2026 comparison
Saint-Brieuc vs Saint-Malo: 2026 comparison
Saint-Malo has more inhabitants than Saint-Brieuc: 48,675 versus 45,736, or 6.4% more. Saint-Malo covers a larger area (36.6 km² versus 21.9 km²), but Saint-Brieuc is more densely populated: 2,090 inhabitants per km² versus 1,331.
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Malo: €4,547 per m² versus €1,671. The median standard of living is higher in Saint-Malo (€27,160 a year versus €23,440).
The two cities are 58 km apart as the crow flies.
Saint-Brieuc
City in Côtes-d'Armor
- Population
- 45,736 inhab.
- 161st in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 21.9 km²
- Density
- 2,090 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
Saint-BrieucSaint-Malo
| Criterion | Saint-Brieuc | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Malo+6% | 45,736 | 48,675 | More populous: Saint-Malo+6% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Malo+1.6 pt | +0.4% | +2.1% | Stronger growth: Saint-Malo+1.6 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Malo+7.7 pts | −2.1% | +5.6% | Stronger growth: Saint-Malo+7.7 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Brieuc+57% | 2,090 | 1,331 | Denser: Saint-Brieuc+57% |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Brieuc+3.8 pts | 15.4% | 11.5% | More young people: Saint-Brieuc+3.8 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Malo+11 pts | 23.3% | 34.7% | More seniors: Saint-Malo+11 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Brieuc+0.05 | 1.81 | 1.76 | Larger households: Saint-Brieuc+0.05 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Saint-Brieuc | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Malo2.7 times as high | 1,671 | 4,547 | More expensive: Saint-Malo2.7 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Malo2.3 times as high | 1,965 | 4,539 | More expensive: Saint-Malo2.3 times as high |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Malo+20% | 11.4 | 13.6 | More expensive: Saint-Malo+20% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Malo+28% | 9.7 | 12.5 | More expensive: Saint-Malo+28% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Malo+3.3 pts | 48.9% | 52.3% | More homeowners: Saint-Malo+3.3 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Brieuc+1.3 pt | 38.4% | 37.1% | More houses: Saint-Brieuc+1.3 pt |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Malo+2.6 pts | 26.7% | 29.4% | More social housing: Saint-Malo+2.6 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Malo+22 pts | 5.0% | 27.1% | More second homes: Saint-Malo+22 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Brieuc+5.1 pts | 10.4% | 5.3% | More vacant homes: Saint-Brieuc+5.1 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+0.6 pt | 49.66% | 49.08% | Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+0.6 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 | Saint-Brieuc | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Saint-Malo+16% | 23,440 | 27,160 | Higher: Saint-Malo+16% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Brieuc+9.3 pts | 22.4% | 13.1% | Higher: Saint-Brieuc+9.3 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Saint-Malo+40% | €24,792 | €34,759 | Higher: Saint-Malo+40% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Saint-Malo+9.5 pts | 41% | 51% | More taxpaying households: Saint-Malo+9.5 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Malo+2.1 pts | 72.6% | 74.7% | Higher: Saint-Malo+2.1 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Brieuc+3.3 pts | 14.3% | 11.0% | Higher: Saint-Brieuc+3.3 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Saint-Brieuc | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Victor Bonnot | Gilles Lurton | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Brieuc+2.0 pt | 98% | 96% | Better covered: Saint-Brieuc+2.0 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Saint-Brieuc | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Malo+91% | 61.0279 in total | 116.3566 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Malo+91% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+82% | 17.781 in total | 32.3157 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+82% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+63% | 37.4171 in total | 61.0297 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+63% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Brieuc2.3 times as high | 30.2138 in total | 12.963 in total | More per capita: Saint-Brieuc2.3 times as high |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Brieuc+6% | 3.114 in total | 2.914 in total | More per capita: Saint-Brieuc+6% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo6.4 times as high | 2.411 in total | 15.475 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo6.4 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Saint-Brieuc | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Malo+58% | 3.6 | 5.7 | Better access: Saint-Malo+58% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo2.1 times as high | 8.338 in total | 17.183 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo2.1 times as high |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo2.9 times as high | 14.968 in total | 42.5207 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo2.9 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+45% | 7.735 in total | 11.154 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+45% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+25% | 3.315 in total | 4.120 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+25% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Brieuc+3 | 9 | 6 | More facilities: Saint-Brieuc+3 |
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-Brieuc | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Brieuc+6 | 28 | 22 | More schools: Saint-Brieuc+6 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Brieuc+4 | 10 | 6 | More middle schools: Saint-Brieuc+4 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Brieuc+4 | 12 | 8 | More high schools: Saint-Brieuc+4 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-Brieuc+10 | 15 | 5 | More facilities: Saint-Brieuc+10 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Saint-Brieuc | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesTie | 4.4 | 4.4 | Tie |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+23% | 13.9 | 11.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+23% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+32% | 6.3 | 4.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+32% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Malo2.4 times as high | 1.4 | 3.4 | Higher rate: Saint-Malo2.4 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+6% | 14.9 | 14.1 | Higher rate: Saint-Brieuc+6% |
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-Brieuc | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Malo+0.5 °C | 11.4°C | 11.9°C | Warmer: Saint-Malo+0.5 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Saint-Malo+7% | 1,616 | 1,733 | Sunnier: Saint-Malo+7% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Brieuc+0.7% | 757 | 752 | Wetter: Saint-Brieuc+0.7% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Brieuc+2 days/year | 130 | 128 | More rainy days: Saint-Brieuc+2 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Malo+5 days/year | 17 | 22 | More frost days: Saint-Malo+5 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Malo+1 days/year | 1 | 2 | More hot days: Saint-Malo+1 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-Brieuc | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982Tie | 12 | 12 | Tie |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Saint-Brieuc | Saint-Malo | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Malo+67% | 21.9 | 36.6 | Larger: Saint-Malo+67% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Brieuc+67 m | 76 m | 8 m | Higher: Saint-Brieuc+67 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| Department | Côtes-d'Armor (22) | Ille-et-Vilaine (35) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Saint-Brieuc Armor Agglomération | Communauté d'agglomération du Pays de Saint Malo Agglomération | |
| Urban unit | Saint-Brieuc | Saint-Malo | |
| Functional area | Saint-Brieuc | Saint-Malo |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Saint-Brieuc vs Saint-Malo at a glance
| Criterion | Saint-Brieuc | Saint-Malo |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 45,736 | 48,675 |
| Change over 10 years | −2.1% | +5.6% |
| Density per km² | 2,090 | 1,331 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,671 | 4,547 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,965 | 4,539 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.4 | 13.6 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 49.66% | 49.08% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 23,440 | 27,160 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 14.3% | 11.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.6 | 5.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| Average temperature | 11.4°C | 11.9°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,616 | 1,733 |
| Area km² | 21.9 | 36.6 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Saint-Brieuc vs Saint-Malo: your questions
Which is the larger city, Saint-Brieuc or Saint-Malo?
By population, Saint-Malo: 48,675 inhabitants versus 45,736 for Saint-Brieuc (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Malo is the 141st largest city in France, Saint-Brieuc the 161st. By area, Saint-Malo is also the larger (36.6 km²).
How far is Saint-Brieuc from Saint-Malo?
Saint-Brieuc and Saint-Malo are 58 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Saint-Brieuc or Saint-Malo?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Malo is more expensive: €4,547 per m² (median price), versus €1,671 in Saint-Brieuc (+172%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Saint-Brieuc or Saint-Malo?
In Saint-Malo, half of the residents have a standard of living above €27,160 a year, versus €23,440 in Saint-Brieuc (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Saint-Brieuc or Saint-Malo?
Saint-Malo: 1,733 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,616 in Saint-Brieuc (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