2026 comparison
Saint-Denis (974) vs Villeurbanne: 2026 comparison
Villeurbanne has more inhabitants than Saint-Denis: 164,747 versus 157,142, or 4.8% more. Saint-Denis covers a larger area (143 km² versus 14.5 km²), but Villeurbanne is more densely populated: 11,346 inhabitants per km² versus 1,101.
The median apartment price is higher in Villeurbanne: €3,806 per m² versus €2,500. The median standard of living is higher in Villeurbanne (€24,160 a year versus €20,240).
The two cities are 8,998 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
Villeurbanne
City in Rhône
- Population
- 164,747 inhab.
- 17th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 14.5 km²
- Density
- 11,346 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1954
Saint-DenisVilleurbanne
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Villeurbanne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Villeurbanne+5% | 157,142 | 164,747 | More populous: Villeurbanne+5% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Villeurbanne+5.3 pts | +3.4% | +8.6% | Stronger growth: Villeurbanne+5.3 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Villeurbanne+1.9 pt | +9.3% | +11.2% | Stronger growth: Villeurbanne+1.9 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Villeurbanne10 times as high | 1,101 | 11,346 | Denser: Villeurbanne10 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Denis+4.2 pts | 20.6% | 16.4% | More young people: Saint-Denis+4.2 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Denis+1.0 pt | 14.5% | 13.6% | More seniors: Saint-Denis+1.0 pt |
| 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 | Villeurbanne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Villeurbanne+52% | 2,500 | 3,806 | More expensive: Villeurbanne+52% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Villeurbanne+42% | 3,183 | 4,505 | More expensive: Villeurbanne+42% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Villeurbanne+4% | 15.1 | 15.6 | More expensive: Villeurbanne+4% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Villeurbanne+5% | 14.9 | 15.7 | More expensive: Villeurbanne+5% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Villeurbanne+3.1 pts | 31.5% | 34.6% | More homeowners: Villeurbanne+3.1 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Denis+29 pts | 34.0% | 4.8% | More houses: Saint-Denis+29 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Denis+7.9 pts | 38.9% | 31.0% | More social housing: Saint-Denis+7.9 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Villeurbanne+1.7 pt | 1.8% | 3.5% | More second homes: Villeurbanne+1.7 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Denis+0.6 pt | 8.8% | 8.1% | More vacant homes: Saint-Denis+0.6 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Denis+4.7 pts | 38.97% | 34.32% | Higher rate: Saint-Denis+4.7 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 | Villeurbanne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Villeurbanne+19% | 20,240 | 24,160 | Higher: Villeurbanne+19% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Denis+12 pts | 35.0% | 23.1% | Higher: Saint-Denis+12 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Villeurbanne+6% | €24,973 | €26,493 | Higher: Villeurbanne+6% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Villeurbanne+18 pts | 29% | 47% | More taxpaying households: Villeurbanne+18 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Villeurbanne+3.4 pts | 69.9% | 73.3% | Higher: Villeurbanne+3.4 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Denis+12 pts | 25.4% | 13.0% | Higher: Saint-Denis+12 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Villeurbanne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Ericka Bareigts | Cédric Van Styvendael | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | union of the left | union of the left | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Denis+3.4 pts | 97% | 94% | Better covered: Saint-Denis+3.4 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 | Villeurbanne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Denis+73% | 65.21,025 in total | 37.6620 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Denis+73% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+32% | 21.3334 in total | 16.1266 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+32% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+38% | 47.3744 in total | 34.3565 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+38% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+88% | 18.7294 in total | 10.0164 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+88% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+77% | 1.422 in total | 0.813 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+77% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis2.1 times as high | 0.812 in total | 0.46 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis2.1 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 | Villeurbanne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Denis+25% | 4.8 | 3.9 | Better access: Saint-Denis+25% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+16% | 10.0157 in total | 8.6142 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+16% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Villeurbanne2.1 times as high | 13.9219 in total | 29.6487 in total | More per capita: Villeurbanne2.1 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+30% | 6.8107 in total | 5.286 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+30% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Denis+21% | 2.945 in total | 2.439 in total | More per capita: Saint-Denis+21% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Denis+5 | 10 | 5 | More facilities: Saint-Denis+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-Denis | Villeurbanne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Denis+25 | 85 | 60 | More schools: Saint-Denis+25 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Denis+1 | 20 | 19 | More middle schools: Saint-Denis+1 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Denis+4 | 14 | 10 | More high schools: Saint-Denis+4 |
| Higher education institutions and programsTie | 26 | 26 | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Villeurbanne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Villeurbanne2.7 times as high | 2.1 | 5.7 | Higher rate: Villeurbanne2.7 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Villeurbanne4.0 times as high | 4.7 | 18.5 | Higher rate: Villeurbanne4.0 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Denis+18% | 4.5 | 3.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Denis+18% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Villeurbanne2.8 times as high | 1.0 | 2.8 | Higher rate: Villeurbanne2.8 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Villeurbanne2.0 times as high | 7.2 | 14.8 | Higher rate: Villeurbanne2.0 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 | Villeurbanne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Denis+11.5 °C | 24.5°C | 13.0°C | Warmer: Saint-Denis+11.5 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Saint-Denis+25% | 2,567 | 2,050 | Sunnier: Saint-Denis+25% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Denis+86% | 1,530 | 821 | Wetter: Saint-Denis+86% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Denis+14 days/year | 117 | 103 | More rainy days: Saint-Denis+14 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Villeurbanne+42 days/year | 0 | 42 | More frost days: Villeurbanne+42 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Denis+44 days/year | 75 | 31 | More hot days: Saint-Denis+44 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 | Villeurbanne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Denis+9 | 21 | 12 | More declarations: Saint-Denis+9 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Villeurbanne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Denis9.8 times as high | 143 | 14.5 | Larger: Saint-Denis9.8 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Villeurbanne+154 m | 15 m | 169 m | Higher: Villeurbanne+154 m |
| Coastal commune | Yes (sea) | No | |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Réunion (974) | Rhône (69) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Intercommunale du Nord de la Réunion (CINOR) | Métropole de Lyon | |
| Urban unit | Saint-Denis | Lyon | |
| Functional area | Saint-Denis | Lyon |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Saint-Denis (974) vs Villeurbanne at a glance
| Criterion | Saint-Denis | Villeurbanne |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 157,142 | 164,747 |
| Change over 10 years | +9.3% | +11.2% |
| Density per km² | 1,101 | 11,346 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,500 | 3,806 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,183 | 4,505 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 15.1 | 15.6 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 38.97% | 34.32% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 20,240 | 24,160 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 25.4% | 13.0% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 94% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.8 | 3.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 2.1 | 5.7 |
| Average temperature | 24.5°C | 13.0°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,567 | 2,050 |
| Area km² | 143 | 14.5 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Saint-Denis (974) vs Villeurbanne: your questions
Which is the larger city, Saint-Denis or Villeurbanne?
By population, Villeurbanne: 164,747 inhabitants versus 157,142 for Saint-Denis (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Villeurbanne is the 17th largest city in France, Saint-Denis the 20th. By area, Saint-Denis is the larger (143 km²).
How far is Saint-Denis from Villeurbanne?
Saint-Denis and Villeurbanne are 8,998 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Saint-Denis or Villeurbanne?
To buy an apartment, Villeurbanne is more expensive: €3,806 per m² (median price), versus €2,500 in Saint-Denis (+52%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Saint-Denis or Villeurbanne?
In Villeurbanne, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,160 a year, versus €20,240 in Saint-Denis (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Saint-Denis or Villeurbanne?
Saint-Denis: 2,567 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 2,050 in Villeurbanne (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