2026 comparison
Saint-André (974) vs Sainte-Marie (974): 2026 comparison
Saint-André has more inhabitants than Sainte-Marie: 59,351 versus 37,527, or 58% more. Sainte-Marie covers a larger area (87.2 km² versus 53.1 km²), but Saint-André is more densely populated: 1,118 inhabitants per km² versus 430.
The median apartment price is higher in Sainte-Marie: €2,409 per m² versus €1,614. The median standard of living is higher in Sainte-Marie (€21,270 a year versus €17,030).
The two cities are 12 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Saint-André
City in Réunion
- Population
- 59,351 inhab.
- 102nd in France · 5th in its department
- Area
- 53.1 km²
- Density
- 1,118 per km²
Sainte-Marie
City in Réunion
- Population
- 37,527 inhab.
- 218th in France · 9th in its department
- Area
- 87.2 km²
- Density
- 430 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1954
Saint-AndréSainte-Marie
| Criterion | Saint-André | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-André+58% | 59,351 | 37,527 | More populous: Saint-André+58% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Sainte-Marie+7.8 pts | +3.8% | +11.6% | Stronger growth: Sainte-Marie+7.8 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Sainte-Marie+8.9 pts | +4.9% | +13.8% | Stronger growth: Sainte-Marie+8.9 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-André2.6 times as high | 1,118 | 430 | Denser: Saint-André2.6 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-André+2.1 pts | 25.0% | 22.9% | More young people: Saint-André+2.1 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Sainte-Marie+0.1 pt | 11.4% | 11.5% | More seniors: Sainte-Marie+0.1 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-André+0.13 | 2.70 | 2.57 | Larger households: Saint-André+0.13 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Saint-André | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Sainte-Marie+49% | 1,614 | 2,409 | More expensive: Sainte-Marie+49% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Sainte-Marie+36% | 2,116 | 2,875 | More expensive: Sainte-Marie+36% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Sainte-Marie+3% | 13.0 | 13.5 | More expensive: Sainte-Marie+3% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Sainte-Marie+23% | 11.7 | 14.4 | More expensive: Sainte-Marie+23% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Sainte-Marie+2.6 pts | 48.1% | 50.7% | More homeowners: Sainte-Marie+2.6 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-André+7.0 pts | 71.7% | 64.7% | More houses: Saint-André+7.0 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Sainte-Marie+2.7 pts | 27.2% | 29.9% | More social housing: Sainte-Marie+2.7 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Sainte-Marie+0.6 pt | 1.0% | 1.6% | More second homes: Sainte-Marie+0.6 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-André+0.8 pt | 7.2% | 6.5% | More vacant homes: Saint-André+0.8 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Sainte-Marie+3.5 pts | 42.67% | 46.14% | Higher rate: Sainte-Marie+3.5 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 | Saint-André | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Sainte-Marie+25% | 17,030 | 21,270 | Higher: Sainte-Marie+25% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-André+13 pts | 43.6% | 30.6% | Higher: Saint-André+13 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Sainte-Marie+41% | €17,839 | €25,138 | Higher: Sainte-Marie+41% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Sainte-Marie+11 pts | 17% | 28% | More taxpaying households: Sainte-Marie+11 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Sainte-Marie+8.8 pts | 65.0% | 73.8% | Higher: Sainte-Marie+8.8 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-André+8.5 pts | 30.7% | 22.2% | Higher: Saint-André+8.5 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Saint-André | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Joé Bedier | Céline Sitouze | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous left | miscellaneous left | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-André+2.2 pts | 98% | 96% | Better covered: Saint-André+2.2 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Saint-André | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Sainte-Marie+1% | 57.3340 in total | 58.1218 in total | More shops per capita: Sainte-Marie+1% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-André+13% | 24.6146 in total | 21.982 in total | More per capita: Saint-André+13% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Sainte-Marie+11% | 37.6223 in total | 41.8157 in total | More per capita: Sainte-Marie+11% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Sainte-Marie+49% | 14.586 in total | 21.681 in total | More per capita: Sainte-Marie+49% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Sainte-Marie+58% | 0.53 in total | 0.83 in total | More per capita: Sainte-Marie+58% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 0.00 in total | 0.00 in total | Tie |
| Passenger train stationsTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Saint-André | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Sainte-Marie+6% | 4.5 | 4.8 | Better access: Sainte-Marie+6% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-André+19% | 8.651 in total | 7.227 in total | More per capita: Saint-André+19% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-André25 times as high | 6.639 in total | 0.31 in total | More per capita: Saint-André25 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-André+32% | 4.225 in total | 3.212 in total | More per capita: Saint-André+32% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 2.917 in total | 2.911 in total | Tie |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-André+2 | 3 | 1 | More facilities: Saint-André+2 |
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 | Saint-André | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-André+10 | 31 | 21 | More schools: Saint-André+10 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-André+3 | 8 | 5 | More middle schools: Saint-André+3 |
| High schoolsTie | 3 | 3 | Tie |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-André+1 | 1 | 0 | More facilities: Saint-André+1 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Saint-André | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-André3.4 times as high | 7.7 | 2.3 | Higher rate: Saint-André3.4 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Sainte-Marie+47% | 3.3 | 4.9 | Higher rate: Sainte-Marie+47% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-André+22% | 5.1 | 4.2 | Higher rate: Saint-André+22% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Sainte-Marie3.4 times as high | 0.5 | 1.5 | Higher rate: Sainte-Marie3.4 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Sainte-Marie+11% | 5.7 | 6.3 | Higher rate: Sainte-Marie+11% |
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 | Saint-André | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Sainte-Marie+1.5 °C | 23.0°C | 24.5°C | Warmer: Sainte-Marie+1.5 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearTie | 2,567 | 2,567 | Tie |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-André2.2 times as high | 3,411 | 1,554 | Wetter: Saint-André2.2 times as high |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-André+66 days/year | 193 | 127 | More rainy days: Saint-André+66 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Sainte-Marie+49 days/year | 42 | 91 | More hot days: Sainte-Marie+49 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 | Saint-André | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Sainte-Marie+5 | 17 | 22 | More declarations: Sainte-Marie+5 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 2 | 2 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Saint-André | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Sainte-Marie+64% | 53.1 | 87.2 | Larger: Sainte-Marie+64% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-André+87 m | 93 m | 5 m | Higher: Saint-André+87 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Small town | |
| DepartmentSame | Réunion (974) | Réunion (974) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Intercommunale de la Réunion Est (CIREST) | Communauté d'agglomération Intercommunale du Nord de la Réunion (CINOR) | |
| Urban unit | Saint-André | Saint-Denis | |
| Functional areaSame | Saint-Denis | Saint-Denis | Same |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Saint-André (974) vs Sainte-Marie (974) at a glance
| Criterion | Saint-André | Sainte-Marie |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 59,351 | 37,527 |
| Change over 10 years | +4.9% | +13.8% |
| Density per km² | 1,118 | 430 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,614 | 2,409 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,116 | 2,875 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.0 | 13.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 42.67% | 46.14% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 17,030 | 21,270 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 30.7% | 22.2% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.5 | 4.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 7.7 | 2.3 |
| Average temperature | 23.0°C | 24.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,567 | 2,567 |
| Area km² | 53.1 | 87.2 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Saint-André (974) vs Sainte-Marie (974): your questions
Which is the larger city, Saint-André or Sainte-Marie?
By population, Saint-André: 59,351 inhabitants versus 37,527 for Sainte-Marie (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-André is the 102nd largest city in France, Sainte-Marie the 218th. By area, Sainte-Marie is the larger (87.2 km²).
How far is Saint-André from Sainte-Marie?
Saint-André and Sainte-Marie are 12 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Réunion).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Saint-André or Sainte-Marie?
To buy an apartment, Sainte-Marie is more expensive: €2,409 per m² (median price), versus €1,614 in Saint-André (+49%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Saint-André or Sainte-Marie?
In Sainte-Marie, half of the residents have a standard of living above €21,270 a year, versus €17,030 in Saint-André (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Saint-André and Sainte-Marie in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Réunion (974), in the Réunion region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures