2026 comparison
Saint-Germain-en-Laye vs Versailles: 2026 comparison
Versailles has more inhabitants than Saint-Germain-en-Laye: 85,750 versus 47,628, or 80% more. Saint-Germain-en-Laye covers a larger area (51.9 km² versus 26.2 km²), but Versailles is more densely populated: 3,275 inhabitants per km² versus 917.
The median apartment price is higher in Versailles: €6,829 per m² versus €6,547. The median standard of living is higher in Versailles (€38,530 a year versus €37,970).
The two cities are 14 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department and the same urban unit (Paris).
Saint-Germain-en-Laye
City in Yvelines
- Population
- 47,628 inhab.
- 145th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 51.9 km²
- Density
- 917 per km²
Versailles
City in Yvelines
- Population
- 85,750 inhab.
- 56th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 26.2 km²
- Density
- 3,275 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Saint-Germain-en-LayeVersailles
| Criterion | Saint-Germain-en-Laye | Versailles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Versailles+80% | 47,628 | 85,750 | More populous: Versailles+80% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+4.0 pts | +2.6% | −1.4% | Stronger growth: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+4.0 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+6.8 pts | +5.4% | −1.4% | Stronger growth: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+6.8 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Versailles3.6 times as high | 917 | 3,275 | Denser: Versailles3.6 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+1.4 pt | 19.1% | 17.8% | More young people: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+1.4 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Versailles+0.5 pt | 18.2% | 18.6% | More seniors: Versailles+0.5 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+0.03 | 2.18 | 2.15 | Larger households: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+0.03 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Saint-Germain-en-Laye | Versailles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Versailles+4% | 6,547 | 6,829 | More expensive: Versailles+4% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Versailles+26% | 7,193 | 9,059 | More expensive: Versailles+26% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Versailles+3% | 23.5 | 24.3 | More expensive: Versailles+3% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+7% | 26.0 | 24.3 | More expensive: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+7% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+6.3 pts | 49.1% | 42.8% | More homeowners: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+6.3 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+9.7 pts | 19.8% | 10.1% | More houses: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+9.7 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+2.3 pts | 25.2% | 22.9% | More social housing: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+2.3 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Versailles+0.7 pt | 4.2% | 4.8% | More second homes: Versailles+0.7 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Versailles+3.7 pts | 4.3% | 8.0% | More vacant homes: Versailles+3.7 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Versailles+1.8 pt | 24.95% | 26.79% | Higher rate: Versailles+1.8 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-Germain-en-Laye | Versailles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Versailles+1% | 37,970 | 38,530 | Higher: Versailles+1% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+1.6 pt | 9.5% | 7.9% | Higher: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+1.6 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+10% | €69,214 | €63,037 | Higher: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+10% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Versailles+2.0 pt | 66% | 68% | More taxpaying households: Versailles+2.0 pt |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+0.6 pt | 76.8% | 76.2% | Higher: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+0.6 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+1.4 pt | 9.5% | 8.1% | Higher: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+1.4 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Saint-Germain-en-Laye | Versailles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Arnaud Pericard | François de Mazières | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberTie | 95% | 95% | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Saint-Germain-en-Laye | Versailles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+20% | 78.9376 in total | 66.0566 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+20% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+4% | 23.1110 in total | 22.2190 in total | More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+4% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Versailles+29% | 31.7151 in total | 41.0352 in total | More per capita: Versailles+29% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+22% | 14.770 in total | 12.0103 in total | More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+22% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+17% | 2.713 in total | 2.320 in total | More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+17% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Versailles+19% | 1.57 in total | 1.715 in total | More per capita: Versailles+19% |
| Passenger train stationsMore stations: Versailles+3 | 2 | 5 | More stations: Versailles+3 |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Saint-Germain-en-Laye | Versailles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Versailles+13% | 2.4 | 2.7 | Better access: Versailles+13% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Versailles+18% | 8.038 in total | 9.481 in total | More per capita: Versailles+18% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Versailles+25% | 22.9109 in total | 28.7246 in total | More per capita: Versailles+25% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+9% | 10.148 in total | 9.279 in total | More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+9% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+8% | 3.115 in total | 2.925 in total | More per capita: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+8% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Versailles+1 | 4 | 5 | More facilities: Versailles+1 |
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-Germain-en-Laye | Versailles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Versailles+19 | 24 | 43 | More schools: Versailles+19 |
| Middle schoolsTie | 11 | 11 | Tie |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+2 | 15 | 13 | More high schools: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+2 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Versailles+18 | 7 | 25 | More facilities: Versailles+18 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Saint-Germain-en-Laye | Versailles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+74% | 6.2 | 3.6 | Higher rate: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+74% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+19% | 11.6 | 9.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+19% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+15% | 3.0 | 2.6 | Higher rate: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+15% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Versailles+8% | 1.1 | 1.2 | Higher rate: Versailles+8% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Versailles+1% | 6.2 | 6.3 | Higher rate: Versailles+1% |
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-Germain-en-Laye | Versailles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+0.8 °C | 12.3°C | 11.5°C | Warmer: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+0.8 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearTie | 1,714 | 1,714 | Tie |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Versailles+19% | 571 | 677 | Wetter: Versailles+19% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Versailles+10 days/year | 106 | 115 | More rainy days: Versailles+10 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Versailles+3 days/year | 43 | 46 | More frost days: Versailles+3 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+5 days/year | 16 | 11 | More hot days: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+5 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-Germain-en-Laye | Versailles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+12 | 25 | 13 | More declarations: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+12 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansMore plans: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+2 | 2 | 0 | More plans: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+2 |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Saint-Germain-en-Laye | Versailles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+98% | 51.9 | 26.2 | Larger: Saint-Germain-en-Laye+98% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Versailles+44 m | 88 m | 132 m | Higher: Versailles+44 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE)Same | Large urban centre | Large urban centre | Same |
| DepartmentSame | Yvelines (78) | Yvelines (78) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Saint Germain Boucles de Seine | Communauté d'agglomération Versailles Grand Parc (CAVGP) | |
| Urban unitSame | Paris | Paris | Same |
| Functional areaSame | Paris | Paris | Same |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Saint-Germain-en-Laye vs Versailles at a glance
| Criterion | Saint-Germain-en-Laye | Versailles |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 47,628 | 85,750 |
| Change over 10 years | +5.4% | −1.4% |
| Density per km² | 917 | 3,275 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 6,547 | 6,829 |
| Median house price €/m² | 7,193 | 9,059 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 23.5 | 24.3 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 24.95% | 26.79% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 37,970 | 38,530 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 9.5% | 8.1% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 2.4 | 2.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 6.2 | 3.6 |
| Average temperature | 12.3°C | 11.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,714 | 1,714 |
| Area km² | 51.9 | 26.2 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Saint-Germain-en-Laye vs Versailles: your questions
Which is the larger city, Saint-Germain-en-Laye or Versailles?
By population, Versailles: 85,750 inhabitants versus 47,628 for Saint-Germain-en-Laye (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Versailles is the 56th largest city in France, Saint-Germain-en-Laye the 145th. By area, Saint-Germain-en-Laye is the larger (51.9 km²).
How far is Saint-Germain-en-Laye from Versailles?
Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Versailles are 14 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Yvelines).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye or Versailles?
To buy an apartment, Versailles is more expensive: €6,829 per m² (median price), versus €6,547 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (+4%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye or Versailles?
In Versailles, half of the residents have a standard of living above €38,530 a year, versus €37,970 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Saint-Germain-en-Laye and Versailles in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Yvelines (78), in the Île-de-France region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures