2026 comparison
Saint-Leu vs Saint-Louis (974): 2026 comparison
Saint-Louis has more inhabitants than Saint-Leu: 55,653 versus 36,687, or 52% more. Saint-Leu covers a larger area (118 km² versus 98.9 km²), but Saint-Louis is more densely populated: 563 inhabitants per km² versus 310.
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Leu: €4,518 per m² versus €2,063. The median standard of living is higher in Saint-Leu (€19,680 a year versus €17,320).
The two cities are 9.5 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Saint-Leu
City in Réunion
- Population
- 36,687 inhab.
- 228th in France · 11th in its department
- Area
- 118 km²
- Density
- 310 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-LeuSaint-Louis
| Criterion | Saint-Leu | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Louis+52% | 36,687 | 55,653 | More populous: Saint-Louis+52% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Leu+3.2 pts | +5.8% | +2.5% | Stronger growth: Saint-Leu+3.2 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Leu+4.7 pts | +9.1% | +4.3% | Stronger growth: Saint-Leu+4.7 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Louis+82% | 310 | 563 | Denser: Saint-Louis+82% |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Louis+3.2 pts | 20.5% | 23.7% | More young people: Saint-Louis+3.2 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Leu+0.7 pt | 13.5% | 12.8% | More seniors: Saint-Leu+0.7 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Louis+0.23 | 2.45 | 2.68 | Larger households: Saint-Louis+0.23 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Saint-Leu | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Leu2.2 times as high | 4,518 | 2,063 | More expensive: Saint-Leu2.2 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Leu+60% | 3,750 | 2,338 | More expensive: Saint-Leu+60% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Leu+14% | 16.5 | 14.5 | More expensive: Saint-Leu+14% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Leu+30% | 15.8 | 12.2 | More expensive: Saint-Leu+30% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Leu+2.9 pts | 61.1% | 58.1% | More homeowners: Saint-Leu+2.9 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Louis+3.7 pts | 77.2% | 80.9% | More houses: Saint-Louis+3.7 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Louis+7.3 pts | 12.4% | 19.7% | More social housing: Saint-Louis+7.3 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Leu+2.2 pts | 5.8% | 3.6% | More second homes: Saint-Leu+2.2 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Louis+1.7 pt | 7.6% | 9.3% | More vacant homes: Saint-Louis+1.7 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Louis+24 pts | 48.99% | 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-Leu | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Saint-Leu+14% | 19,680 | 17,320 | Higher: Saint-Leu+14% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Louis+7.7 pts | 34.3% | 42.0% | Higher: Saint-Louis+7.7 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Saint-Leu+32% | €23,117 | €17,497 | Higher: Saint-Leu+32% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Saint-Leu+7.1 pts | 25% | 18% | More taxpaying households: Saint-Leu+7.1 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Leu+7.3 pts | 74.1% | 66.8% | Higher: Saint-Leu+7.3 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Louis+2.3 pts | 29.6% | 31.8% | Higher: Saint-Louis+2.3 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Saint-Leu | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Karim Juhoor | Juliana M'Doihoma | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous centre | miscellaneous centre | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Louis+9.8 pts | 87% | 97% | Better covered: Saint-Louis+9.8 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Saint-Leu | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Louis+7% | 56.4207 in total | 60.2335 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Louis+7% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Leu+15% | 27.099 in total | 23.5131 in total | More per capita: Saint-Leu+15% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Leu+42% | 49.1180 in total | 34.5192 in total | More per capita: Saint-Leu+42% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Leu+48% | 23.285 in total | 15.687 in total | More per capita: Saint-Leu+48% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Leu3.0 times as high | 2.28 in total | 0.74 in total | More per capita: Saint-Leu3.0 times as high |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Leu+1.1 | 1.14 in total | 0.00 in total | More per capita: Saint-Leu+1.1 |
| 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-Leu | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Louis+79% | 5.0 | 8.9 | Better access: Saint-Louis+79% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Leu+13% | 12.847 in total | 11.363 in total | More per capita: Saint-Leu+13% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Leu+23% | 11.442 in total | 9.352 in total | More per capita: Saint-Leu+23% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Leu+40% | 10.137 in total | 7.240 in total | More per capita: Saint-Leu+40% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Leu+8% | 2.710 in total | 2.514 in total | More per capita: Saint-Leu+8% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Louis+3 | 1 | 4 | More facilities: Saint-Louis+3 |
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-Leu | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Louis+12 | 21 | 33 | More schools: Saint-Louis+12 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Louis+3 | 4 | 7 | More middle schools: Saint-Louis+3 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Louis+3 | 2 | 5 | More high schools: Saint-Louis+3 |
| 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-Leu | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Leu+18% | 1.3 | 1.1 | Higher rate: Saint-Leu+18% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Leu+24% | 5.3 | 4.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Leu+24% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Louis+12% | 3.9 | 4.4 | Higher rate: Saint-Louis+12% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Leu+27% | 1.2 | 1.0 | Higher rate: Saint-Leu+27% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Leu+17% | 6.5 | 5.6 | Higher rate: Saint-Leu+17% |
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-Leu | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Leu+1.1 °C | 25.3°C | 24.2°C | Warmer: Saint-Leu+1.1 °C |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Louis+53% | 482 | 736 | Wetter: Saint-Louis+53% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Louis+21 days/year | 37 | 59 | More rainy days: Saint-Louis+21 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Louis+6 days/year | 135 | 140 | More hot days: Saint-Louis+6 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-Leu | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Louis+2 | 21 | 23 | More declarations: Saint-Louis+2 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 2 | 2 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Saint-Leu | Saint-Louis | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Leu+20% | 118 | 98.9 | Larger: Saint-Leu+20% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Louis+26 m | 3 m | 28 m | Higher: Saint-Louis+26 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 Territoire de la Côte Ouest (TCO) | Communauté d'agglomération CIVIS (Communauté Intercommunale des Villes Solidaires) | |
| Urban unit | Saint-Leu | Saint-Louis | |
| Functional area | Saint-Paul | Saint-Louis |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Saint-Leu vs Saint-Louis (974) at a glance
| Criterion | Saint-Leu | Saint-Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 36,687 | 55,653 |
| Change over 10 years | +9.1% | +4.3% |
| Density per km² | 310 | 563 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,518 | 2,063 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,750 | 2,338 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 16.5 | 14.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 48.99% | 72.57% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 19,680 | 17,320 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 29.6% | 31.8% |
| Premises with fiber | 87% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.0 | 8.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 1.3 | 1.1 |
| Average temperature | 25.3°C | 24.2°C |
| Area km² | 118 | 98.9 |
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Compare with other towns
FAQ
Saint-Leu vs Saint-Louis (974): your questions
Which is the larger city, Saint-Leu or Saint-Louis?
By population, Saint-Louis: 55,653 inhabitants versus 36,687 for Saint-Leu (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Louis is the 113th largest city in France, Saint-Leu the 228th. By area, Saint-Leu is the larger (118 km²).
How far is Saint-Leu from Saint-Louis?
Saint-Leu and Saint-Louis are 9.5 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-Leu or Saint-Louis?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Leu is more expensive: €4,518 per m² (median price), versus €2,063 in Saint-Louis (+119%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Saint-Leu or Saint-Louis?
In Saint-Leu, half of the residents have a standard of living above €19,680 a year, versus €17,320 in Saint-Louis (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Saint-Leu 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