2026 comparison
Saint-Denis (974) vs Saint-Étienne: 2026 comparison
Saint-Étienne has more inhabitants than Saint-Denis: 174,698 versus 157,142, or 11% more. Saint-Denis covers a larger area (143 km² versus 80.0 km²), but Saint-Étienne is more densely populated: 2,185 inhabitants per km² versus 1,101.
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Denis: €2,500 per m² versus €1,219. The median standard of living is higher in Saint-Étienne (€20,880 a year versus €20,240).
The two cities are 9,002 km apart as the crow flies.
Saint-Denis
City in Réunion
- Population
- 157,142 inhab.
- 20th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 143 km²
- Density
- 1,101 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 1954
Saint-DenisSaint-Étienne
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Étienne+11% | 157,142 | 174,698 | More populous: Saint-Étienne+11% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+3.4 pts | +3.4% | +0.0% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+3.4 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+8.6 pts | +9.3% | +0.6% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+8.6 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Étienne+99% | 1,101 | 2,185 | Denser: Saint-Étienne+99% |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Denis+3.6 pts | 20.6% | 17.0% | More young people: Saint-Denis+3.6 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Étienne+6.0 pts | 14.5% | 20.5% | More seniors: Saint-Étienne+6.0 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Denis+0.28 | 2.23 | 1.95 | Larger households: Saint-Denis+0.28 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Denis2.1 times as high | 2,500 | 1,219 | More expensive: Saint-Denis2.1 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Denis+47% | 3,183 | 2,172 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+47% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Denis+53% | 15.1 | 9.9 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+53% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Denis+65% | 14.9 | 9.1 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+65% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Étienne+7.4 pts | 31.5% | 38.9% | More homeowners: Saint-Étienne+7.4 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Denis+23 pts | 34.0% | 10.7% | More houses: Saint-Denis+23 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Denis+7.0 pts | 38.9% | 31.9% | More social housing: Saint-Denis+7.0 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Étienne+0.6 pt | 1.8% | 2.4% | More second homes: Saint-Étienne+0.6 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+3.3 pts | 8.8% | 12.0% | More vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+3.3 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+9.3 pts | 38.97% | 48.28% | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+9.3 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-Denis | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Saint-Étienne+3% | 20,240 | 20,880 | Higher: Saint-Étienne+3% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Denis+4.6 pts | 35.0% | 30.4% | Higher: Saint-Denis+4.6 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Saint-Denis+6% | €24,973 | €23,469 | Higher: Saint-Denis+6% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Saint-Étienne+8.2 pts | 29% | 37% | More taxpaying households: Saint-Étienne+8.2 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Denis+1.5 pt | 69.9% | 68.3% | Higher: Saint-Denis+1.5 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Denis+6.4 pts | 25.4% | 19.0% | Higher: Saint-Denis+6.4 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Ericka Bareigts | Régis Juanico | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | union of the left | union of the left | Same |
| Premises with fiberTie | 97% | 97% | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Denis+1% | 65.21,025 in total | 64.31,123 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Denis+1% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+3% | 21.3334 in total | 21.9383 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+3% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+27% | 47.3744 in total | 37.4653 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+27% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+31% | 18.7294 in total | 14.3250 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+31% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 1.422 in total | 1.425 in total | Tie |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+50% | 0.812 in total | 1.120 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+50% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Saint-Étienne+5 | 0 | 5 | More stations: Saint-Étienne+5 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Denis+27% | 4.8 | 3.8 | Better access: Saint-Denis+27% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+8% | 10.0157 in total | 9.2161 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+8% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+13% | 13.9219 in total | 15.7275 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+13% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+65% | 6.8107 in total | 4.172 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+65% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 2.945 in total | 2.950 in total | Tie |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Denis+1 | 10 | 9 | More facilities: Saint-Denis+1 |
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-Denis | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Étienne+5 | 85 | 90 | More schools: Saint-Étienne+5 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Étienne+4 | 20 | 24 | More middle schools: Saint-Étienne+4 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Étienne+10 | 14 | 24 | More high schools: Saint-Étienne+10 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-Étienne+13 | 26 | 39 | More facilities: Saint-Étienne+13 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Étienne4.7 times as high | 2.1 | 9.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne4.7 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne3.3 times as high | 4.7 | 15.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne3.3 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Denis+4% | 4.5 | 4.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Denis+4% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne2.8 times as high | 1.0 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne2.8 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne2.1 times as high | 7.2 | 15.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne2.1 times as high |
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-Denis | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Denis+13.1 °C | 24.5°C | 11.4°C | Warmer: Saint-Denis+13.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Saint-Denis+27% | 2,567 | 2,018 | Sunnier: Saint-Denis+27% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Denis+93% | 1,530 | 794 | Wetter: Saint-Denis+93% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Denis+12 days/year | 117 | 105 | More rainy days: Saint-Denis+12 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Étienne+60 days/year | 0 | 60 | More frost days: Saint-Étienne+60 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Denis+54 days/year | 75 | 20 | More hot days: Saint-Denis+54 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-Denis | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982Tie | 21 | 21 | Tie |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Étienne+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Saint-Étienne+1 |
| Radon potential | Low | Significant |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Saint-Étienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Denis+79% | 143 | 80.0 | Larger: Saint-Denis+79% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Étienne+499 m | 15 m | 515 m | Higher: Saint-Étienne+499 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Réunion (974) | Loire (42) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Intercommunale du Nord de la Réunion (CINOR) | Saint-Etienne Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Saint-Denis | Saint-Étienne | |
| Functional area | Saint-Denis | Saint-Étienne |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Saint-Denis (974) vs Saint-Étienne at a glance
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Saint-Étienne |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 157,142 | 174,698 |
| Change over 10 years | +9.3% | +0.6% |
| Density per km² | 1,101 | 2,185 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,500 | 1,219 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,183 | 2,172 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 15.1 | 9.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 38.97% | 48.28% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 20,240 | 20,880 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 25.4% | 19.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.8 | 3.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 2.1 | 9.9 |
| Average temperature | 24.5°C | 11.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,567 | 2,018 |
| Area km² | 143 | 80.0 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Saint-Denis (974) vs Saint-Étienne: your questions
Which is the larger city, Saint-Denis or Saint-Étienne?
By population, Saint-Étienne: 174,698 inhabitants versus 157,142 for Saint-Denis (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Étienne is the 14th largest city in France, Saint-Denis the 20th. By area, Saint-Denis is the larger (143 km²).
How far is Saint-Denis from Saint-Étienne?
Saint-Denis and Saint-Étienne are 9,002 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Saint-Denis or Saint-Étienne?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Denis is more expensive: €2,500 per m² (median price), versus €1,219 in Saint-Étienne (+105%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Saint-Denis or Saint-Étienne?
In Saint-Étienne, half of the residents have a standard of living above €20,880 a year, versus €20,240 in Saint-Denis (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Saint-Denis or Saint-Étienne?
Saint-Denis: 2,567 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 2,018 in Saint-Étienne (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