2026 comparison
Nice vs Saint-Étienne: 2026 comparison
Nice has more inhabitants than Saint-Étienne: 360,710 versus 174,698, or 2.1 times as many. Saint-Étienne covers a larger area (80.0 km² versus 71.9 km²), but Nice is more densely populated: 5,015 inhabitants per km² versus 2,185.
The median apartment price is higher in Nice: €4,638 per m² versus €1,219. The median standard of living is higher in Nice (€24,080 a year versus €20,880).
The two cities are 298 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-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
NiceSaint-Étienne
| Criterion | Nice | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Nice2.1 times as high | 360,710 | 174,698 | More populous: Nice2.1 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Nice+4.9 pts | +4.9% | +0.0% | Stronger growth: Nice+4.9 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Nice+3.9 pts | +4.5% | +0.6% | Stronger growth: Nice+3.9 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Nice2.3 times as high | 5,015 | 2,185 | Denser: Nice2.3 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Étienne+1.7 pt | 15.4% | 17.0% | More young people: Saint-Étienne+1.7 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Nice+2.9 pts | 23.4% | 20.5% | More seniors: Nice+2.9 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Nice+0.02 | 1.97 | 1.95 | Larger households: Nice+0.02 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Nice | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Nice3.8 times as high | 4,638 | 1,219 | More expensive: Nice3.8 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Nice2.9 times as high | 6,239 | 2,172 | More expensive: Nice2.9 times as high |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Nice2.1 times as high | 20.4 | 9.9 | More expensive: Nice2.1 times as high |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Nice2.4 times as high | 21.6 | 9.1 | More expensive: Nice2.4 times as high |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Nice+8.3 pts | 47.2% | 38.9% | More homeowners: Nice+8.3 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Étienne+4.1 pts | 6.6% | 10.7% | More houses: Saint-Étienne+4.1 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Étienne+17 pts | 14.7% | 31.9% | More social housing: Saint-Étienne+17 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Nice+11 pts | 13.8% | 2.4% | More second homes: Nice+11 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Nice+0.4 pt | 12.4% | 12.0% | More vacant homes: Nice+0.4 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+5.9 pts | 42.43% | 48.28% | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+5.9 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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Nice+15% | 24,080 | 20,880 | Higher: Nice+15% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Étienne+7.0 pts | 23.4% | 30.4% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+7.0 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Nice+33% | €31,302 | €23,469 | Higher: Nice+33% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Nice+9.3 pts | 46% | 37% | More taxpaying households: Nice+9.3 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Nice+4.4 pts | 72.8% | 68.3% | Higher: Nice+4.4 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Étienne+6.2 pts | 12.8% | 19.0% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+6.2 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Nice | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Eric Ciotti | Régis Juanico | |
| 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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Nice+33% | 85.53,083 in total | 64.31,123 in total | More shops per capita: Nice+33% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nice+35% | 29.51,064 in total | 21.9383 in total | More per capita: Nice+35% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nice+74% | 65.22,351 in total | 37.4653 in total | More per capita: Nice+74% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne2.1 times as high | 6.9250 in total | 14.3250 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne2.1 times as high |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+17% | 1.244 in total | 1.425 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+17% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nice3.9 times as high | 4.5162 in total | 1.120 in total | More per capita: Nice3.9 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Nice+9 | 14 | 5 | More stations: Nice+9 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Nice | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Nice+27% | 4.9 | 3.8 | Better access: Nice+27% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nice+62% | 15.0540 in total | 9.2161 in total | More per capita: Nice+62% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nice+98% | 31.11,123 in total | 15.7275 in total | More per capita: Nice+98% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nice3.0 times as high | 12.4447 in total | 4.172 in total | More per capita: Nice3.0 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nice+47% | 4.2152 in total | 2.950 in total | More per capita: Nice+47% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Nice+17 | 26 | 9 | More facilities: Nice+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 | Nice | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Nice+89 | 179 | 90 | More schools: Nice+89 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Nice+14 | 38 | 24 | More middle schools: Nice+14 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Nice+14 | 38 | 24 | More high schools: Nice+14 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Nice+62 | 101 | 39 | More facilities: Nice+62 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Nice | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Étienne+63% | 6.1 | 9.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+63% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nice+5% | 16.0 | 15.3 | Higher rate: Nice+5% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nice+14% | 4.9 | 4.3 | Higher rate: Nice+14% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+10% | 2.5 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+10% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+60% | 9.5 | 15.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+60% |
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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Nice+4.1 °C | 15.5°C | 11.4°C | Warmer: Nice+4.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Nice+37% | 2,761 | 2,018 | Sunnier: Nice+37% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Étienne+0.5% | 790 | 794 | Wetter: Saint-Étienne+0.5% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Étienne+43 days/year | 62 | 105 | More rainy days: Saint-Étienne+43 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Étienne+57 days/year | 3 | 60 | More frost days: Saint-Étienne+57 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Étienne+10 days/year | 11 | 20 | More hot days: Saint-Étienne+10 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-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Nice+62 | 83 | 21 | More declarations: Nice+62 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Nice+4 | 6 | 2 | More plans: Nice+4 |
| Radon potential | Low | Significant |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Nice | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Étienne+11% | 71.9 | 80.0 | Larger: Saint-Étienne+11% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Étienne+509 m | 6 m | 515 m | Higher: Saint-Étienne+509 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Alpes-Maritimes (06) | Loire (42) | |
| Intercommunality | Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur | Saint-Etienne Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Nice | Saint-Étienne | |
| Functional area | Nice | Saint-Étienne |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Nice vs Saint-Étienne at a glance
| Criterion | Nice | Saint-Étienne |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 360,710 | 174,698 |
| Change over 10 years | +4.5% | +0.6% |
| Density per km² | 5,015 | 2,185 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,638 | 1,219 |
| Median house price €/m² | 6,239 | 2,172 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 20.4 | 9.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 42.43% | 48.28% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 24,080 | 20,880 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 12.8% | 19.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.9 | 3.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.1 | 9.9 |
| Average temperature | 15.5°C | 11.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,761 | 2,018 |
| Area km² | 71.9 | 80.0 |
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FAQ
Nice vs Saint-Étienne: your questions
Which is the larger city, Nice or Saint-Étienne?
By population, Nice: 360,710 inhabitants versus 174,698 for Saint-Étienne (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Nice is the 5th largest city in France, Saint-Étienne the 14th. By area, Saint-Étienne is the larger (80.0 km²).
How far is Nice from Saint-Étienne?
Nice and Saint-Étienne are 298 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Nice or Saint-Étienne?
To buy an apartment, Nice is more expensive: €4,638 per m² (median price), versus €1,219 in Saint-Étienne (+280%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Nice or Saint-Étienne?
In Nice, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,080 a year, versus €20,880 in Saint-Étienne (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Nice or Saint-Étienne?
Nice: 2,761 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