2026 comparison
Saint-Étienne vs Toulouse: 2026 comparison
Toulouse has more inhabitants than Saint-Étienne: 519,940 versus 174,698, or 3.0 times as many. Toulouse is both larger (118 km² versus 80.0 km²) and more densely populated (4,395 inhabitants per km² versus 2,185).
The median apartment price is higher in Toulouse: €3,295 per m² versus €1,219. The median standard of living is higher in Toulouse (€24,500 a year versus €20,880).
The two cities are 309 km apart as the crow flies.
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
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 1876
Saint-ÉtienneToulouse
| Criterion | Saint-Étienne | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Toulouse3.0 times as high | 174,698 | 519,940 | More populous: Toulouse3.0 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Toulouse+5.7 pts | +0.0% | +5.7% | Stronger growth: Toulouse+5.7 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Toulouse+12 pts | +0.6% | +12.3% | Stronger growth: Toulouse+12 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Toulouse2.0 times as high | 2,185 | 4,395 | Denser: Toulouse2.0 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Étienne+3.3 pts | 17.0% | 13.8% | More young people: Saint-Étienne+3.3 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Étienne+7.5 pts | 20.5% | 13.0% | More seniors: Saint-Étienne+7.5 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Étienne+0.17 | 1.95 | 1.78 | Larger households: Saint-Étienne+0.17 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Saint-Étienne | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Toulouse2.7 times as high | 1,219 | 3,295 | More expensive: Toulouse2.7 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Toulouse+75% | 2,172 | 3,800 | More expensive: Toulouse+75% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Toulouse+41% | 9.9 | 14.0 | More expensive: Toulouse+41% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Toulouse+42% | 9.1 | 12.9 | More expensive: Toulouse+42% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Étienne+6.7 pts | 38.9% | 32.2% | More homeowners: Saint-Étienne+6.7 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Toulouse+4.3 pts | 10.7% | 15.0% | More houses: Toulouse+4.3 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Étienne+9.8 pts | 31.9% | 22.1% | More social housing: Saint-Étienne+9.8 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Toulouse+1.6 pt | 2.4% | 4.0% | More second homes: Toulouse+1.6 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+3.8 pts | 12.0% | 8.2% | More vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+3.8 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Toulouse+1.4 pt | 48.28% | 49.67% | Higher rate: Toulouse+1.4 pt |
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-Étienne | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Toulouse+17% | 20,880 | 24,500 | Higher: Toulouse+17% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Étienne+6.4 pts | 30.4% | 24.0% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+6.4 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Toulouse+26% | €23,469 | €29,462 | Higher: Toulouse+26% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Toulouse+11 pts | 37% | 47% | More taxpaying households: Toulouse+11 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Toulouse+4.4 pts | 68.3% | 72.8% | Higher: Toulouse+4.4 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Étienne+4.7 pts | 19.0% | 14.3% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+4.7 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Saint-Étienne | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Régis Juanico | Jean-Luc Moudenc | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the left | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Étienne+3.2 pts | 97% | 93% | Better covered: Saint-Étienne+3.2 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Saint-Étienne | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Étienne+13% | 64.31,123 in total | 56.72,946 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Étienne+13% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+15% | 21.9383 in total | 19.1995 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+15% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Toulouse+27% | 37.4653 in total | 47.32,460 in total | More per capita: Toulouse+27% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Toulouse+13% | 14.3250 in total | 16.1838 in total | More per capita: Toulouse+13% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+9% | 1.425 in total | 1.368 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+9% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Toulouse+66% | 1.120 in total | 1.999 in total | More per capita: Toulouse+66% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Toulouse+5 | 5 | 10 | More stations: Toulouse+5 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Saint-Étienne | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Toulouse+16% | 3.8 | 4.4 | Better access: Toulouse+16% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Toulouse+17% | 9.2161 in total | 10.8559 in total | More per capita: Toulouse+17% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Toulouse+67% | 15.7275 in total | 26.31,366 in total | More per capita: Toulouse+67% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Toulouse2.3 times as high | 4.172 in total | 9.3486 in total | More per capita: Toulouse2.3 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 2.950 in total | 2.9152 in total | Tie |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Toulouse+32 | 9 | 41 | More facilities: Toulouse+32 |
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-Étienne | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Toulouse+131 | 90 | 221 | More schools: Toulouse+131 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Toulouse+27 | 24 | 51 | More middle schools: Toulouse+27 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Toulouse+40 | 24 | 64 | More high schools: Toulouse+40 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Toulouse+130 | 39 | 169 | More facilities: Toulouse+130 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Saint-Étienne | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Étienne+56% | 9.9 | 6.4 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+56% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Toulouse+34% | 15.3 | 20.5 | Higher rate: Toulouse+34% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Toulouse+15% | 4.3 | 5.0 | Higher rate: Toulouse+15% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+35% | 2.8 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+35% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+33% | 15.2 | 11.5 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+33% |
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-Étienne | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Toulouse+2.8 °C | 11.4°C | 14.2°C | Warmer: Toulouse+2.8 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Toulouse+3% | 2,018 | 2,075 | Sunnier: Toulouse+3% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Étienne+27% | 794 | 627 | Wetter: Saint-Étienne+27% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Étienne+9 days/year | 105 | 96 | More rainy days: Saint-Étienne+9 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Étienne+33 days/year | 60 | 27 | More frost days: Saint-Étienne+33 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Toulouse+13 days/year | 20 | 33 | More hot days: Toulouse+13 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-Étienne | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Toulouse+27 | 21 | 48 | More declarations: Toulouse+27 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Toulouse+2 | 2 | 4 | More plans: Toulouse+2 |
| Radon potential | Significant | Low |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Saint-Étienne | Toulouse | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Toulouse+48% | 80.0 | 118 | Larger: Toulouse+48% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Étienne+372 m | 515 m | 143 m | Higher: Saint-Étienne+372 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| Department | Loire (42) | Haute-Garonne (31) | |
| Intercommunality | Saint-Etienne Métropole | Toulouse Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Saint-Étienne | Toulouse | |
| Functional area | Saint-Étienne | Toulouse |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Saint-Étienne vs Toulouse at a glance
| Criterion | Saint-Étienne | Toulouse |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 174,698 | 519,940 |
| Change over 10 years | +0.6% | +12.3% |
| Density per km² | 2,185 | 4,395 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,219 | 3,295 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,172 | 3,800 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 9.9 | 14.0 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 48.28% | 49.67% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 20,880 | 24,500 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 19.0% | 14.3% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 93% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.8 | 4.4 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 9.9 | 6.4 |
| Average temperature | 11.4°C | 14.2°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,018 | 2,075 |
| Area km² | 80.0 | 118 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Saint-Étienne vs Toulouse: your questions
Which is the larger city, Saint-Étienne or Toulouse?
By population, Toulouse: 519,940 inhabitants versus 174,698 for Saint-Étienne (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Toulouse is the 4th largest city in France, Saint-Étienne the 14th. By area, Toulouse is also the larger (118 km²).
How far is Saint-Étienne from Toulouse?
Saint-Étienne and Toulouse are 309 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Saint-Étienne or Toulouse?
To buy an apartment, Toulouse is more expensive: €3,295 per m² (median price), versus €1,219 in Saint-Étienne (+170%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Saint-Étienne or Toulouse?
In Toulouse, half of the residents have a standard of living above €24,500 a year, versus €20,880 in Saint-Étienne (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Saint-Étienne or Toulouse?
Toulouse: 2,075 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