2026 comparison
Rennes vs Saint-Denis (974): 2026 comparison
Rennes has more inhabitants than Saint-Denis: 234,950 versus 157,142, or 50% more. Saint-Denis covers a larger area (143 km² versus 50.4 km²), but Rennes is more densely populated: 4,663 inhabitants per km² versus 1,101.
The median apartment price is higher in Rennes: €3,719 per m² versus €2,500. The median standard of living is higher in Rennes (€25,100 a year versus €20,240).
The two cities are 9,547 km apart as the crow flies.
Rennes
City in Ille-et-Vilaine
- Population
- 234,950 inhab.
- 11th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 50.4 km²
- Density
- 4,663 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
RennesSaint-Denis
| Criterion | Rennes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Rennes+50% | 234,950 | 157,142 | More populous: Rennes+50% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Rennes+2.7 pts | +6.0% | +3.4% | Stronger growth: Rennes+2.7 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+0.0 pt | +9.2% | +9.3% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+0.0 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Rennes4.2 times as high | 4,663 | 1,101 | Denser: Rennes4.2 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Denis+6.5 pts | 14.1% | 20.6% | More young people: Saint-Denis+6.5 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Denis+0.2 pt | 14.3% | 14.5% | More seniors: Saint-Denis+0.2 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Denis+0.41 | 1.82 | 2.23 | Larger households: Saint-Denis+0.41 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Rennes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Rennes+49% | 3,719 | 2,500 | More expensive: Rennes+49% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Rennes+51% | 4,821 | 3,183 | More expensive: Rennes+51% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Denis+1% | 14.9 | 15.1 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+1% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Rennes+2% | 15.3 | 14.9 | More expensive: Rennes+2% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Rennes+2.3 pts | 33.8% | 31.5% | More homeowners: Rennes+2.3 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Denis+22 pts | 12.0% | 34.0% | More houses: Saint-Denis+22 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Denis+7.5 pts | 31.5% | 38.9% | More social housing: Saint-Denis+7.5 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Rennes+3.0 pts | 4.8% | 1.8% | More second homes: Rennes+3.0 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Denis+2.3 pts | 6.5% | 8.8% | More vacant homes: Saint-Denis+2.3 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Rennes+8.7 pts | 47.70% | 38.97% | Higher rate: Rennes+8.7 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 | Rennes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Rennes+24% | 25,100 | 20,240 | Higher: Rennes+24% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Denis+12 pts | 22.7% | 35.0% | Higher: Saint-Denis+12 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Rennes+21% | €30,294 | €24,973 | Higher: Rennes+21% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Rennes+19 pts | 47% | 29% | More taxpaying households: Rennes+19 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Denis+0.8 pt | 69.1% | 69.9% | Higher: Saint-Denis+0.8 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Denis+12 pts | 13.8% | 25.4% | Higher: Saint-Denis+12 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Rennes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Nathalie Appéré | Ericka Bareigts | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | union of the left | union of the left | Same |
| 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 | Rennes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Denis+18% | 55.41,301 in total | 65.21,025 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Denis+18% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+34% | 15.9373 in total | 21.3334 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+34% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+32% | 35.9844 in total | 47.3744 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+32% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis2.1 times as high | 9.1213 in total | 18.7294 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis2.1 times as high |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Rennes+22% | 1.740 in total | 1.422 in total | More per capita: Rennes+22% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Rennes+95% | 1.535 in total | 0.812 in total | More per capita: Rennes+95% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Rennes+3 | 3 | 0 | More stations: Rennes+3 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Rennes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityTie | 4.8 | 4.8 | Tie |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Rennes+5% | 10.5246 in total | 10.0157 in total | More per capita: Rennes+5% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Rennes+38% | 19.2451 in total | 13.9219 in total | More per capita: Rennes+38% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Rennes+4% | 7.1167 in total | 6.8107 in total | More per capita: Rennes+4% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+18% | 2.457 in total | 2.945 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+18% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Rennes+26 | 36 | 10 | More facilities: Rennes+26 |
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 | Rennes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Rennes+15 | 100 | 85 | More schools: Rennes+15 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Rennes+5 | 25 | 20 | More middle schools: Rennes+5 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Rennes+15 | 29 | 14 | More high schools: Rennes+15 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Rennes+76 | 102 | 26 | More facilities: Rennes+76 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Rennes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Rennes2.3 times as high | 4.8 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Rennes2.3 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Rennes4.5 times as high | 20.9 | 4.7 | Higher rate: Rennes4.5 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Denis+7% | 4.2 | 4.5 | Higher rate: Saint-Denis+7% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Rennes+92% | 1.9 | 1.0 | Higher rate: Rennes+92% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Rennes+48% | 10.7 | 7.2 | Higher rate: Rennes+48% |
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 | Rennes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Denis+12.1 °C | 12.4°C | 24.5°C | Warmer: Saint-Denis+12.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Saint-Denis+46% | 1,762 | 2,567 | Sunnier: Saint-Denis+46% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Denis2.2 times as high | 691 | 1,530 | Wetter: Saint-Denis2.2 times as high |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Denis+2 days/year | 115 | 117 | More rainy days: Saint-Denis+2 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Rennes+30 days/year | 30 | 0 | More frost days: Rennes+30 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Denis+66 days/year | 9 | 75 | More hot days: Saint-Denis+66 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 | Rennes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Denis+7 | 14 | 21 | More declarations: Saint-Denis+7 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Rennes | Saint-Denis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Denis2.8 times as high | 50.4 | 143 | Larger: Saint-Denis2.8 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Rennes+17 m | 32 m | 15 m | Higher: Rennes+17 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Ille-et-Vilaine (35) | Réunion (974) | |
| Intercommunality | Rennes Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération Intercommunale du Nord de la Réunion (CINOR) | |
| Urban unit | Rennes | Saint-Denis | |
| Functional area | Rennes | Saint-Denis |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Rennes vs Saint-Denis (974) at a glance
| Criterion | Rennes | Saint-Denis |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 234,950 | 157,142 |
| Change over 10 years | +9.2% | +9.3% |
| Density per km² | 4,663 | 1,101 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,719 | 2,500 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,821 | 3,183 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 14.9 | 15.1 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 47.70% | 38.97% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,100 | 20,240 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 13.8% | 25.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.8 | 2.1 |
| Average temperature | 12.4°C | 24.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,762 | 2,567 |
| Area km² | 50.4 | 143 |
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FAQ
Rennes vs Saint-Denis (974): your questions
Which is the larger city, Rennes or Saint-Denis?
By population, Rennes: 234,950 inhabitants versus 157,142 for Saint-Denis (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Rennes is the 11th largest city in France, Saint-Denis the 20th. By area, Saint-Denis is the larger (143 km²).
How far is Rennes from Saint-Denis?
Rennes and Saint-Denis are 9,547 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Rennes or Saint-Denis?
To buy an apartment, Rennes is more expensive: €3,719 per m² (median price), versus €2,500 in Saint-Denis (+49%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Rennes or Saint-Denis?
In Rennes, half of the residents have a standard of living above €25,100 a year, versus €20,240 in Saint-Denis (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Rennes or Saint-Denis?
Saint-Denis: 2,567 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,762 in Rennes (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