2026 comparison
Saint-Denis (974) vs Toulouse: 2026 comparison
Toulouse has more inhabitants than Saint-Denis: 519,940 versus 157,142, or 3.3 times as many. Saint-Denis covers a larger area (143 km² versus 118 km²), but Toulouse is more densely populated: 4,395 inhabitants per km² versus 1,101.
The median apartment price is higher in Toulouse: €3,295 per m² versus €2,500. The median standard of living is higher in Toulouse (€24,500 a year versus €20,240).
The two cities are 9,042 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
Toulouse
City in Haute-Garonne
- Population
- 519,940 inhab.
- 4th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 118 km²
- Density
- 4,395 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1954
Saint-DenisToulouse
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Toulouse3.3 times as high | 157,142 | 519,940 | More populous: Toulouse3.3 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Toulouse+2.4 pts | +3.4% | +5.7% | Stronger growth: Toulouse+2.4 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Toulouse+3.1 pts | +9.3% | +12.3% | Stronger growth: Toulouse+3.1 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Toulouse4.0 times as high | 1,101 | 4,395 | Denser: Toulouse4.0 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Denis+6.8 pts | 20.6% | 13.8% | More young people: Saint-Denis+6.8 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Denis+1.6 pt | 14.5% | 13.0% | More seniors: Saint-Denis+1.6 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Denis+0.45 | 2.23 | 1.78 | Larger households: Saint-Denis+0.45 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Toulouse+32% | 2,500 | 3,295 | More expensive: Toulouse+32% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Toulouse+19% | 3,183 | 3,800 | More expensive: Toulouse+19% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Denis+8% | 15.1 | 14.0 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+8% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Denis+16% | 14.9 | 12.9 | More expensive: Saint-Denis+16% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Toulouse+0.7 pt | 31.5% | 32.2% | More homeowners: Toulouse+0.7 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Denis+19 pts | 34.0% | 15.0% | More houses: Saint-Denis+19 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Denis+17 pts | 38.9% | 22.1% | More social housing: Saint-Denis+17 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Toulouse+2.2 pts | 1.8% | 4.0% | More second homes: Toulouse+2.2 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Denis+0.5 pt | 8.8% | 8.2% | More vacant homes: Saint-Denis+0.5 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Toulouse+11 pts | 38.97% | 49.67% | Higher rate: Toulouse+11 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 | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Toulouse+21% | 20,240 | 24,500 | Higher: Toulouse+21% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Denis+11 pts | 35.0% | 24.0% | Higher: Saint-Denis+11 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Toulouse+18% | €24,973 | €29,462 | Higher: Toulouse+18% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Toulouse+19 pts | 29% | 47% | More taxpaying households: Toulouse+19 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Toulouse+2.9 pts | 69.9% | 72.8% | Higher: Toulouse+2.9 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Denis+11 pts | 25.4% | 14.3% | Higher: Saint-Denis+11 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Ericka Bareigts | Jean-Luc Moudenc | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the left | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Denis+3.7 pts | 97% | 93% | Better covered: Saint-Denis+3.7 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Denis+15% | 65.21,025 in total | 56.72,946 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Denis+15% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+11% | 21.3334 in total | 19.1995 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+11% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 47.3744 in total | 47.32,460 in total | Tie |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+16% | 18.7294 in total | 16.1838 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+16% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+7% | 1.422 in total | 1.368 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+7% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Toulouse2.5 times as high | 0.812 in total | 1.999 in total | More per capita: Toulouse2.5 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Toulouse+10 | 0 | 10 | More stations: Toulouse+10 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Denis+10% | 4.8 | 4.4 | Better access: Saint-Denis+10% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Toulouse+8% | 10.0157 in total | 10.8559 in total | More per capita: Toulouse+8% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Toulouse+89% | 13.9219 in total | 26.31,366 in total | More per capita: Toulouse+89% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Toulouse+37% | 6.8107 in total | 9.3486 in total | More per capita: Toulouse+37% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 2.945 in total | 2.9152 in total | Tie |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Toulouse+31 | 10 | 41 | More facilities: Toulouse+31 |
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 | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Toulouse+136 | 85 | 221 | More schools: Toulouse+136 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Toulouse+31 | 20 | 51 | More middle schools: Toulouse+31 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Toulouse+50 | 14 | 64 | More high schools: Toulouse+50 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Toulouse+143 | 26 | 169 | More facilities: Toulouse+143 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Toulouse3.0 times as high | 2.1 | 6.4 | Higher rate: Toulouse3.0 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Toulouse4.4 times as high | 4.7 | 20.5 | Higher rate: Toulouse4.4 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Toulouse+10% | 4.5 | 5.0 | Higher rate: Toulouse+10% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Toulouse2.1 times as high | 1.0 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Toulouse2.1 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Toulouse+58% | 7.2 | 11.5 | Higher rate: Toulouse+58% |
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 | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Denis+10.3 °C | 24.5°C | 14.2°C | Warmer: Saint-Denis+10.3 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Saint-Denis+24% | 2,567 | 2,075 | Sunnier: Saint-Denis+24% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Denis2.4 times as high | 1,530 | 627 | Wetter: Saint-Denis2.4 times as high |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Denis+21 days/year | 117 | 96 | More rainy days: Saint-Denis+21 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Toulouse+27 days/year | 0 | 27 | More frost days: Toulouse+27 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Denis+41 days/year | 75 | 33 | More hot days: Saint-Denis+41 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 | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Toulouse+27 | 21 | 48 | More declarations: Toulouse+27 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Toulouse+3 | 1 | 4 | More plans: Toulouse+3 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Denis+21% | 143 | 118 | Larger: Saint-Denis+21% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Toulouse+128 m | 15 m | 143 m | Higher: Toulouse+128 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Réunion (974) | Haute-Garonne (31) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Intercommunale du Nord de la Réunion (CINOR) | Toulouse Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Saint-Denis | Toulouse | |
| Functional area | Saint-Denis | Toulouse |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Saint-Denis (974) vs Toulouse at a glance
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Toulouse |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 157,142 | 519,940 |
| Change over 10 years | +9.3% | +12.3% |
| Density per km² | 1,101 | 4,395 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,500 | 3,295 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,183 | 3,800 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 15.1 | 14.0 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 38.97% | 49.67% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 20,240 | 24,500 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 25.4% | 14.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 93% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.8 | 4.4 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 2.1 | 6.4 |
| Average temperature | 24.5°C | 14.2°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,567 | 2,075 |
| Area km² | 143 | 118 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Saint-Denis (974) vs Toulouse: your questions
Which is the larger city, Saint-Denis or Toulouse?
By population, Toulouse: 519,940 inhabitants versus 157,142 for Saint-Denis (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Toulouse is the 4th largest city in France, Saint-Denis the 20th. By area, Saint-Denis is the larger (143 km²).
How far is Saint-Denis from Toulouse?
Saint-Denis and Toulouse are 9,042 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Saint-Denis or Toulouse?
To buy an apartment, Toulouse is more expensive: €3,295 per m² (median price), versus €2,500 in Saint-Denis (+32%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Saint-Denis or Toulouse?
In Toulouse, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,500 a year, versus €20,240 in Saint-Denis (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Saint-Denis or Toulouse?
Saint-Denis: 2,567 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 2,075 in Toulouse (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