2026 comparison
Saint-Malo vs Vannes: 2026 comparison
Vannes has more inhabitants than Saint-Malo: 57,745 versus 48,675, or 19% more. Saint-Malo covers a larger area (36.6 km² versus 32.3 km²), but Vannes is more densely populated: 1,788 inhabitants per km² versus 1,331.
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Malo: €4,547 per m² versus €3,833. The median standard of living is higher in Vannes (€27,430 a year versus €27,160).
The two cities are 123 km apart as the crow flies.
© Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0
Saint-Malo
City in Ille-et-Vilaine
- Population
- 48,675 inhab.
- 141st in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 36.6 km²
- Density
- 1,331 per km²
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Vannes
City in Morbihan
- Population
- 57,745 inhab.
- 105th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 32.3 km²
- Density
- 1,788 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Saint-MaloVannes
| Criterion | Saint-Malo | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Vannes+19% | 48,675 | 57,745 | More populous: Vannes+19% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Vannes+2.3 pts | +2.1% | +4.4% | Stronger growth: Vannes+2.3 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Saint-Malo+0.4 pt | +5.6% | +5.2% | Stronger growth: Saint-Malo+0.4 pt |
| Density per km²Denser: Vannes+34% | 1,331 | 1,788 | Denser: Vannes+34% |
| Under 15More young people: Vannes+1.1 pt | 11.5% | 12.6% | More young people: Vannes+1.1 pt |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Malo+7.5 pts | 34.7% | 27.2% | More seniors: Saint-Malo+7.5 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Vannes+0.02 | 1.76 | 1.78 | Larger households: Vannes+0.02 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Saint-Malo | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Malo+19% | 4,547 | 3,833 | More expensive: Saint-Malo+19% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Malo+12% | 4,539 | 4,063 | More expensive: Saint-Malo+12% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Vannes+3% | 13.6 | 14.1 | More expensive: Vannes+3% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Vannes+6% | 12.5 | 13.2 | More expensive: Vannes+6% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Malo+6.1 pts | 52.3% | 46.2% | More homeowners: Saint-Malo+6.1 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Malo+7.5 pts | 37.1% | 29.6% | More houses: Saint-Malo+7.5 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Saint-Malo+5.8 pts | 29.4% | 23.6% | More social housing: Saint-Malo+5.8 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Malo+19 pts | 27.1% | 8.3% | More second homes: Saint-Malo+19 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Vannes+3.5 pts | 5.3% | 8.7% | More vacant homes: Vannes+3.5 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Malo+15 pts | 49.08% | 34.13% | Higher rate: Saint-Malo+15 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-Malo | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Vannes+1.0% | 27,160 | 27,430 | Higher: Vannes+1.0% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Vannes+2.0 pts | 13.1% | 15.1% | Higher: Vannes+2.0 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Saint-Malo+0.2% | €34,759 | €34,676 | Higher: Saint-Malo+0.2% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Vannes+0.8 pt | 51% | 52% | More taxpaying households: Vannes+0.8 pt |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Malo+2.8 pts | 74.7% | 71.8% | Higher: Saint-Malo+2.8 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Vannes+0.4 pt | 11.0% | 11.4% | Higher: Vannes+0.4 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Saint-Malo | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Gilles Lurton | David Robo | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Vannes+0.7 pt | 96% | 97% | Better covered: Vannes+0.7 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Saint-Malo | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Malo+2% | 116.3566 in total | 114.3660 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Malo+2% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+17% | 32.3157 in total | 27.5159 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+17% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+32% | 61.0297 in total | 46.1266 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+32% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vannes2.0 times as high | 12.963 in total | 26.5153 in total | More per capita: Vannes2.0 times as high |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+19% | 2.914 in total | 2.414 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+19% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo3.7 times as high | 15.475 in total | 4.224 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo3.7 times as high |
| Passenger train stationsTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
Number of facilities per 10,000 inhabitants (total count in small print). Source: INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Health
Health care
| Criterion | Saint-Malo | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Vannes+3% | 5.7 | 5.9 | Better access: Vannes+3% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vannes+11% | 17.183 in total | 18.9109 in total | More per capita: Vannes+11% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vannes+26% | 42.5207 in total | 53.7310 in total | More per capita: Vannes+26% |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Vannes+1% | 11.154 in total | 11.365 in total | More per capita: Vannes+1% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Malo+40% | 4.120 in total | 2.917 in total | More per capita: Saint-Malo+40% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Vannes+7 | 6 | 13 | More facilities: Vannes+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-Malo | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Vannes+6 | 22 | 28 | More schools: Vannes+6 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Vannes+3 | 6 | 9 | More middle schools: Vannes+3 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Vannes+4 | 8 | 12 | More high schools: Vannes+4 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Vannes+14 | 5 | 19 | More facilities: Vannes+14 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Saint-Malo | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Saint-Malo+9% | 4.4 | 4.1 | Higher rate: Saint-Malo+9% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Malo+14% | 11.3 | 9.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Malo+14% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Tie | 4.8 | 4.8 | Tie |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Malo5.0 times as high | 3.4 | 0.7 | Higher rate: Saint-Malo5.0 times as high |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Malo+20% | 14.1 | 11.8 | Higher rate: Saint-Malo+20% |
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-Malo | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Vannes+1.0 °C | 11.9°C | 12.9°C | Warmer: Vannes+1.0 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearSunnier: Vannes+14% | 1,733 | 1,981 | Sunnier: Vannes+14% |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Vannes+38% | 752 | 1,034 | Wetter: Vannes+38% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Vannes+3 days/year | 128 | 131 | More rainy days: Vannes+3 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Vannes+4 days/year | 22 | 25 | More frost days: Vannes+4 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Vannes+9 days/year | 2 | 11 | More hot days: Vannes+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-Malo | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Malo+3 | 12 | 9 | More declarations: Saint-Malo+3 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 1 | 1 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Low | Significant |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Saint-Malo | Vannes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Malo+13% | 36.6 | 32.3 | Larger: Saint-Malo+13% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Vannes+15 m | 8 m | 24 m | Higher: Vannes+15 m |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Large urban centre | |
| Department | Ille-et-Vilaine (35) | Morbihan (56) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération du Pays de Saint Malo Agglomération | Communauté d'agglomération Golfe du Morbihan - Vannes Agglomération | |
| Urban unit | Saint-Malo | Vannes | |
| Functional area | Saint-Malo | Vannes |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Saint-Malo vs Vannes at a glance
| Criterion | Saint-Malo | Vannes |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 48,675 | 57,745 |
| Change over 10 years | +5.6% | +5.2% |
| Density per km² | 1,331 | 1,788 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,547 | 3,833 |
| Median house price €/m² | 4,539 | 4,063 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 13.6 | 14.1 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 49.08% | 34.13% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 27,160 | 27,430 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 11.0% | 11.4% |
| Premises with fiber | 96% | 97% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.7 | 5.9 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 4.4 | 4.1 |
| Average temperature | 11.9°C | 12.9°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,733 | 1,981 |
| Area km² | 36.6 | 32.3 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Saint-Malo vs Vannes: your questions
Which is the larger city, Saint-Malo or Vannes?
By population, Vannes: 57,745 inhabitants versus 48,675 for Saint-Malo (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Vannes is the 105th largest city in France, Saint-Malo the 141st. By area, Saint-Malo is the larger (36.6 km²).
How far is Saint-Malo from Vannes?
Saint-Malo and Vannes are 123 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Saint-Malo or Vannes?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Malo is more expensive: €4,547 per m² (median price), versus €3,833 in Vannes (+19%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Saint-Malo or Vannes?
In Vannes, half of the residents have a standard of living above €27,430 a year, versus €27,160 in Saint-Malo (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Which city is sunnier, Saint-Malo or Vannes?
Vannes: 1,981 hours of sunshine a year on average, versus 1,733 in Saint-Malo (climate normals from the reference Météo-France station of each town).
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures