2026 comparison
Saint-Benoît (974) vs Saint-Pierre (974): 2026 comparison
Saint-Pierre has more inhabitants than Saint-Benoît: 85,927 versus 38,967, or 2.2 times as many. Saint-Benoît covers a larger area (230 km² versus 96.0 km²), but Saint-Pierre is more densely populated: 895 inhabitants per km² versus 170.
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Pierre: €3,123 per m² versus €1,458. The median standard of living is higher in Saint-Pierre (€19,670 a year versus €16,460).
The two cities are 28 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Saint-Benoît
City in Réunion
- Population
- 38,967 inhab.
- 204th in France · 8th in its department
- Area
- 230 km²
- Density
- 170 per km²
Saint-Pierre
City in Réunion
- Population
- 85,927 inhab.
- 55th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 96.0 km²
- Density
- 895 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1954
Saint-BenoîtSaint-Pierre
| Criterion | Saint-Benoît | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Pierre2.2 times as high | 38,967 | 85,927 | More populous: Saint-Pierre2.2 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Benoît+3.5 pts | +3.6% | +0.1% | Stronger growth: Saint-Benoît+3.5 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Benoît+2.4 pts | +6.8% | +4.5% | Stronger growth: Saint-Benoît+2.4 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Pierre5.3 times as high | 170 | 895 | Denser: Saint-Pierre5.3 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Benoît+4.8 pts | 25.1% | 20.3% | More young people: Saint-Benoît+4.8 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Pierre+0.6 pt | 13.2% | 13.7% | More seniors: Saint-Pierre+0.6 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Benoît+0.22 | 2.59 | 2.37 | Larger households: Saint-Benoît+0.22 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Saint-Benoît | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Pierre2.1 times as high | 1,458 | 3,123 | More expensive: Saint-Pierre2.1 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Pierre+57% | 2,011 | 3,164 | More expensive: Saint-Pierre+57% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Pierre+31% | 12.1 | 15.8 | More expensive: Saint-Pierre+31% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Pierre+26% | 11.3 | 14.3 | More expensive: Saint-Pierre+26% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Benoît+2.0 pts | 52.4% | 50.4% | More homeowners: Saint-Benoît+2.0 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Benoît+2.8 pts | 67.7% | 64.9% | More houses: Saint-Benoît+2.8 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Benoît+11 pts | 34.4% | 23.2% | More social housing: Saint-Benoît+11 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Pierre+2.9 pts | 1.5% | 4.4% | More second homes: Saint-Pierre+2.9 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Benoît+0.4 pt | 9.7% | 9.2% | More vacant homes: Saint-Benoît+0.4 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Benoît+4.2 pts | 52.55% | 48.35% | Higher rate: Saint-Benoît+4.2 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-Benoît | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Saint-Pierre+20% | 16,460 | 19,670 | Higher: Saint-Pierre+20% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Benoît+11 pts | 45.9% | 34.8% | Higher: Saint-Benoît+11 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Saint-Pierre+37% | €17,013 | €23,366 | Higher: Saint-Pierre+37% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Saint-Pierre+8.9 pts | 17% | 26% | More taxpaying households: Saint-Pierre+8.9 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Pierre+5.4 pts | 64.8% | 70.2% | Higher: Saint-Pierre+5.4 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Benoît+4.6 pts | 32.0% | 27.4% | Higher: Saint-Benoît+4.6 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Saint-Benoît | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Patrice Selly | David Lorion | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous left | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Benoît+1.4 pt | 98% | 96% | Better covered: Saint-Benoît+1.4 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Saint-Benoît | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Pierre+99% | 44.1172 in total | 87.7754 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Pierre+99% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre+19% | 23.692 in total | 28.2242 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre+19% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre+66% | 39.3153 in total | 65.2560 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre+66% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Benoît+50% | 26.7104 in total | 17.8153 in total | More per capita: Saint-Benoît+50% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Benoît+20% | 1.56 in total | 1.311 in total | More per capita: Saint-Benoît+20% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre6.8 times as high | 0.31 in total | 1.715 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre6.8 times as high |
| 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-Benoît | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Pierre+77% | 3.8 | 6.7 | Better access: Saint-Pierre+77% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre+60% | 7.730 in total | 12.3106 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre+60% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre2.7 times as high | 4.618 in total | 12.5107 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre2.7 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre2.2 times as high | 4.919 in total | 10.792 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre2.2 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Benoît+10% | 2.811 in total | 2.622 in total | More per capita: Saint-Benoît+10% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Pierre+6 | 4 | 10 | More facilities: Saint-Pierre+6 |
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-Benoît | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Pierre+23 | 27 | 50 | More schools: Saint-Pierre+23 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Pierre+8 | 7 | 15 | More middle schools: Saint-Pierre+8 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Pierre+2 | 7 | 9 | More high schools: Saint-Pierre+2 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-Pierre+2 | 2 | 4 | More facilities: Saint-Pierre+2 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Saint-Benoît | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesTie | 4.0 | 4.0 | Tie |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Pierre+43% | 4.6 | 6.6 | Higher rate: Saint-Pierre+43% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Benoît+78% | 8.2 | 4.6 | Higher rate: Saint-Benoît+78% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Pierre2.2 times as high | 0.5 | 1.1 | Higher rate: Saint-Pierre2.2 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Benoît+17% | 7.6 | 6.5 | Higher rate: Saint-Benoît+17% |
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-Benoît | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Benoît+0.2 °C | 23.8°C | 23.6°C | Warmer: Saint-Benoît+0.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,567 | — | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Benoît3.6 times as high | 3,456 | 956 | Wetter: Saint-Benoît3.6 times as high |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Benoît+123 days/year | 198 | 75 | More rainy days: Saint-Benoît+123 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Pierre+20 days/year | 82 | 101 | More hot days: Saint-Pierre+20 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-Benoît | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Pierre+3 | 17 | 20 | More declarations: Saint-Pierre+3 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 2 | 2 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Low, with aggravating factors | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Saint-Benoît | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Benoît2.4 times as high | 230 | 96.0 | Larger: Saint-Benoît2.4 times as high |
| Town hall elevationTie | 8 m | 8 m | Tie |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Small town | Intermediate urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Réunion (974) | Réunion (974) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Intercommunale de la Réunion Est (CIREST) | Communauté d'agglomération CIVIS (Communauté Intercommunale des Villes Solidaires) | |
| Urban unit | Saint-Benoît | Saint-Pierre | |
| Functional area | Saint-Benoît | Saint-Pierre - Le Tampon |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Saint-Benoît (974) vs Saint-Pierre (974) at a glance
| Criterion | Saint-Benoît | Saint-Pierre |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 38,967 | 85,927 |
| Change over 10 years | +6.8% | +4.5% |
| Density per km² | 170 | 895 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,458 | 3,123 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,011 | 3,164 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 12.1 | 15.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 52.55% | 48.35% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 16,460 | 19,670 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 32.0% | 27.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.8 | 6.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Average temperature | 23.8°C | 23.6°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,567 | — |
| Area km² | 230 | 96.0 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Saint-Benoît (974) vs Saint-Pierre (974): your questions
Which is the larger city, Saint-Benoît or Saint-Pierre?
By population, Saint-Pierre: 85,927 inhabitants versus 38,967 for Saint-Benoît (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Pierre is the 55th largest city in France, Saint-Benoît the 204th. By area, Saint-Benoît is the larger (230 km²).
How far is Saint-Benoît from Saint-Pierre?
Saint-Benoît and Saint-Pierre are 28 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-Benoît or Saint-Pierre?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Pierre is more expensive: €3,123 per m² (median price), versus €1,458 in Saint-Benoît (+114%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Saint-Benoît or Saint-Pierre?
In Saint-Pierre, half of the residents have a standard of living above €19,670 a year, versus €16,460 in Saint-Benoît (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Saint-Benoît and Saint-Pierre 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