2026 comparison
Saint-Étienne vs Vienne: 2026 comparison
Saint-Étienne has more inhabitants than Vienne: 174,698 versus 32,216, or 5.4 times as many. Saint-Étienne is both larger (80.0 km² versus 22.7 km²) and more densely populated (2,185 inhabitants per km² versus 1,422).
The median apartment price is higher in Vienne: €2,334 per m² versus €1,219. The median standard of living is higher in Vienne (€23,840 a year versus €20,880).
The two cities are 42 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
Vienne
City in Isère
- Population
- 32,216 inhab.
- 263rd in France · 4th in its department
- Area
- 22.7 km²
- Density
- 1,422 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Saint-ÉtienneVienne
| Criterion | Saint-Étienne | Vienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Étienne5.4 times as high | 174,698 | 32,216 | More populous: Saint-Étienne5.4 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Vienne+7.4 pts | +0.0% | +7.4% | Stronger growth: Vienne+7.4 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Vienne+7.7 pts | +0.6% | +8.4% | Stronger growth: Vienne+7.7 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Étienne+54% | 2,185 | 1,422 | Denser: Saint-Étienne+54% |
| Under 15More young people: Vienne+1.1 pt | 17.0% | 18.1% | More young people: Vienne+1.1 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Étienne+0.3 pt | 20.5% | 20.3% | More seniors: Saint-Étienne+0.3 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Vienne+0.09 | 1.95 | 2.04 | Larger households: Vienne+0.09 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Saint-Étienne | Vienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Vienne+91% | 1,219 | 2,334 | More expensive: Vienne+91% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Vienne+44% | 2,172 | 3,125 | More expensive: Vienne+44% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Vienne+25% | 9.9 | 12.3 | More expensive: Vienne+25% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Vienne+37% | 9.1 | 12.4 | More expensive: Vienne+37% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Vienne+1.8 pt | 38.9% | 40.6% | More homeowners: Vienne+1.8 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Vienne+12 pts | 10.7% | 22.6% | More houses: Vienne+12 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Vienne+0.1 pt | 31.9% | 32.0% | More social housing: Vienne+0.1 pt |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Étienne+0.6 pt | 2.4% | 1.8% | More second homes: Saint-Étienne+0.6 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+3.3 pts | 12.0% | 8.7% | More vacant homes: Saint-Étienne+3.3 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+3.4 pts | 48.28% | 44.92% | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+3.4 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-Étienne | Vienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Vienne+14% | 20,880 | 23,840 | Higher: Vienne+14% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Étienne+7.8 pts | 30.4% | 22.6% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+7.8 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Vienne+27% | €23,469 | €29,814 | Higher: Vienne+27% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Vienne+7.9 pts | 37% | 45% | More taxpaying households: Vienne+7.9 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Vienne+5.9 pts | 68.3% | 74.2% | Higher: Vienne+5.9 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Étienne+7.8 pts | 19.0% | 11.2% | Higher: Saint-Étienne+7.8 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Saint-Étienne | Vienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Régis Juanico | Thierry Kovacs | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the left | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Vienne+1.9 pt | 97% | 98% | Better covered: Vienne+1.9 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Saint-Étienne | Vienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Vienne+36% | 64.31,123 in total | 87.5282 in total | More shops per capita: Vienne+36% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Étienne+2% | 21.9383 in total | 21.469 in total | More per capita: Saint-Étienne+2% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vienne+20% | 37.4653 in total | 45.0145 in total | More per capita: Vienne+20% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vienne+32% | 14.3250 in total | 18.961 in total | More per capita: Vienne+32% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vienne2.4 times as high | 1.425 in total | 3.411 in total | More per capita: Vienne2.4 times as high |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vienne+36% | 1.120 in total | 1.65 in total | More per capita: Vienne+36% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Saint-Étienne+3 | 5 | 2 | More stations: Saint-Étienne+3 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Saint-Étienne | Vienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Étienne+5% | 3.8 | 3.6 | Better access: Saint-Étienne+5% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vienne+1% | 9.2161 in total | 9.330 in total | More per capita: Vienne+1% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vienne+16% | 15.7275 in total | 18.359 in total | More per capita: Vienne+16% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vienne4.5 times as high | 4.172 in total | 18.660 in total | More per capita: Vienne4.5 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vienne+30% | 2.950 in total | 3.712 in total | More per capita: Vienne+30% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Étienne+5 | 9 | 4 | More facilities: Saint-Étienne+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-Étienne | Vienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Étienne+70 | 90 | 20 | More schools: Saint-Étienne+70 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Étienne+19 | 24 | 5 | More middle schools: Saint-Étienne+19 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Étienne+18 | 24 | 6 | More high schools: Saint-Étienne+18 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-Étienne+36 | 39 | 3 | More facilities: Saint-Étienne+36 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Saint-Étienne | Vienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Étienne+57% | 9.9 | 6.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+57% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+51% | 15.3 | 10.1 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+51% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+4% | 4.3 | 4.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+4% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+31% | 2.8 | 2.1 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+31% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+32% | 15.2 | 11.5 | Higher rate: Saint-Étienne+32% |
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 | Vienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Vienne+1.5 °C | 11.4°C | 12.9°C | Warmer: Vienne+1.5 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Vienne+2% | 2,018 | 2,050 | Sunnier: Vienne+2% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Étienne+2% | 794 | 776 | Wetter: Saint-Étienne+2% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Étienne+10 days/year | 105 | 95 | More rainy days: Saint-Étienne+10 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Étienne+20 days/year | 60 | 40 | More frost days: Saint-Étienne+20 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Vienne+13 days/year | 20 | 33 | More hot days: Vienne+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 | Vienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Étienne+1 | 21 | 20 | More declarations: Saint-Étienne+1 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Étienne+1 | 2 | 1 | More plans: Saint-Étienne+1 |
| Radon potentialSame | Significant | Significant | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Saint-Étienne | Vienne | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Étienne3.5 times as high | 80.0 | 22.7 | Larger: Saint-Étienne3.5 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Étienne+345 m | 515 m | 169 m | Higher: Saint-Étienne+345 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| Department | Loire (42) | Isère (38) | |
| Intercommunality | Saint-Etienne Métropole | Communauté d'agglomération Vienne Condrieu | |
| Urban unit | Saint-Étienne | Vienne | |
| Functional area | Saint-Étienne | Lyon |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Saint-Étienne vs Vienne at a glance
| Criterion | Saint-Étienne | Vienne |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 174,698 | 32,216 |
| Change over 10 years | +0.6% | +8.4% |
| Density per km² | 2,185 | 1,422 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,219 | 2,334 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,172 | 3,125 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 9.9 | 12.3 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 48.28% | 44.92% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 20,880 | 23,840 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 19.0% | 11.2% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 98% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 3.8 | 3.6 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 9.9 | 6.3 |
| Average temperature | 11.4°C | 12.9°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,018 | 2,050 |
| Area km² | 80.0 | 22.7 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Saint-Étienne vs Vienne: your questions
Which is the larger city, Saint-Étienne or Vienne?
By population, Saint-Étienne: 174,698 inhabitants versus 32,216 for Vienne (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Étienne is the 14th largest city in France, Vienne the 263rd. By area, Saint-Étienne is also the larger (80.0 km²).
How far is Saint-Étienne from Vienne?
Saint-Étienne and Vienne are 42 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Saint-Étienne or Vienne?
To buy an apartment, Vienne is more expensive: €2,334 per m² (median price), versus €1,219 in Saint-Étienne (+91%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Saint-Étienne or Vienne?
In Vienne, half of the residents have a standard of living above €23,840 a year, versus €20,880 in Saint-Étienne (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Saint-Étienne or Vienne?
Vienne: 2,050 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