2026 comparison
Nîmes vs Saint-Denis (974): 2026 comparison
Saint-Denis has more inhabitants than Nîmes: 157,142 versus 154,017, or 2.0% more. Nîmes covers a larger area (162 km² versus 143 km²), but Saint-Denis is more densely populated: 1,101 inhabitants per km² versus 952.
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Denis: €2,500 per m² versus €2,120. The median standard of living is higher in Nîmes (€20,830 a year versus €20,240).
The two cities are 8,884 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 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
NîmesSaint-Denis
| Criterion | Nîmes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Denis+2% | 154,017 | 157,142 | More populous: Saint-Denis+2% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+1.9 pt | +1.5% | +3.4% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+1.9 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+8.4 pts | +0.8% | +9.3% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+8.4 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Denis+16% | 952 | 1,101 | Denser: Saint-Denis+16% |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Denis+3.9 pts | 16.7% | 20.6% | More young people: Saint-Denis+3.9 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Nîmes+6.8 pts | 21.3% | 14.5% | More seniors: Nîmes+6.8 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Denis+0.24 | 1.99 | 2.23 | Larger households: Saint-Denis+0.24 |
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+18% | 2,120 | 2,500 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+18% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Denis+12% | 2,852 | 3,183 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+12% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Denis+3% | 14.6 | 15.1 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+3% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Denis+23% | 12.1 | 14.9 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+23% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Nîmes+8.3 pts | 39.8% | 31.5% | More homeowners: Nîmes+8.3 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Denis+5.1 pts | 28.9% | 34.0% | More houses: Saint-Denis+5.1 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Denis+14 pts | 24.9% | 38.9% | More social housing: Saint-Denis+14 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Nîmes+3.8 pts | 5.6% | 1.8% | More second homes: Nîmes+3.8 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Nîmes+2.3 pts | 11.1% | 8.8% | More vacant homes: Nîmes+2.3 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Nîmes+15 pts | 54.00% | 38.97% | Higher rate: Nîmes+15 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+3% | 20,830 | 20,240 | Higher: Nîmes+3% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Denis+2.6 pts | 32.4% | 35.0% | Higher: Saint-Denis+2.6 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Nîmes+1% | €25,247 | €24,973 | Higher: Nîmes+1% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Nîmes+8.4 pts | 37% | 29% | More taxpaying households: Nîmes+8.4 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Denis+2.9 pts | 67.0% | 69.9% | Higher: Saint-Denis+2.9 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Denis+7.3 pts | 18.0% | 25.4% | Higher: Saint-Denis+7.3 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Nîmes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Vincent Bouget | Ericka Bareigts | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | union of the left | union of the left | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Denis+3.9 pts | 93% | 97% | Better covered: Saint-Denis+3.9 pts |
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+29% | 84.01,293 in total | 65.21,025 in total | More shops per capita: Nîmes+29% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+37% | 29.1448 in total | 21.3334 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+37% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+0.7% | 47.0724 in total | 47.3744 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+0.7% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+2% | 18.3282 in total | 18.7294 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+2% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+11% | 1.624 in total | 1.422 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+11% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes3.0 times as high | 2.335 in total | 0.812 in total | More per capita: Nîmes3.0 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Nîmes+2 | 2 | 0 | More stations: Nîmes+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+25% | 3.9 | 4.8 | Better access: Saint-Denis+25% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+3% | 10.3159 in total | 10.0157 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+3% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+92% | 26.8412 in total | 13.9219 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+92% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+38% | 9.4145 in total | 6.8107 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+38% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Nîmes+22% | 3.554 in total | 2.945 in total | More per capita: Nîmes+22% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Nîmes+4 | 14 | 10 | More facilities: Nîmes+4 |
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+11 | 96 | 85 | More schools: Nîmes+11 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Nîmes+4 | 24 | 20 | More middle schools: Nîmes+4 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Nîmes+6 | 20 | 14 | More high schools: Nîmes+6 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Nîmes+6 | 32 | 26 | More facilities: Nîmes+6 |
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: Nîmes3.9 times as high | 8.1 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Nîmes3.9 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nîmes3.0 times as high | 14.0 | 4.7 | Higher rate: Nîmes3.0 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nîmes+10% | 4.9 | 4.5 | Higher rate: Nîmes+10% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nîmes2.7 times as high | 2.7 | 1.0 | Higher rate: Nîmes2.7 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Nîmes+26% | 9.1 | 7.2 | Higher rate: Nîmes+26% |
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: Saint-Denis+8.9 °C | 15.6°C | 24.5°C | Warmer: Saint-Denis+8.9 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Nîmes+4% | 2,680 | 2,567 | Sunnier: Nîmes+4% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Denis2.1 times as high | 734 | 1,530 | Wetter: Saint-Denis2.1 times as high |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Denis+52 days/year | 65 | 117 | More rainy days: Saint-Denis+52 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Nîmes+20 days/year | 20 | 0 | More frost days: Nîmes+20 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Denis+16 days/year | 59 | 75 | More hot days: Saint-Denis+16 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 plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Nîmes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Nîmes+13% | 162 | 143 | Larger: Nîmes+13% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Nîmes+29 m | 44 m | 15 m | Higher: Nîmes+29 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Gard (30) | Réunion (974) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération de Nîmes Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération Intercommunale du Nord de la Réunion (CINOR) | |
| Urban unit | Nîmes | Saint-Denis | |
| Functional area | Nîmes | Saint-Denis |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Nîmes vs Saint-Denis (974) at a glance
| Criterion | Nîmes | Saint-Denis |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 154,017 | 157,142 |
| Change over 10 years | +0.8% | +9.3% |
| Density per km² | 952 | 1,101 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,120 | 2,500 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,852 | 3,183 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 14.6 | 15.1 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 54.00% | 38.97% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 20,830 | 20,240 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 18.0% | 25.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 93% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.9 | 4.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 8.1 | 2.1 |
| Average temperature | 15.6°C | 24.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,680 | 2,567 |
| Area km² | 162 | 143 |
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FAQ
Nîmes vs Saint-Denis (974): your questions
Which is the larger city, Nîmes or Saint-Denis?
By population, Saint-Denis: 157,142 inhabitants versus 154,017 for Nîmes (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Denis is the 20th largest city in France, Nîmes the 21st. By area, Nîmes is the larger (162 km²).
How far is Nîmes from Saint-Denis?
Nîmes and Saint-Denis are 8,884 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: €2,500 per m² (median price), versus €2,120 in Nîmes (+18%). 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 €20,240 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 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