25.5849 in total | 23.2177 in total | More per capita: Nantes+10% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nantes+38% | 6.5216 in total | 4.736 in total | More per capita: Nantes+38% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+29% | 2.481 in total | 3.124 in total | More per capita: Saint-Nazaire+29% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Nantes+20 | 33 | 13 | More facilities: Nantes+20 |
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-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Nantes+114 | 147 | 33 | More schools: Nantes+114 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Nantes+27 | 37 | 10 | More middle schools: Nantes+27 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Nantes+27 | 39 | 12 | More high schools: Nantes+27 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Nantes+90 | 102 | 12 | More facilities: Nantes+90 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Nantes | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Nazaire+9% | 6.3 | 6.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire+9% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nantes+9% | 17.5 | 16.0 | Higher rate: Nantes+9% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nantes+18% | 4.4 | 3.8 | Higher rate: Nantes+18% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nantes+41% | 2.8 | 2.0 | Higher rate: Nantes+41% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire+51% | 8.8 | 13.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Nazaire+51% |
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-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Nantes+0.1 °C | 12.7°C | 12.6°C | Warmer: Nantes+0.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Saint-Nazaire+1% | 1,873 | 1,893 | Sunnier: Saint-Nazaire+1% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Nantes+3% | 820 | 792 | Wetter: Nantes+3% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Nantes+4 days/year | 120 | 116 | More rainy days: Nantes+4 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Nantes+2 days/year | 29 | 27 | More frost days: Nantes+2 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Nantes+3 days/year | 12 | 9 | More hot days: Nantes+3 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-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Nantes+6 | 16 | 10 | More declarations: Nantes+6 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Nantes+1 | 2 | 1 | More plans: Nantes+1 |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Nantes | Saint-Nazaire | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Nantes+39% | 65.2 | 46.8 | Larger: Nantes+39% |
| Town hall elevationTie | 12 m | 12 m | Tie |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Loire-Atlantique (44) | Loire-Atlantique (44) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Nantes Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération de la Région Nazairienne et de l'Estuaire (CARENE) | |
| Urban unit | Nantes | Saint-Nazaire | |
| Functional area | Nantes | Saint-Nazaire |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Nantes vs Saint-Nazaire (44) at a glance
| Criterion | Nantes | Saint-Nazaire |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 332,515 | 76,243 |
| Change over 10 years | +12.0% | +8.8% |
| Density per km² | 5,101 | 1,629 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,621 | 2,917 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,398 | 2,955 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 14.5 | 12.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 53.37% | 39.08% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 26,720 | 24,750 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 13.1% | 13.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.7 | 3.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.3 | 6.9 |
| Average temperature | 12.7°C | 12.6°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,873 | 1,893 |
| Area km² | 65.2 | 46.8 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
Nantes vs Saint-Nazaire (44): your questions
Which is the larger city, Nantes or Saint-Nazaire?
By population, Nantes: 332,515 inhabitants versus 76,243 for Saint-Nazaire (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Nantes is the 6th largest city in France, Saint-Nazaire the 69th. By area, Nantes is also the larger (65.2 km²).
How far is Nantes from Saint-Nazaire?
Nantes and Saint-Nazaire are 51 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Loire-Atlantique).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Nantes or Saint-Nazaire?
To buy an apartment, Nantes is more expensive: €3,621 per m² (median price), versus €2,917 in Saint-Nazaire (+24%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Nantes or Saint-Nazaire?
In Nantes, half of the residents have a standard of living above €26,720 a year, versus €24,750 in Saint-Nazaire (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Nantes or Saint-Nazaire?
Saint-Nazaire: 1,893 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