2026 comparison
Rennes vs Saint-Malo: 2026 comparison
Rennes has more inhabitants than Saint-Malo: 234,950 versus 48,675, or 4.8 times as many. Rennes is both larger (50.4 km² versus 36.6 km²) and more densely populated (4,663 inhabitants per km² versus 1,331).
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Malo: €4,547 per m² versus €3,719. The median standard of living is higher in Saint-Malo (€27,160 a year versus €25,100).
The two cities are 64 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
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
© Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Saint-Malo
City in Ille-et-Vilaine
- Population
- 48,675 inhab.
- 141st in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 36.6 km²
- Density
- 1,331 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
RennesSaint-Malo
| Criterion | Rennes | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Rennes4.8 times as high | 234,950 | 48,675 | More populous: Rennes4.8 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Rennes+4.0 pts | +6.0% | +2.1% | Stronger growth: Rennes+4.0 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Rennes+3.6 pts | +9.2% | +5.6% | Stronger growth: Rennes+3.6 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Rennes3.5 times as high | 4,663 | 1,331 | Denser: Rennes3.5 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Rennes+2.6 pts | 14.1% | 11.5% | More young people: Rennes+2.6 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Malo+20 pts | 14.3% | 34.7% | More seniors: Saint-Malo+20 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Rennes+0.06 | 1.82 | 1.76 | Larger households: Rennes+0.06 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Rennes | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Malo+22% | 3,719 | 4,547 | More expensive: Saint-Malo+22% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Rennes+6% | 4,821 | 4,539 | More expensive: Rennes+6% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Rennes+9% | 14.9 | 13.6 | More expensive: Rennes+9% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Rennes+23% | 15.3 | 12.5 | More expensive: Rennes+23% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Malo+18 pts | 33.8% | 52.3% | More homeowners: Saint-Malo+18 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Malo+25 pts | 12.0% | 37.1% | More houses: Saint-Malo+25 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Rennes+2.1 pts | 31.5% | 29.4% | More social housing: Rennes+2.1 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Malo+22 pts | 4.8% | 27.1% | More second homes: Saint-Malo+22 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Rennes+1.2 pt | 6.5% | 5.3% | More vacant homes: Rennes+1.2 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Malo+1.4 pt | 47.70% | 49.08% | Higher rate: Saint-Malo+1.4 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 | Rennes | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Saint-Malo+8% | 25,100 | 27,160 | Higher: Saint-Malo+8% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Rennes+9.6 pts | 22.7% | 13.1% | Higher: Rennes+9.6 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Saint-Malo+15% | €30,294 | €34,759 | Higher: Saint-Malo+15% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Saint-Malo+3.5 pts | 47% | 51% | More taxpaying households: Saint-Malo+3.5 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Malo+5.5 pts | 69.1% | 74.7% | Higher: Saint-Malo+5.5 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Rennes+2.7 pts | 13.8% | 11.0% | Higher: Rennes+2.7 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Rennes | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Nathalie Appéré | Gilles Lurton | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the left | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Rennes+0.6 pt | 97% | 96% | Better covered: Rennes+0.6 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Rennes | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Malo2.1 times as high | 55.41,301 in total | 116.3566 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Malo2.1 times as high |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo2.0 times as high | 15.9373 in total | 32.3157 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo2.0 times as high |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+70% | 35.9844 in total | 61.0297 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+70% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+43% | 9.1213 in total | 12.963 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+43% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+69% | 1.740 in total | 2.914 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+69% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo10 times as high | 1.535 in total | 15.475 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo10 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Rennes+2 | 3 | 1 | More stations: Rennes+2 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Rennes | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Malo+19% | 4.8 | 5.7 | Better access: Saint-Malo+19% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+63% | 10.5246 in total | 17.183 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+63% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo2.2 times as high | 19.2451 in total | 42.5207 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo2.2 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+56% | 7.1167 in total | 11.154 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+56% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+69% | 2.457 in total | 4.120 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+69% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Rennes+30 | 36 | 6 | More facilities: Rennes+30 |
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-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Rennes+78 | 100 | 22 | More schools: Rennes+78 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Rennes+19 | 25 | 6 | More middle schools: Rennes+19 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Rennes+21 | 29 | 8 | More high schools: Rennes+21 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Rennes+97 | 102 | 5 | More facilities: Rennes+97 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Rennes | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Rennes+8% | 4.8 | 4.4 | Higher rate: Rennes+8% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Rennes+84% | 20.9 | 11.3 | Higher rate: Rennes+84% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Malo+14% | 4.2 | 4.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Malo+14% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Malo+74% | 1.9 | 3.4 | Higher rate: Saint-Malo+74% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Malo+32% | 10.7 | 14.1 | Higher rate: Saint-Malo+32% |
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-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Rennes+0.5 °C | 12.4°C | 11.9°C | Warmer: Rennes+0.5 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Rennes+2% | 1,762 | 1,733 | Sunnier: Rennes+2% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Malo+9% | 691 | 752 | Wetter: Saint-Malo+9% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Malo+13 days/year | 115 | 128 | More rainy days: Saint-Malo+13 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Rennes+8 days/year | 30 | 22 | More frost days: Rennes+8 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Rennes+7 days/year | 9 | 2 | More hot days: Rennes+7 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-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Rennes+2 | 14 | 12 | More declarations: Rennes+2 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Rennes | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Rennes+38% | 50.4 | 36.6 | Larger: Rennes+38% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Rennes+24 m | 32 m | 8 m | Higher: Rennes+24 m |
| Coastal commune | No | Yes (sea) | |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Ille-et-Vilaine (35) | Ille-et-Vilaine (35) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Rennes Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération du Pays de Saint Malo Agglomération | |
| Urban unit | Rennes | Saint-Malo | |
| Functional area | Rennes | Saint-Malo |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Rennes vs Saint-Malo at a glance
| Criterion | Rennes | Saint-Malo |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 234,950 | 48,675 |
| Change over 10 years | +9.2% | +5.6% |
| Density per km² | 4,663 | 1,331 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 3,719 | 4,547 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,821 | 4,539 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 14.9 | 13.6 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 47.70% | 49.08% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 25,100 | 27,160 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 13.8% | 11.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.8 | 5.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.8 | 4.4 |
| Average temperature | 12.4°C | 11.9°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,762 | 1,733 |
| Area km² | 50.4 | 36.6 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Rennes vs Saint-Malo: your questions
Which is the larger city, Rennes or Saint-Malo?
By population, Rennes: 234,950 inhabitants versus 48,675 for Saint-Malo (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Rennes is the 11th largest city in France, Saint-Malo the 141st. By area, Rennes is also the larger (50.4 km²).
How far is Rennes from Saint-Malo?
Rennes and Saint-Malo are 64 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Ille-et-Vilaine).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Rennes or Saint-Malo?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Malo is more expensive: €4,547 per m² (median price), versus €3,719 in Rennes (+22%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Rennes or Saint-Malo?
In Saint-Malo, half of the residents have a standard of living above €27,160 a year, versus €25,100 in Rennes (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Rennes or Saint-Malo?
Rennes: 1,762 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,733 in Saint-Malo (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