2026 comparison
Nice vs Saint-Denis (974): 2026 comparison
Nice has more inhabitants than Saint-Denis: 360,710 versus 157,142, or 2.3 times as many. Saint-Denis covers a larger area (143 km² versus 71.9 km²), but Nice is more densely populated: 5,015 inhabitants per km² versus 1,101.
The median apartment price is higher in Nice: €4,638 per m² versus €2,500. The median standard of living is higher in Nice (€24,080 a year versus €20,240).
The two cities are 8,704 km apart as the crow flies.
Nice
City in Alpes-Maritimes
FAlpes-Maritimes06Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Population
- 360,710 inhab.
- 5th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 71.9 km²
- Density
- 5,015 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
NiceSaint-Denis
| Criterion | Nice | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Nice2.3 times as high | 360,710 | 157,142 | More populous: Nice2.3 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Nice+1.5 pt | +4.9% | +3.4% | Stronger growth: Nice+1.5 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+4.8 pts | +4.5% | +9.3% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+4.8 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Nice4.6 times as high | 5,015 | 1,101 | Denser: Nice4.6 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Denis+5.2 pts | 15.4% | 20.6% | More young people: Saint-Denis+5.2 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Nice+8.8 pts | 23.4% | 14.5% | More seniors: Nice+8.8 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Denis+0.26 | 1.97 | 2.23 | Larger households: Saint-Denis+0.26 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Nice | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Nice+86% | 4,638 | 2,500 | More expensive: Nice+86% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Nice+96% | 6,239 | 3,183 | More expensive: Nice+96% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Nice+35% | 20.4 | 15.1 | More expensive: Nice+35% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Nice+45% | 21.6 | 14.9 | More expensive: Nice+45% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Nice+16 pts | 47.2% | 31.5% | More homeowners: Nice+16 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Denis+27 pts | 6.6% | 34.0% | More houses: Saint-Denis+27 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Denis+24 pts | 14.7% | 38.9% | More social housing: Saint-Denis+24 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Nice+12 pts | 13.8% | 1.8% | More second homes: Nice+12 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Nice+3.7 pts | 12.4% | 8.8% | More vacant homes: Nice+3.7 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Nice+3.5 pts | 42.43% | 38.97% | Higher rate: Nice+3.5 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 | Nice | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Nice+19% | 24,080 | 20,240 | Higher: Nice+19% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Denis+12 pts | 23.4% | 35.0% | Higher: Saint-Denis+12 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Nice+25% | €31,302 | €24,973 | Higher: Nice+25% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Nice+18 pts | 46% | 29% | More taxpaying households: Nice+18 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Nice+2.9 pts | 72.8% | 69.9% | Higher: Nice+2.9 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Denis+13 pts | 12.8% | 25.4% | Higher: Saint-Denis+13 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Nice | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Eric Ciotti | Ericka Bareigts | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the far right | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberTie | 97% | 97% | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Nice | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Nice+31% | 85.53,083 in total | 65.21,025 in total | More shops per capita: Nice+31% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nice+39% | 29.51,064 in total | 21.3334 in total | More per capita: Nice+39% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nice+38% | 65.22,351 in total | 47.3744 in total | More per capita: Nice+38% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis2.7 times as high | 6.9250 in total | 18.7294 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis2.7 times as high |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+15% | 1.244 in total | 1.422 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+15% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nice5.9 times as high | 4.5162 in total | 0.812 in total | More per capita: Nice5.9 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Nice+14 | 14 | 0 | More stations: Nice+14 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Nice | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Nice+0.4% | 4.9 | 4.8 | Better access: Nice+0.4% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nice+50% | 15.0540 in total | 10.0157 in total | More per capita: Nice+50% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nice2.2 times as high | 31.11,123 in total | 13.9219 in total | More per capita: Nice2.2 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nice+82% | 12.4447 in total | 6.8107 in total | More per capita: Nice+82% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nice+47% | 4.2152 in total | 2.945 in total | More per capita: Nice+47% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Nice+16 | 26 | 10 | More facilities: Nice+16 |
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 | Nice | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Nice+94 | 179 | 85 | More schools: Nice+94 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Nice+18 | 38 | 20 | More middle schools: Nice+18 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Nice+24 | 38 | 14 | More high schools: Nice+24 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Nice+75 | 101 | 26 | More facilities: Nice+75 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Nice | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Nice2.9 times as high | 6.1 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Nice2.9 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nice3.4 times as high | 16.0 | 4.7 | Higher rate: Nice3.4 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nice+10% | 4.9 | 4.5 | Higher rate: Nice+10% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nice2.5 times as high | 2.5 | 1.0 | Higher rate: Nice2.5 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nice+31% | 9.5 | 7.2 | Higher rate: Nice+31% |
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 | Nice | 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: Nice+8% | 2,761 | 2,567 | Sunnier: Nice+8% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Denis+94% | 790 | 1,530 | Wetter: Saint-Denis+94% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Denis+55 days/year | 62 | 117 | More rainy days: Saint-Denis+55 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Nice+3 days/year | 3 | 0 | More frost days: Nice+3 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Denis+64 days/year | 11 | 75 | More hot days: Saint-Denis+64 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 | Nice | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Nice+62 | 83 | 21 | More declarations: Nice+62 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Nice+5 | 6 | 1 | More plans: Nice+5 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Nice | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Denis+99% | 71.9 | 143 | Larger: Saint-Denis+99% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Denis+10 m | 6 m | 15 m | Higher: Saint-Denis+10 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Alpes-Maritimes (06) | Réunion (974) | |
| Intercommunality | Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur | Communauté d'agglomération Intercommunale du Nord de la Réunion (CINOR) | |
| Urban unit | Nice | Saint-Denis | |
| Functional area | Nice | Saint-Denis |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Nice vs Saint-Denis (974) at a glance
| Criterion | Nice | Saint-Denis |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 360,710 | 157,142 |
| Change over 10 years | +4.5% | +9.3% |
| Density per km² | 5,015 | 1,101 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,638 | 2,500 |
| Median house price €/m² | 6,239 | 3,183 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 20.4 | 15.1 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 42.43% | 38.97% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,080 | 20,240 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 12.8% | 25.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.9 | 4.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.1 | 2.1 |
| Average temperature | 15.5°C | 24.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,761 | 2,567 |
| Area km² | 71.9 | 143 |
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FAQ
Nice vs Saint-Denis (974): your questions
Which is the larger city, Nice or Saint-Denis?
By population, Nice: 360,710 inhabitants versus 157,142 for Saint-Denis (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Nice is the 5th largest city in France, Saint-Denis the 20th. By area, Saint-Denis is the larger (143 km²).
How far is Nice from Saint-Denis?
Nice and Saint-Denis are 8,704 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Nice or Saint-Denis?
To buy an apartment, Nice is more expensive: €4,638 per m² (median price), versus €2,500 in Saint-Denis (+86%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Nice or Saint-Denis?
In Nice, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,080 a year, versus €20,240 in Saint-Denis (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Nice or Saint-Denis?
Nice: 2,761 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