2026 comparison
Saint-Joseph (974) vs Saint-Pierre (974): 2026 comparison
Saint-Pierre has more inhabitants than Saint-Joseph: 85,927 versus 39,763, or 2.2 times as many. Saint-Joseph covers a larger area (179 km² versus 96.0 km²), but Saint-Pierre is more densely populated: 895 inhabitants per km² versus 223.
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Pierre: €3,123 per m² versus €1,978. The median standard of living is higher in Saint-Pierre (€19,670 a year versus €16,870).
The two cities are 15 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
Saint-Pierre
City in Réunion
- Population
- 85,927 inhab.
- 55th in France · 3rd in its department
- Area
- 96.0 km²
- Density
- 895 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1954
Saint-JosephSaint-Pierre
| Criterion | Saint-Joseph | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Pierre2.2 times as high | 39,763 | 85,927 | More populous: Saint-Pierre2.2 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Joseph+4.4 pts | +4.5% | +0.1% | Stronger growth: Saint-Joseph+4.4 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Pierre+0.0 pt | +4.4% | +4.5% | Stronger growth: Saint-Pierre+0.0 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Pierre4.0 times as high | 223 | 895 | Denser: Saint-Pierre4.0 times as high |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Joseph+0.1 pt | 20.4% | 20.3% | More young people: Saint-Joseph+0.1 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Joseph+2.6 pts | 16.3% | 13.7% | More seniors: Saint-Joseph+2.6 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Joseph+0.03 | 2.40 | 2.37 | Larger households: Saint-Joseph+0.03 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Saint-Joseph | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Pierre+58% | 1,978 | 3,123 | More expensive: Saint-Pierre+58% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Pierre+46% | 2,170 | 3,164 | More expensive: Saint-Pierre+46% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Pierre+14% | 13.8 | 15.8 | More expensive: Saint-Pierre+14% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Pierre+25% | 11.4 | 14.3 | More expensive: Saint-Pierre+25% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Joseph+7.8 pts | 58.2% | 50.4% | More homeowners: Saint-Joseph+7.8 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Joseph+17 pts | 82.0% | 64.9% | More houses: Saint-Joseph+17 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Pierre+9.0 pts | 14.1% | 23.2% | More social housing: Saint-Pierre+9.0 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Pierre+2.5 pts | 1.9% | 4.4% | More second homes: Saint-Pierre+2.5 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Pierre+2.2 pts | 7.1% | 9.2% | More vacant homes: Saint-Pierre+2.2 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Pierre+0.0 pt | 48.33% | 48.35% | Higher rate: Saint-Pierre+0.0 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-Joseph | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Saint-Pierre+17% | 16,870 | 19,670 | Higher: Saint-Pierre+17% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Joseph+9.0 pts | 43.8% | 34.8% | Higher: Saint-Joseph+9.0 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Saint-Pierre+34% | €17,467 | €23,366 | Higher: Saint-Pierre+34% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Saint-Pierre+8.4 pts | 17% | 26% | More taxpaying households: Saint-Pierre+8.4 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Pierre+1.2 pt | 69.1% | 70.2% | Higher: Saint-Pierre+1.2 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Joseph+8.2 pts | 35.6% | 27.4% | Higher: Saint-Joseph+8.2 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Saint-Joseph | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Patrick Lebreton | David Lorion | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous left | miscellaneous right | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Joseph+1.6 pt | 98% | 96% | Better covered: Saint-Joseph+1.6 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-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Pierre+74% | 50.3200 in total | 87.7754 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Pierre+74% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre+29% | 21.987 in total | 28.2242 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre+29% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre2.2 times as high | 29.7118 in total | 65.2560 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre2.2 times as high |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Joseph+12% | 19.979 in total | 17.8153 in total | More per capita: Saint-Joseph+12% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Joseph+57% | 2.08 in total | 1.311 in total | More per capita: Saint-Joseph+57% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre+1.7 | 0.00 in total | 1.715 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre+1.7 |
| 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-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Pierre+35% | 4.9 | 6.7 | Better access: Saint-Pierre+35% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre+49% | 8.333 in total | 12.3106 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre+49% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre4.1 times as high | 3.012 in total | 12.5107 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre4.1 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Pierre+64% | 6.526 in total | 10.792 in total | More per capita: Saint-Pierre+64% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Joseph+8% | 2.811 in total | 2.622 in total | More per capita: Saint-Joseph+8% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Pierre+7 | 3 | 10 | More facilities: Saint-Pierre+7 |
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-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Pierre+24 | 26 | 50 | More schools: Saint-Pierre+24 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Pierre+10 | 5 | 15 | More middle schools: Saint-Pierre+10 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Pierre+4 | 5 | 9 | More high schools: Saint-Pierre+4 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-Pierre+4 | 0 | 4 | More facilities: Saint-Pierre+4 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Saint-Joseph | Saint-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Pierre5.4 times as high | 0.7 | 4.0 | Higher rate: Saint-Pierre5.4 times as high |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Pierre2.1 times as high | 3.2 | 6.6 | Higher rate: Saint-Pierre2.1 times as high |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Pierre+71% | 2.7 | 4.6 | Higher rate: Saint-Pierre+71% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Pierre+84% | 0.6 | 1.1 | Higher rate: Saint-Pierre+84% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Pierre+92% | 3.4 | 6.5 | Higher rate: Saint-Pierre+92% |
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-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Joseph+0.8 °C | 24.4°C | 23.6°C | Warmer: Saint-Joseph+0.8 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Joseph+74% | 1,661 | 956 | Wetter: Saint-Joseph+74% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Joseph+51 days/year | 126 | 75 | More rainy days: Saint-Joseph+51 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Pierre+1 days/year | 100 | 101 | More hot days: Saint-Pierre+1 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-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982Tie | 20 | 20 | Tie |
| 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-Pierre | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Joseph+86% | 179 | 96.0 | Larger: Saint-Joseph+86% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Joseph+31 m | 38 m | 8 m | Higher: Saint-Joseph+31 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Small town | Intermediate 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-Pierre | |
| Functional areaSame | Saint-Pierre - Le Tampon | Saint-Pierre - Le Tampon | Same |
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-Pierre (974) at a glance
| Criterion | Saint-Joseph | Saint-Pierre |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 39,763 | 85,927 |
| Change over 10 years | +4.4% | +4.5% |
| Density per km² | 223 | 895 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,978 | 3,123 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,170 | 3,164 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.8 | 15.8 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 48.33% | 48.35% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 16,870 | 19,670 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 35.6% | 27.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 4.9 | 6.7 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 0.7 | 4.0 |
| Average temperature | 24.4°C | 23.6°C |
| Area km² | 179 | 96.0 |
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FAQ
Saint-Joseph (974) vs Saint-Pierre (974): your questions
Which is the larger city, Saint-Joseph or Saint-Pierre?
By population, Saint-Pierre: 85,927 inhabitants versus 39,763 for Saint-Joseph (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Pierre is the 55th largest city in France, Saint-Joseph the 201st. By area, Saint-Joseph is the larger (179 km²).
How far is Saint-Joseph from Saint-Pierre?
Saint-Joseph and Saint-Pierre are 15 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-Pierre?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Pierre is more expensive: €3,123 per m² (median price), versus €1,978 in Saint-Joseph (+58%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Saint-Joseph or Saint-Pierre?
In Saint-Pierre, half of the residents have a standard of living above €19,670 a year, versus €16,870 in Saint-Joseph (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Saint-Joseph and Saint-Pierre 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