2026 comparison
Reims vs Saint-Étienne: 2026 comparison
Reims has more inhabitants than Saint-Étienne: 180,733 versus 174,698, or 3.5% more. Saint-Étienne covers a larger area (80.0 km² versus 46.9 km²), but Reims is more densely populated: 3,854 inhabitants per km² versus 2,185.
The median apartment price is higher in Reims: €2,753 per m² versus €1,219. The median standard of living is higher in Reims (€22,410 a year versus €20,880).
The two cities are 426 km apart as the crow flies.
Reims
City in Marne
- Population
- 180,733 inhab.
- 13th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 46.9 km²
- Density
- 3,854 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
ReimsSaint-Étienne
| Criterion | Reims | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Reims+3% | 180,733 | 174,698 | More populous: Reims+3% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Étienne+2.5 pts | −2.5% | +0.0% | Stronger growth: Saint-Étienne+2.5 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Étienne+3.3 pts | −2.7% | +0.6% | Stronger growth: Saint-Étienne+3.3 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Reims+76% | 3,854 | 2,185 | Denser: Reims+76% |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Étienne+1.3 pt | 15.7% | 17.0% | More young people: Saint-Étienne+1.3 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Étienne+3.2 pts | 17.4% | 20.5% | More seniors: Saint-Étienne+3.2 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Étienne+0.09 | 1.86 | 1.95 | Larger households: Saint-Étienne+0.09 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Reims | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Reims2.3 times as high | 2,753 | 1,219 | More expensive: Reims2.3 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Reims+24% | 2,692 | 2,172 | More expensive: Reims+24% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Reims+32% | 13.1 | 9.9 | More expensive: Reims+32% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Reims+30% | 11.8 | 9.1 | More expensive: Reims+30% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Étienne+11 pts | 28.0% | 38.9% | More homeowners: Saint-Étienne+11 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Reims+8.4 pts | 19.1% | 10.7% | More houses: Reims+8.4 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Reims+15 pts | 47.4% | 31.9% | More social housing: Reims+15 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Reims+1.4 pt | 3.8% | 2.4% | More second homes: Reims+1.4 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+2.0 pts | 10.0% | 12.0% | More vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+2.0 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+2.0 pt | 46.33% | 48.28% | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+2.0 pt |
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 | Reims | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Reims+7% | 22,410 | 20,880 | Higher: Reims+7% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Étienne+4.7 pts | 25.7% | 30.4% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+4.7 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Reims+16% | €27,322 | €23,469 | Higher: Reims+16% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Reims+5.6 pts | 42% | 37% | More taxpaying households: Reims+5.6 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Reims+2.1 pts | 70.4% | 68.3% | Higher: Reims+2.1 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Étienne+2.5 pts | 16.5% | 19.0% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+2.5 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Reims | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Arnaud Robinet | Régis Juanico | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Reims+1.5 pt | 98% | 97% | Better covered: Reims+1.5 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Reims | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Étienne+18% | 54.3982 in total | 64.31,123 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Étienne+18% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+14% | 19.3348 in total | 21.9383 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+14% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+14% | 32.7591 in total | 37.4653 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+14% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Reims+84% | 26.3475 in total | 14.3250 in total | More per capita: Reims+84% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Reims+4% | 1.527 in total | 1.425 in total | More per capita: Reims+4% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Reims2.1 times as high | 2.444 in total | 1.120 in total | More per capita: Reims2.1 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Saint-Étienne+2 | 3 | 5 | More stations: Saint-Étienne+2 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Reims | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Reims+30% | 5.0 | 3.8 | Better access: Reims+30% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Reims+8% | 10.0180 in total | 9.2161 in total | More per capita: Reims+8% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Reims+22% | 19.1346 in total | 15.7275 in total | More per capita: Reims+22% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Reims+85% | 7.6138 in total | 4.172 in total | More per capita: Reims+85% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Reims+20% | 3.462 in total | 2.950 in total | More per capita: Reims+20% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Reims+9 | 18 | 9 | More facilities: Reims+9 |
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 | Reims | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Reims+16 | 106 | 90 | More schools: Reims+16 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Étienne+2 | 22 | 24 | More middle schools: Saint-Étienne+2 |
| High schoolsTie | 24 | 24 | Tie |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Reims+2 | 41 | 39 | More facilities: Reims+2 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Reims | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Étienne2.4 times as high | 4.2 | 9.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne2.4 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+19% | 12.9 | 15.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+19% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Reims+34% | 5.8 | 4.3 | Higher rate: Reims+34% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Reims+27% | 3.6 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Reims+27% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+7% | 14.3 | 15.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+7% |
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 | Reims | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Étienne+0.2 °C | 11.2°C | 11.4°C | Warmer: Saint-Étienne+0.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,018 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Étienne+5% | 756 | 794 | Wetter: Saint-Étienne+5% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Reims+15 days/year | 120 | 105 | More rainy days: Reims+15 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Étienne+15 days/year | 45 | 60 | More frost days: Saint-Étienne+15 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Étienne+11 days/year | 9 | 20 | More hot days: Saint-Étienne+11 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 | Reims | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Étienne+4 | 17 | 21 | More declarations: Saint-Étienne+4 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Étienne+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Saint-Étienne+1 |
| Radon potential | Low | Significant |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Reims | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Étienne+71% | 46.9 | 80.0 | Larger: Saint-Étienne+71% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Étienne+429 m | 86 m | 515 m | Higher: Saint-Étienne+429 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Marne (51) | Loire (42) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté urbaine du Grand Reims | Saint-Etienne Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Reims | Saint-Étienne | |
| Functional area | Reims | Saint-Étienne |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Reims vs Saint-Étienne at a glance
| Criterion | Reims | Saint-Étienne |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 180,733 | 174,698 |
| Change over 10 years | −2.7% | +0.6% |
| Density per km² | 3,854 | 2,185 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,753 | 1,219 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,692 | 2,172 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.1 | 9.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 46.33% | 48.28% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,410 | 20,880 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 16.5% | 19.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.0 | 3.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.2 | 9.9 |
| Average temperature | 11.2°C | 11.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,018 |
| Area km² | 46.9 | 80.0 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
Reims vs Saint-Étienne: your questions
Which is the larger city, Reims or Saint-Étienne?
By population, Reims: 180,733 inhabitants versus 174,698 for Saint-Étienne (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Reims is the 13th largest city in France, Saint-Étienne the 14th. By area, Saint-Étienne is the larger (80.0 km²).
How far is Reims from Saint-Étienne?
Reims and Saint-Étienne are 426 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Reims or Saint-Étienne?
To buy an apartment, Reims is more expensive: €2,753 per m² (median price), versus €1,219 in Saint-Étienne (+126%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Reims or Saint-Étienne?
In Reims, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,410 a year, versus €20,880 in Saint-Étienne (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Reims and Saint-Étienne in the same department?
No: Reims is in Marne (51), in the Grand Est region, and Saint-Étienne in Loire (42), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures