2026 comparison
Saint-Denis (974) vs Saint-Pierre (974): 2026 comparison
Saint-Denis has more inhabitants than Saint-Pierre: 157,142 versus 85,927, or 83% more. Saint-Denis is both larger (143 km² versus 96.0 km²) and more densely populated (1,101 inhabitants per km² versus 895).
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Pierre: €3,123 per m² versus €2,500. The median standard of living is higher in Saint-Denis (€20,240 a year versus €19,670).
The two cities are 41 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
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-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-DenisSaint-Pierre
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Denis+83% | 157,142 | 85,927 | More populous: Saint-Denis+83% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+3.3 pts | +3.4% | +0.1% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+3.3 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Denis+4.8 pts | +9.3% | +4.5% | Stronger growth: Saint-Denis+4.8 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Denis+23% | 1,101 | 895 | Denser: Saint-Denis+23% |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Denis+0.2 pt | 20.6% | 20.3% | More young people: Saint-Denis+0.2 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Denis+0.8 pt | 14.5% | 13.7% | More seniors: Saint-Denis+0.8 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Pierre+0.14 | 2.23 | 2.37 | Larger households: Saint-Pierre+0.14 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Pierre+25% | 2,500 | 3,123 | More expensive: Saint-Pierre+25% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Denis+0.6% | 3,183 | 3,164 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+0.6% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Pierre+5% | 15.1 | 15.8 | More expensive: Saint-Pierre+5% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Denis+4% | 14.9 | 14.3 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+4% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Pierre+19 pts | 31.5% | 50.4% | More homeowners: Saint-Pierre+19 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Pierre+31 pts | 34.0% | 64.9% | More houses: Saint-Pierre+31 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Denis+16 pts | 38.9% | 23.2% | More social housing: Saint-Denis+16 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Pierre+2.7 pts | 1.8% | 4.4% | More second homes: Saint-Pierre+2.7 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Pierre+0.5 pt | 8.8% | 9.2% | More vacant homes: Saint-Pierre+0.5 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Pierre+9.4 pts | 38.97% | 48.35% | Higher rate: Saint-Pierre+9.4 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-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Saint-Denis+3% | 20,240 | 19,670 | Higher: Saint-Denis+3% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Denis+0.2 pt | 35.0% | 34.8% | Higher: Saint-Denis+0.2 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Saint-Denis+7% | €24,973 | €23,366 | Higher: Saint-Denis+7% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Saint-Denis+3.0 pts | 29% | 26% | More taxpaying households: Saint-Denis+3.0 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Pierre+0.3 pt | 69.9% | 70.2% | Higher: Saint-Pierre+0.3 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Pierre+2.1 pts | 25.4% | 27.4% | Higher: Saint-Pierre+2.1 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Ericka Bareigts | David Lorion | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the left | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Denis+0.7 pt | 97% | 96% | Better covered: Saint-Denis+0.7 pt |
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-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Pierre+35% | 65.21,025 in total | 87.7754 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Pierre+35% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre+33% | 21.3334 in total | 28.2242 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre+33% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre+38% | 47.3744 in total | 65.2560 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre+38% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+5% | 18.7294 in total | 17.8153 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+5% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+9% | 1.422 in total | 1.311 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+9% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre2.3 times as high | 0.812 in total | 1.715 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre2.3 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-Denis | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Pierre+37% | 4.8 | 6.7 | Better access: Saint-Pierre+37% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre+23% | 10.0157 in total | 12.3106 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre+23% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+12% | 13.9219 in total | 12.5107 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+12% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre+57% | 6.8107 in total | 10.792 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre+57% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+12% | 2.945 in total | 2.622 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+12% |
| HospitalsTie | 10 | 10 | Tie |
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-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Denis+35 | 85 | 50 | More schools: Saint-Denis+35 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Denis+5 | 20 | 15 | More middle schools: Saint-Denis+5 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Denis+5 | 14 | 9 | More high schools: Saint-Denis+5 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-Denis+22 | 26 | 4 | More facilities: Saint-Denis+22 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Pierre+90% | 2.1 | 4.0 | Higher rate: Saint-Pierre+90% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Pierre+41% | 4.7 | 6.6 | Higher rate: Saint-Pierre+41% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Pierre+3% | 4.5 | 4.6 | Higher rate: Saint-Pierre+3% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Pierre+7% | 1.0 | 1.1 | Higher rate: Saint-Pierre+7% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Denis+11% | 7.2 | 6.5 | Higher rate: Saint-Denis+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-Denis | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Denis+0.9 °C | 24.5°C | 23.6°C | Warmer: Saint-Denis+0.9 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,567 | — | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Denis+60% | 1,530 | 956 | Wetter: Saint-Denis+60% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Denis+42 days/year | 117 | 75 | More rainy days: Saint-Denis+42 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Pierre+27 days/year | 75 | 101 | More hot days: Saint-Pierre+27 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-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Denis+1 | 21 | 20 | More declarations: Saint-Denis+1 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Pierre+1 | 1 | 2 | More plans: Saint-Pierre+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Denis+49% | 143 | 96.0 | Larger: Saint-Denis+49% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Denis+8 m | 15 m | 8 m | Higher: Saint-Denis+8 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Réunion (974) | Réunion (974) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Intercommunale du Nord de la Réunion (CINOR) | Communauté d'agglomération CIVIS (Communauté Intercommunale des Villes Solidaires) | |
| Urban unit | Saint-Denis | Saint-Pierre | |
| Functional area | Saint-Denis | 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-Denis (974) vs Saint-Pierre (974) at a glance
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Saint-Pierre |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 157,142 | 85,927 |
| Change over 10 years | +9.3% | +4.5% |
| Density per km² | 1,101 | 895 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,500 | 3,123 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,183 | 3,164 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 15.1 | 15.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 38.97% | 48.35% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 20,240 | 19,670 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 25.4% | 27.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.8 | 6.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 2.1 | 4.0 |
| Average temperature | 24.5°C | 23.6°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,567 | — |
| Area km² | 143 | 96.0 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Saint-Denis (974) vs Saint-Pierre (974): your questions
Which is the larger city, Saint-Denis or Saint-Pierre?
By population, Saint-Denis: 157,142 inhabitants versus 85,927 for Saint-Pierre (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Denis is the 20th largest city in France, Saint-Pierre the 55th. By area, Saint-Denis is also the larger (143 km²).
How far is Saint-Denis from Saint-Pierre?
Saint-Denis and Saint-Pierre are 41 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-Denis or Saint-Pierre?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Pierre is more expensive: €3,123 per m² (median price), versus €2,500 in Saint-Denis (+25%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Saint-Denis or Saint-Pierre?
In Saint-Denis, half of the residents have a standard of living above €20,240 a year, versus €19,670 in Saint-Pierre (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Saint-Denis 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