2026 comparison
Saint-Louis (974) vs Saint-Paul (974): 2026 comparison
Saint-Paul has more inhabitants than Saint-Louis: 109,405 versus 55,653, or 2.0 times as many. Saint-Paul covers a larger area (241 km² versus 98.9 km²), but Saint-Louis is more densely populated: 563 inhabitants per km² versus 453.
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Paul: €4,809 per m² versus €2,063. The median standard of living is higher in Saint-Paul (€21,220 a year versus €17,320).
The two cities are 23 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Saint-Louis
City in Réunion
- Population
- 55,653 inhab.
- 113th in France · 6th in its department
- Area
- 98.9 km²
- Density
- 563 per km²
Saint-Paul
City in Réunion
- Population
- 109,405 inhab.
- 39th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 241 km²
- Density
- 453 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1962
Saint-LouisSaint-Paul
| Criterion | Saint-Louis | Saint-Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Paul+97% | 55,653 | 109,405 | More populous: Saint-Paul+97% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Paul+1.9 pt | +2.5% | +4.4% | Stronger growth: Saint-Paul+1.9 pt |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Louis+0.7 pt | +4.3% | +3.6% | Stronger growth: Saint-Louis+0.7 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Louis+24% | 563 | 453 | Denser: Saint-Louis+24% |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Louis+4.0 pts | 23.7% | 19.6% | More young people: Saint-Louis+4.0 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Paul+1.9 pt | 12.8% | 14.7% | More seniors: Saint-Paul+1.9 pt |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Louis+0.17 | 2.68 | 2.51 | Larger households: Saint-Louis+0.17 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Saint-Louis | Saint-Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Paul2.3 times as high | 2,063 | 4,809 | More expensive: Saint-Paul2.3 times as high |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Paul+66% | 2,338 | 3,891 | More expensive: Saint-Paul+66% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Paul+30% | 14.5 | 18.9 | More expensive: Saint-Paul+30% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Paul+28% | 12.2 | 15.6 | More expensive: Saint-Paul+28% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Paul+2.9 pts | 58.1% | 61.0% | More homeowners: Saint-Paul+2.9 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Louis+9.1 pts | 80.9% | 71.8% | More houses: Saint-Louis+9.1 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Louis+1.4 pt | 19.7% | 18.3% | More social housing: Saint-Louis+1.4 pt |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Paul+3.6 pts | 3.6% | 7.3% | More second homes: Saint-Paul+3.6 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Paul+0.1 pt | 9.3% | 9.4% | More vacant homes: Saint-Paul+0.1 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Louis+29 pts | 72.57% | 43.28% | Higher rate: Saint-Louis+29 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-Louis | Saint-Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Saint-Paul+23% | 17,320 | 21,220 | Higher: Saint-Paul+23% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Louis+12 pts | 42.0% | 30.4% | Higher: Saint-Louis+12 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Saint-Paul+48% | €17,497 | €25,928 | Higher: Saint-Paul+48% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Saint-Paul+10 pts | 18% | 28% | More taxpaying households: Saint-Paul+10 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Paul+3.4 pts | 66.8% | 70.2% | Higher: Saint-Paul+3.4 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Louis+7.9 pts | 31.8% | 23.9% | Higher: Saint-Louis+7.9 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Saint-Louis | Saint-Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Juliana M'Doihoma | Emmanuel Séraphin | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | miscellaneous centre | union of the left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Louis+1.6 pt | 97% | 95% | Better covered: Saint-Louis+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-Louis | Saint-Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Paul+15% | 60.2335 in total | 69.3758 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Paul+15% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Paul+6% | 23.5131 in total | 25.0274 in total | More per capita: Saint-Paul+6% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Paul+56% | 34.5192 in total | 53.7588 in total | More per capita: Saint-Paul+56% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Paul+57% | 15.687 in total | 24.6269 in total | More per capita: Saint-Paul+57% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Paul+53% | 0.74 in total | 1.112 in total | More per capita: Saint-Paul+53% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Paul+3.4 | 0.00 in total | 3.437 in total | More per capita: Saint-Paul+3.4 |
| 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-Louis | Saint-Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Louis+31% | 8.9 | 6.8 | Better access: Saint-Louis+31% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Paul+13% | 11.363 in total | 12.8140 in total | More per capita: Saint-Paul+13% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Paul+78% | 9.352 in total | 16.6182 in total | More per capita: Saint-Paul+78% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Paul+35% | 7.240 in total | 9.7106 in total | More per capita: Saint-Paul+35% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Paul+9% | 2.514 in total | 2.730 in total | More per capita: Saint-Paul+9% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Paul+2 | 4 | 6 | More facilities: Saint-Paul+2 |
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-Louis | Saint-Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Paul+36 | 33 | 69 | More schools: Saint-Paul+36 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Paul+8 | 7 | 15 | More middle schools: Saint-Paul+8 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Paul+4 | 5 | 9 | More high schools: Saint-Paul+4 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-Paul+1 | 0 | 1 | More facilities: Saint-Paul+1 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Saint-Louis | Saint-Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Paul+53% | 1.1 | 1.6 | Higher rate: Saint-Paul+53% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Paul+57% | 4.2 | 6.7 | Higher rate: Saint-Paul+57% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Tie | 4.4 | 4.4 | Tie |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Paul+84% | 1.0 | 1.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Paul+84% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Paul+16% | 5.6 | 6.5 | Higher rate: Saint-Paul+16% |
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-Louis | Saint-Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Saint-Paul+0.2 °C | 24.2°C | 24.4°C | Warmer: Saint-Paul+0.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,567 | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Saint-Louis+23% | 736 | 598 | Wetter: Saint-Louis+23% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Saint-Louis+11 days/year | 59 | 48 | More rainy days: Saint-Louis+11 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Paul+9 days/year | 140 | 149 | More hot days: Saint-Paul+9 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-Louis | Saint-Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Paul+1 | 23 | 24 | More declarations: Saint-Paul+1 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 2 | 2 | Tie |
| Radon potentialSame | Low | Low | Same |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Saint-Louis | Saint-Paul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Paul2.4 times as high | 98.9 | 241 | Larger: Saint-Paul2.4 times as high |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Louis+23 m | 28 m | 5 m | Higher: Saint-Louis+23 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Large urban centre | Intermediate urban centre | |
| DepartmentSame | Réunion (974) | Réunion (974) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération CIVIS (Communauté Intercommunale des Villes Solidaires) | Communauté d'agglomération Territoire de la Côte Ouest (TCO) | |
| Urban unit | Saint-Louis | Saint-Paul | |
| Functional area | Saint-Louis | Saint-Paul |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Saint-Louis (974) vs Saint-Paul (974) at a glance
| Criterion | Saint-Louis | Saint-Paul |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 55,653 | 109,405 |
| Change over 10 years | +4.3% | +3.6% |
| Density per km² | 563 | 453 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 2,063 | 4,809 |
| Median house price €/m² | 2,338 | 3,891 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 14.5 | 18.9 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 72.57% | 43.28% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 17,320 | 21,220 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 31.8% | 23.9% |
| Premises with fiber | 97% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 8.9 | 6.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 1.1 | 1.6 |
| Average temperature | 24.2°C | 24.4°C |
| Sunshine h/year | — | 2,567 |
| Area km² | 98.9 | 241 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Saint-Louis (974) vs Saint-Paul (974): your questions
Which is the larger city, Saint-Louis or Saint-Paul?
By population, Saint-Paul: 109,405 inhabitants versus 55,653 for Saint-Louis (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Paul is the 39th largest city in France, Saint-Louis the 113th. By area, Saint-Paul is also the larger (241 km²).
How far is Saint-Louis from Saint-Paul?
Saint-Louis and Saint-Paul are 23 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-Louis or Saint-Paul?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Paul is more expensive: €4,809 per m² (median price), versus €2,063 in Saint-Louis (+133%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Saint-Louis or Saint-Paul?
In Saint-Paul, half of the residents have a standard of living above €21,220 a year, versus €17,320 in Saint-Louis (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Saint-Louis and Saint-Paul 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
