2026 comparison
Saint-Joseph (974) vs Saint-Louis (974): 2026 comparison
Saint-Louis has more inhabitants than Saint-Joseph: 55,653 versus 39,763, or 40% more. Saint-Joseph covers a larger area (179 km² versus 98.9 km²), but Saint-Louis is more densely populated: 563 inhabitants per km² versus 223.
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Louis: €2,063 per m² versus €1,978. The median standard of living is higher in Saint-Louis (€17,320 a year versus €16,870).
The two cities are 24 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Saint-Joseph
City in Réunion
- Population
- 39,763 inhab.
- 201st in France · 7th in its department
- Area
- 179 km²
- Density
- 223 per km²
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Saint-Louis
City in Réunion
- Population
- 55,653 inhab.
- 113th in France · 6th in its department
- Area
- 98.9 km²
- Density
- 563 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1962
Saint-JosephSaint-Louis
| Criterion | Saint-Joseph | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Louis+40% | 39,763 | 55,653 | More populous: Saint-Louis+40% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Joseph+2.0 pt | +4.5% | +2.5% | Stronger growth: Saint-Joseph+2.0 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Joseph+0.1 pt | +4.4% | +4.3% | Stronger growth: Saint-Joseph+0.1 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Louis2.5 times as high | 223 | 563 | Denser: Saint-Louis2.5 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Louis+3.3 pts | 20.4% | 23.7% | More young people: Saint-Louis+3.3 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Joseph+3.5 pts | 16.3% | 12.8% | More seniors: Saint-Joseph+3.5 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Louis+0.28 | 2.40 | 2.68 | Larger households: Saint-Louis+0.28 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Saint-Joseph | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Louis+4% | 1,978 | 2,063 | More expensive: Saint-Louis+4% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Louis+8% | 2,170 | 2,338 | More expensive: Saint-Louis+8% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Louis+5% | 13.8 | 14.5 | More expensive: Saint-Louis+5% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Louis+7% | 11.4 | 12.2 | More expensive: Saint-Louis+7% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Joseph+0.1 pt | 58.2% | 58.1% | More homeowners: Saint-Joseph+0.1 pt |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Joseph+1.1 pt | 82.0% | 80.9% | More houses: Saint-Joseph+1.1 pt |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Louis+5.6 pts | 14.1% | 19.7% | More social housing: Saint-Louis+5.6 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Louis+1.7 pt | 1.9% | 3.6% | More second homes: Saint-Louis+1.7 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Louis+2.2 pts | 7.1% | 9.3% | More vacant homes: Saint-Louis+2.2 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Louis+24 pts | 48.33% | 72.57% | Higher rate: Saint-Louis+24 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-Joseph | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Saint-Louis+3% | 16,870 | 17,320 | Higher: Saint-Louis+3% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Joseph+1.8 pt | 43.8% | 42.0% | Higher: Saint-Joseph+1.8 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Saint-Louis+0.2% | €17,467 | €17,497 | Higher: Saint-Louis+0.2% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Saint-Louis+0.5 pt | 17% | 18% | More taxpaying households: Saint-Louis+0.5 pt |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Joseph+2.3 pts | 69.1% | 66.8% | Higher: Saint-Joseph+2.3 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Joseph+3.8 pts | 35.6% | 31.8% | Higher: Saint-Joseph+3.8 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Saint-Joseph | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Patrick Lebreton | Juliana M'Doihoma | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous left | miscellaneous centre | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Joseph+1.3 pt | 98% | 97% | Better covered: Saint-Joseph+1.3 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Saint-Joseph | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Louis+20% | 50.3200 in total | 60.2335 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Louis+20% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Louis+8% | 21.987 in total | 23.5131 in total | More per capita: Saint-Louis+8% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Louis+16% | 29.7118 in total | 34.5192 in total | More per capita: Saint-Louis+16% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Joseph+27% | 19.979 in total | 15.687 in total | More per capita: Saint-Joseph+27% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Joseph2.8 times as high | 2.08 in total | 0.74 in total | More per capita: Saint-Joseph2.8 times as high |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.Tie | 0.00 in total | 0.00 in total | Tie |
| 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-Joseph | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Louis+79% | 4.9 | 8.9 | Better access: Saint-Louis+79% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Louis+36% | 8.333 in total | 11.363 in total | More per capita: Saint-Louis+36% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Louis3.1 times as high | 3.012 in total | 9.352 in total | More per capita: Saint-Louis3.1 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Louis+10% | 6.526 in total | 7.240 in total | More per capita: Saint-Louis+10% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Joseph+10% | 2.811 in total | 2.514 in total | More per capita: Saint-Joseph+10% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Louis+1 | 3 | 4 | More facilities: Saint-Louis+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-Joseph | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Louis+7 | 26 | 33 | More schools: Saint-Louis+7 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Louis+2 | 5 | 7 | More middle schools: Saint-Louis+2 |
| High schoolsTie | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Higher education institutions and programsTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Saint-Joseph | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Louis+45% | 0.7 | 1.1 | Higher rate: Saint-Louis+45% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Louis+33% | 3.2 | 4.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Louis+33% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Louis+62% | 2.7 | 4.4 | Higher rate: Saint-Louis+62% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Louis+68% | 0.6 | 1.0 | Higher rate: Saint-Louis+68% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Louis+65% | 3.4 | 5.6 | Higher rate: Saint-Louis+65% |
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-Joseph | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Joseph+0.2 °C | 24.4°C | 24.2°C | Warmer: Saint-Joseph+0.2 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Joseph2.3 times as high | 1,661 | 736 | Wetter: Saint-Joseph2.3 times as high |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Joseph+67 days/year | 126 | 59 | More rainy days: Saint-Joseph+67 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Louis+40 days/year | 100 | 140 | More hot days: Saint-Louis+40 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-Joseph | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Louis+3 | 20 | 23 | More declarations: Saint-Louis+3 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 2 | 2 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Saint-Joseph | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Joseph+80% | 179 | 98.9 | Larger: Saint-Joseph+80% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Joseph+10 m | 38 m | 28 m | Higher: Saint-Joseph+10 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Small town | Large urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Réunion (974) | Réunion (974) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération du Sud | Communauté d'agglomération CIVIS (Communauté Intercommunale des Villes Solidaires) | |
| Urban unit | Saint-Joseph | Saint-Louis | |
| Functional area | Saint-Pierre - Le Tampon | Saint-Louis |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Saint-Joseph (974) vs Saint-Louis (974) at a glance
| Criterion | Saint-Joseph | Saint-Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 39,763 | 55,653 |
| Change over 10 years | +4.4% | +4.3% |
| Density per km² | 223 | 563 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,978 | 2,063 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,170 | 2,338 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.8 | 14.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 48.33% | 72.57% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 16,870 | 17,320 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 35.6% | 31.8% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.9 | 8.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 0.7 | 1.1 |
| Average temperature | 24.4°C | 24.2°C |
| Area km² | 179 | 98.9 |
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FAQ
Saint-Joseph (974) vs Saint-Louis (974): your questions
Which is the larger city, Saint-Joseph or Saint-Louis?
By population, Saint-Louis: 55,653 inhabitants versus 39,763 for Saint-Joseph (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Louis is the 113th largest city in France, Saint-Joseph the 201st. By area, Saint-Joseph is the larger (179 km²).
How far is Saint-Joseph from Saint-Louis?
Saint-Joseph and Saint-Louis are 24 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes, in the same department (Réunion).
Where is real estate more expensive, in Saint-Joseph or Saint-Louis?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Louis is more expensive: €2,063 per m² (median price), versus €1,978 in Saint-Joseph (+4%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Saint-Joseph or Saint-Louis?
In Saint-Louis, half of the residents have a standard of living above €17,320 a year, versus €16,870 in Saint-Joseph (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Saint-Joseph and Saint-Louis in the same department?
Yes: both towns are in Réunion (974), in the Réunion region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures