2026 comparison
Nîmes vs Saint-Denis (93): 2026 comparison
Nîmes has more inhabitants than Saint-Denis: 154,017 versus 149,936, or 2.7% more. Nîmes covers a larger area (162 km² versus 15.8 km²), but Saint-Denis is more densely populated: 9,508 inhabitants per km² versus 952.
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Denis: €3,942 per m² versus €2,120. The median standard of living is higher in Nîmes (€20,830 a year versus €18,130).
The two cities are 588 km apart as the crow flies.
Nîmes
City in Gard
- Population
- 154,017 inhab.
- 21st in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 162 km²
- Density
- 952 per km²
Saint-Denis
City in Seine-Saint-Denis
FSeine-Saint-Denis93Île-de-France
- Population
- 149,936 inhab.
- 23rd in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 15.8 km²
- Density
- 9,508 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
NîmesSaint-Denis
| Criterion | Nîmes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Nîmes+3% | 154,017 | 149,936 | More populous: Nîmes+3% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+2.8 pts | +1.5% | +4.3% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+2.8 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+7.3 pts | +0.8% | +8.2% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+7.3 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Denis10.0 times as high | 952 | 9,508 | Denser: Saint-Denis10.0 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Denis+4.7 pts | 16.7% | 21.4% | More young people: Saint-Denis+4.7 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Nîmes+11 pts | 21.3% | 10.7% | More seniors: Nîmes+11 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Denis+0.48 | 1.99 | 2.47 | Larger households: Saint-Denis+0.48 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Nîmes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Denis+86% | 2,120 | 3,942 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+86% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Denis+29% | 2,852 | 3,690 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+29% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Denis+43% | 14.6 | 21.0 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+43% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Denis+48% | 12.1 | 18.0 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+48% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Nîmes+17 pts | 39.8% | 22.8% | More homeowners: Nîmes+17 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Nîmes+18 pts | 28.9% | 10.9% | More houses: Nîmes+18 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Denis+29 pts | 24.9% | 53.9% | More social housing: Saint-Denis+29 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Nîmes+4.2 pts | 5.6% | 1.3% | More second homes: Nîmes+4.2 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Nîmes+3.9 pts | 11.1% | 7.2% | More vacant homes: Nîmes+3.9 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Nîmes+14 pts | 54.00% | 39.65% | Higher rate: Nîmes+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 | Nîmes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Nîmes+15% | 20,830 | 18,130 | Higher: Nîmes+15% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Denis+6.2 pts | 32.4% | 38.6% | Higher: Saint-Denis+6.2 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Nîmes+26% | €25,247 | €19,994 | Higher: Nîmes+26% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Nîmes+5.3 pts | 37% | 32% | More taxpaying households: Nîmes+5.3 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Denis+2.7 pts | 67.0% | 69.6% | Higher: Saint-Denis+2.7 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Denis+0.3 pt | 18.0% | 18.3% | Higher: Saint-Denis+0.3 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Nîmes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Vincent Bouget | Bally Bagayoko | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the left | La France insoumise | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Nîmes+1.3 pt | 93% | 92% | Better covered: Nîmes+1.3 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Nîmes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Nîmes+67% | 84.01,293 in total | 50.3754 in total | More shops per capita: Nîmes+67% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+19% | 29.1448 in total | 24.5368 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+19% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+18% | 47.0724 in total | 39.9598 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+18% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+61% | 18.3282 in total | 11.3170 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+61% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+17% | 1.624 in total | 1.320 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+17% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+55% | 2.335 in total | 1.522 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+55% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Saint-Denis+2 | 2 | 4 | More stations: Saint-Denis+2 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Nîmes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Denis+6% | 3.9 | 4.1 | Better access: Saint-Denis+6% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes2.5 times as high | 10.3159 in total | 4.162 in total | More per capita: Nîmes2.5 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes2.7 times as high | 26.8412 in total | 9.9149 in total | More per capita: Nîmes2.7 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes3.9 times as high | 9.4145 in total | 2.436 in total | More per capita: Nîmes3.9 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+55% | 3.554 in total | 2.334 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+55% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Nîmes+5 | 14 | 9 | More facilities: Nîmes+5 |
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 | Nîmes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Nîmes+10 | 96 | 86 | More schools: Nîmes+10 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Nîmes+5 | 24 | 19 | More middle schools: Nîmes+5 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Nîmes+6 | 20 | 14 | More high schools: Nîmes+6 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Nîmes+4 | 32 | 28 | More facilities: Nîmes+4 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Nîmes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Nîmes2.3 times as high | 8.1 | 3.5 | Higher rate: Nîmes2.3 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Denis+64% | 14.0 | 23.0 | Higher rate: Saint-Denis+64% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Denis+12% | 4.9 | 5.5 | Higher rate: Saint-Denis+12% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Denis+5% | 2.7 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Denis+5% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Denis+15% | 9.1 | 10.5 | Higher rate: Saint-Denis+15% |
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 | Nîmes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Nîmes+3.5 °C | 15.6°C | 12.1°C | Warmer: Nîmes+3.5 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Nîmes+64% | 2,680 | 1,634 | Sunnier: Nîmes+64% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Nîmes+19% | 734 | 616 | Wetter: Nîmes+19% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Denis+45 days/year | 65 | 110 | More rainy days: Saint-Denis+45 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Denis+17 days/year | 20 | 37 | More frost days: Saint-Denis+17 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Nîmes+46 days/year | 59 | 13 | More hot days: Nîmes+46 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 | Nîmes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Nîmes+10 | 31 | 21 | More declarations: Nîmes+10 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Denis+2 | 1 | 3 | More plans: Saint-Denis+2 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Nîmes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Nîmes10 times as high | 162 | 15.8 | Larger: Nîmes10 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Nîmes+13 m | 44 m | 31 m | Higher: Nîmes+13 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Gard (30) | Seine-Saint-Denis (93) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération de Nîmes Métropole | Métropole du Grand Paris | |
| Urban unit | Nîmes | Paris | |
| Functional area | Nîmes | Paris |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Nîmes vs Saint-Denis (93) at a glance
| Criterion | Nîmes | Saint-Denis |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 154,017 | 149,936 |
| Change over 10 years | +0.8% | +8.2% |
| Density per km² | 952 | 9,508 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,120 | 3,942 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,852 | 3,690 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 14.6 | 21.0 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 54.00% | 39.65% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 20,830 | 18,130 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 18.0% | 18.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 93% | 92% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.9 | 4.1 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 8.1 | 3.5 |
| Average temperature | 15.6°C | 12.1°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,680 | 1,634 |
| Area km² | 162 | 15.8 |
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FAQ
Nîmes vs Saint-Denis (93): your questions
Which is the larger city, Nîmes or Saint-Denis?
By population, Nîmes: 154,017 inhabitants versus 149,936 for Saint-Denis (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Nîmes is the 21st largest city in France, Saint-Denis the 23rd. By area, Nîmes is also the larger (162 km²).
How far is Nîmes from Saint-Denis?
Nîmes and Saint-Denis are 588 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Nîmes or Saint-Denis?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Denis is more expensive: €3,942 per m² (median price), versus €2,120 in Nîmes (+86%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Nîmes or Saint-Denis?
In Nîmes, half of the residents have a standard of living above €20,830 a year, versus €18,130 in Saint-Denis (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Nîmes or Saint-Denis?
Nîmes: 2,680 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,634 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