2026 comparison
Saint-Chamond vs Saint-Étienne: 2026 comparison
Saint-Étienne has more inhabitants than Saint-Chamond: 174,698 versus 36,065, or 4.8 times as many. Saint-Étienne is both larger (80.0 km² versus 54.9 km²) and more densely populated (2,185 inhabitants per km² versus 657).
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Chamond: €1,275 per m² versus €1,219. The median standard of living is higher in Saint-Chamond (€22,710 a year versus €20,880).
The two cities are 12 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department and the same urban unit (Saint-Étienne).
Saint-Chamond
City in Loire
- Population
- 36,065 inhab.
- 236th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 54.9 km²
- Density
- 657 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
Saint-ChamondSaint-Étienne
| Criterion | Saint-Chamond | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Étienne4.8 times as high | 36,065 | 174,698 | More populous: Saint-Étienne4.8 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Chamond+1.9 pt | +1.9% | +0.0% | Stronger growth: Saint-Chamond+1.9 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Chamond+0.3 pt | +1.0% | +0.6% | Stronger growth: Saint-Chamond+0.3 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Étienne3.3 times as high | 657 | 2,185 | Denser: Saint-Étienne3.3 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Chamond+0.9 pt | 18.0% | 17.0% | More young people: Saint-Chamond+0.9 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Chamond+2.6 pts | 23.1% | 20.5% | More seniors: Saint-Chamond+2.6 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Chamond+0.27 | 2.22 | 1.95 | Larger households: Saint-Chamond+0.27 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Saint-Chamond | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Chamond+5% | 1,275 | 1,219 | More expensive: Saint-Chamond+5% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Chamond+13% | 2,452 | 2,172 | More expensive: Saint-Chamond+13% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Chamond+17% | 11.5 | 9.9 | More expensive: Saint-Chamond+17% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Chamond+26% | 11.4 | 9.1 | More expensive: Saint-Chamond+26% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Chamond+10 pts | 49.2% | 38.9% | More homeowners: Saint-Chamond+10 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Chamond+21 pts | 31.6% | 10.7% | More houses: Saint-Chamond+21 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Chamond+8.9 pts | 40.8% | 31.9% | More social housing: Saint-Chamond+8.9 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Étienne+1.2 pt | 1.2% | 2.4% | More second homes: Saint-Étienne+1.2 pt |
| Vacant homesTie | 12.0% | 12.0% | Tie |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+4.1 pts | 44.14% | 48.28% | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+4.1 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-Chamond | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Saint-Chamond+9% | 22,710 | 20,880 | Higher: Saint-Chamond+9% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Étienne+7.6 pts | 22.8% | 30.4% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+7.6 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Saint-Chamond+12% | €26,285 | €23,469 | Higher: Saint-Chamond+12% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Saint-Chamond+2.2 pts | 39% | 37% | More taxpaying households: Saint-Chamond+2.2 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Chamond+3.7 pts | 72.1% | 68.3% | Higher: Saint-Chamond+3.7 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Étienne+5.0 pts | 14.0% | 19.0% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+5.0 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Saint-Chamond | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Axel Dugua | Régis Juanico | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous right | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Chamond+1.6 pt | 98% | 97% | Better covered: Saint-Chamond+1.6 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Saint-Chamond | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Étienne+7% | 59.9216 in total | 64.31,123 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Étienne+7% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Chamond+21% | 26.696 in total | 21.9383 in total | More per capita: Saint-Chamond+21% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+50% | 25.090 in total | 37.4653 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+50% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Chamond+18% | 16.961 in total | 14.3250 in total | More per capita: Saint-Chamond+18% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Chamond+16% | 1.76 in total | 1.425 in total | More per capita: Saint-Chamond+16% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne2.1 times as high | 0.62 in total | 1.120 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne2.1 times as high |
| 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 | Saint-Chamond | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Étienne+10% | 3.5 | 3.8 | Better access: Saint-Étienne+10% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+38% | 6.724 in total | 9.2161 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+38% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne3.5 times as high | 4.416 in total | 15.7275 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne3.5 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Chamond+35% | 5.520 in total | 4.172 in total | More per capita: Saint-Chamond+35% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+15% | 2.59 in total | 2.950 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+15% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Étienne+5 | 4 | 9 | More facilities: Saint-Étienne+5 |
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-Chamond | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Étienne+63 | 27 | 90 | More schools: Saint-Étienne+63 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Étienne+19 | 5 | 24 | More middle schools: Saint-Étienne+19 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Étienne+18 | 6 | 24 | More high schools: Saint-Étienne+18 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-Étienne+37 | 2 | 39 | More facilities: Saint-Étienne+37 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Saint-Chamond | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Étienne2.0 times as high | 4.9 | 9.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne2.0 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne2.2 times as high | 7.1 | 15.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne2.2 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+42% | 3.0 | 4.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+42% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+10% | 2.6 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+10% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+52% | 10.0 | 15.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+52% |
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-Chamond | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Chamond+1.1 °C | 12.5°C | 11.4°C | Warmer: Saint-Chamond+1.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearTie | 2,018 | 2,018 | Tie |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Étienne+16% | 682 | 794 | Wetter: Saint-Étienne+16% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Étienne+13 days/year | 92 | 105 | More rainy days: Saint-Étienne+13 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Étienne+14 days/year | 46 | 60 | More frost days: Saint-Étienne+14 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Chamond+7 days/year | 27 | 20 | More hot days: Saint-Chamond+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 | Saint-Chamond | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Étienne+9 | 12 | 21 | More declarations: Saint-Étienne+9 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Étienne+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Saint-Étienne+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Significant | Significant | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Saint-Chamond | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Étienne+46% | 54.9 | 80.0 | Larger: Saint-Étienne+46% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Étienne+149 m | 366 m | 515 m | Higher: Saint-Étienne+149 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Large urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Loire (42) | Loire (42) | Same |
| IntercommunalitySame | Saint-Etienne Métropole | Saint-Etienne Métropole | Same |
| Urban unitSame | Saint-Étienne | Saint-Étienne | Same |
| Functional areaSame | Saint-Étienne | Saint-Étienne | Same |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Saint-Chamond vs Saint-Étienne at a glance
| Criterion | Saint-Chamond | Saint-Étienne |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 36,065 | 174,698 |
| Change over 10 years | +1.0% | +0.6% |
| Density per km² | 657 | 2,185 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,275 | 1,219 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,452 | 2,172 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.5 | 9.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 44.14% | 48.28% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 22,710 | 20,880 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 14.0% | 19.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.5 | 3.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.9 | 9.9 |
| Average temperature | 12.5°C | 11.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,018 | 2,018 |
| Area km² | 54.9 | 80.0 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Saint-Chamond vs Saint-Étienne: your questions
Which is the larger city, Saint-Chamond or Saint-Étienne?
By population, Saint-Étienne: 174,698 inhabitants versus 36,065 for Saint-Chamond (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Étienne is the 14th largest city in France, Saint-Chamond the 236th. By area, Saint-Étienne is also the larger (80.0 km²).
How far is Saint-Chamond from Saint-Étienne?
Saint-Chamond and Saint-Étienne are 12 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 Saint-Chamond or Saint-Étienne?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Chamond is more expensive: €1,275 per m² (median price), versus €1,219 in Saint-Étienne (+5%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Saint-Chamond or Saint-Étienne?
In Saint-Chamond, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,710 a year, versus €20,880 in Saint-Étienne (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Saint-Chamond 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