2026 comparison
Roanne vs Saint-Étienne: 2026 comparison
Saint-Étienne has more inhabitants than Roanne: 174,698 versus 36,067, or 4.8 times as many. Saint-Étienne covers a larger area (80.0 km² versus 16.1 km²), but Roanne is more densely populated: 2,237 inhabitants per km² versus 2,185.
The median apartment price is higher in Roanne: €1,224 per m² versus €1,219. The median standard of living is higher in Roanne (€21,580 a year versus €20,880).
The two cities are 72 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Roanne
City in Loire
- Population
- 36,067 inhab.
- 235th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 16.1 km²
- Density
- 2,237 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
RoanneSaint-Étienne
| Criterion | Roanne | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Étienne4.8 times as high | 36,067 | 174,698 | More populous: Saint-Étienne4.8 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Roanne+4.1 pts | +4.1% | +0.0% | Stronger growth: Roanne+4.1 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Étienne+0.9 pt | −0.3% | +0.6% | Stronger growth: Saint-Étienne+0.9 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Roanne+2% | 2,237 | 2,185 | Denser: Roanne+2% |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Étienne+3.5 pts | 13.6% | 17.0% | More young people: Saint-Étienne+3.5 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Roanne+6.2 pts | 26.8% | 20.5% | More seniors: Roanne+6.2 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Étienne+0.22 | 1.73 | 1.95 | Larger households: Saint-Étienne+0.22 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Roanne | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Roanne+0.4% | 1,224 | 1,219 | More expensive: Roanne+0.4% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Étienne+22% | 1,776 | 2,172 | More expensive: Saint-Étienne+22% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Étienne+4% | 9.5 | 9.9 | More expensive: Saint-Étienne+4% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Roanne+2% | 9.2 | 9.1 | More expensive: Roanne+2% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Étienne+0.3 pt | 38.5% | 38.9% | More homeowners: Saint-Étienne+0.3 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Roanne+10 pts | 21.1% | 10.7% | More houses: Roanne+10 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Étienne+0.8 pt | 31.2% | 31.9% | More social housing: Saint-Étienne+0.8 pt |
| Second homesMore second homes: Roanne+0.7 pt | 3.1% | 2.4% | More second homes: Roanne+0.7 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+0.4 pt | 11.6% | 12.0% | More vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+0.4 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+7.0 pts | 41.32% | 48.28% | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+7.0 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 | Roanne | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Roanne+3% | 21,580 | 20,880 | Higher: Roanne+3% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Étienne+4.4 pts | 26.0% | 30.4% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+4.4 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Saint-Étienne+6% | €22,160 | €23,469 | Higher: Saint-Étienne+6% |
| Households paying income taxTie | 37% | 37% | Tie |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Roanne+0.8 pt | 69.1% | 68.3% | Higher: Roanne+0.8 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Étienne+1.6 pt | 17.4% | 19.0% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+1.6 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Roanne | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Yves Nicolin | Régis Juanico | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | Les Républicains | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Roanne+2.7 pts | 99% | 97% | Better covered: Roanne+2.7 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Roanne | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Roanne+52% | 97.9353 in total | 64.31,123 in total | More shops per capita: Roanne+52% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roanne+16% | 25.592 in total | 21.9383 in total | More per capita: Roanne+16% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roanne+2% | 38.3138 in total | 37.4653 in total | More per capita: Roanne+2% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roanne+49% | 21.377 in total | 14.3250 in total | More per capita: Roanne+49% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roanne+55% | 2.28 in total | 1.425 in total | More per capita: Roanne+55% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roanne+21% | 1.45 in total | 1.120 in total | More per capita: Roanne+21% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Saint-Étienne+4 | 1 | 5 | More stations: Saint-Étienne+4 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Roanne | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Étienne+16% | 3.3 | 3.8 | Better access: Saint-Étienne+16% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roanne+14% | 10.538 in total | 9.2161 in total | More per capita: Roanne+14% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roanne+85% | 29.1105 in total | 15.7275 in total | More per capita: Roanne+85% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roanne2.9 times as high | 11.943 in total | 4.172 in total | More per capita: Roanne2.9 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Roanne+26% | 3.613 in total | 2.950 in total | More per capita: Roanne+26% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Étienne+4 | 5 | 9 | More facilities: Saint-Étienne+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 | Roanne | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Étienne+74 | 16 | 90 | More schools: Saint-Étienne+74 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Étienne+17 | 7 | 24 | More middle schools: Saint-Étienne+17 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Étienne+14 | 10 | 24 | More high schools: Saint-Étienne+14 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-Étienne+35 | 4 | 39 | More facilities: Saint-Étienne+35 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Roanne | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Étienne3.7 times as high | 2.7 | 9.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne3.7 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+38% | 11.0 | 15.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+38% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Roanne+51% | 6.5 | 4.3 | Higher rate: Roanne+51% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne2.2 times as high | 1.3 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne2.2 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+7% | 14.2 | 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 | Roanne | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Roanne+0.9 °C | 12.3°C | 11.4°C | Warmer: Roanne+0.9 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,018 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Étienne+12% | 711 | 794 | Wetter: Saint-Étienne+12% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Roanne+3 days/year | 107 | 105 | More rainy days: Roanne+3 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Roanne+2 days/year | 61 | 60 | More frost days: Roanne+2 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Roanne+10 days/year | 30 | 20 | More hot days: Roanne+10 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 | Roanne | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Étienne+6 | 15 | 21 | More declarations: Saint-Étienne+6 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Étienne+2 | 0 | 2 | More plans: Saint-Étienne+2 |
| Radon potential | Low, with aggravating factors | Significant |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Roanne | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Étienne5.0 times as high | 16.1 | 80.0 | Larger: Saint-Étienne5.0 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Étienne+239 m | 276 m | 515 m | Higher: Saint-Étienne+239 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Large urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Loire (42) | Loire (42) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Roannais Agglomération | Saint-Etienne Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Roanne | Saint-Étienne | |
| Functional area | Roanne | Saint-Étienne |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Roanne vs Saint-Étienne at a glance
| Criterion | Roanne | Saint-Étienne |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 36,067 | 174,698 |
| Change over 10 years | −0.3% | +0.6% |
| Density per km² | 2,237 | 2,185 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,224 | 1,219 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,776 | 2,172 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 9.5 | 9.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 41.32% | 48.28% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 21,580 | 20,880 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 17.4% | 19.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 99% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.3 | 3.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 2.7 | 9.9 |
| Average temperature | 12.3°C | 11.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,018 |
| Area km² | 16.1 | 80.0 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
Roanne vs Saint-Étienne: your questions
Which is the larger city, Roanne or Saint-Étienne?
By population, Saint-Étienne: 174,698 inhabitants versus 36,067 for Roanne (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Étienne is the 14th largest city in France, Roanne the 235th. By area, Saint-Étienne is also the larger (80.0 km²).
How far is Roanne from Saint-Étienne?
Roanne and Saint-Étienne are 72 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Loire).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Roanne or Saint-Étienne?
To buy an apartment, Roanne is more expensive: €1,224 per m² (median price), versus €1,219 in Saint-Étienne (+0%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Roanne or Saint-Étienne?
In Roanne, half of the residents have a standard of living above €21,580 a year, versus €20,880 in Saint-Étienne (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Roanne and Saint-Étienne in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Loire (42), in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures