2026 comparison
Saint-Paul (974) vs Sainte-Marie (974): 2026 comparison
Saint-Paul has more inhabitants than Sainte-Marie: 109,405 versus 37,527, or 2.9 times as many. Saint-Paul is both larger (241 km² versus 87.2 km²) and more densely populated (453 inhabitants per km² versus 430).
The median apartment price is higher in Saint-Paul: €4,809 per m² versus €2,409. The median standard of living is higher in Sainte-Marie (€21,270 a year versus €21,220).
The two cities are 22 km apart as the crow flies, in the same department.
Saint-Paul
City in Réunion
- Population
- 109,405 inhab.
- 39th in France · 2nd in its department
- Area
- 241 km²
- Density
- 453 per km²
Sainte-Marie
City in Réunion
- Population
- 37,527 inhab.
- 218th in France · 9th in its department
- Area
- 87.2 km²
- Density
- 430 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1954
Saint-PaulSainte-Marie
| Criterion | Saint-Paul | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Paul2.9 times as high | 109,405 | 37,527 | More populous: Saint-Paul2.9 times as high |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Sainte-Marie+7.2 pts | +4.4% | +11.6% | Stronger growth: Sainte-Marie+7.2 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Sainte-Marie+10 pts | +3.6% | +13.8% | Stronger growth: Sainte-Marie+10 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Saint-Paul+5% | 453 | 430 | Denser: Saint-Paul+5% |
| Under 15More young people: Sainte-Marie+3.3 pts | 19.6% | 22.9% | More young people: Sainte-Marie+3.3 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Paul+3.1 pts | 14.7% | 11.5% | More seniors: Saint-Paul+3.1 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Sainte-Marie+0.06 | 2.51 | 2.57 | Larger households: Sainte-Marie+0.06 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Saint-Paul | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Paul+100% | 4,809 | 2,409 | More expensive: Saint-Paul+100% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Saint-Paul+35% | 3,891 | 2,875 | More expensive: Saint-Paul+35% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Paul+40% | 18.9 | 13.5 | More expensive: Saint-Paul+40% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Saint-Paul+8% | 15.6 | 14.4 | More expensive: Saint-Paul+8% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Paul+10 pts | 61.0% | 50.7% | More homeowners: Saint-Paul+10 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Paul+7.1 pts | 71.8% | 64.7% | More houses: Saint-Paul+7.1 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residencesMore social housing: Sainte-Marie+12 pts | 18.3% | 29.9% | More social housing: Sainte-Marie+12 pts |
| Second homesMore second homes: Saint-Paul+5.7 pts | 7.3% | 1.6% | More second homes: Saint-Paul+5.7 pts |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Paul+3.0 pts | 9.4% | 6.5% | More vacant homes: Saint-Paul+3.0 pts |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Sainte-Marie+2.9 pts | 43.28% | 46.14% | Higher rate: Sainte-Marie+2.9 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-Paul | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Sainte-Marie+0.2% | 21,220 | 21,270 | Higher: Sainte-Marie+0.2% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Sainte-Marie+0.2 pt | 30.4% | 30.6% | Higher: Sainte-Marie+0.2 pt |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Saint-Paul+3% | €25,928 | €25,138 | Higher: Saint-Paul+3% |
| Households paying income taxTie | 28% | 28% | Tie |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Sainte-Marie+3.6 pts | 70.2% | 73.8% | Higher: Sainte-Marie+3.6 pts |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Paul+1.7 pt | 23.9% | 22.2% | Higher: Saint-Paul+1.7 pt |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Saint-Paul | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Emmanuel Séraphin | Céline Sitouze | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections) | union of the left | miscellaneous left | |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Sainte-Marie+0.9 pt | 95% | 96% | Better covered: Sainte-Marie+0.9 pt |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Saint-Paul | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Saint-Paul+19% | 69.3758 in total | 58.1218 in total | More shops per capita: Saint-Paul+19% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Paul+15% | 25.0274 in total | 21.982 in total | More per capita: Saint-Paul+15% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Paul+28% | 53.7588 in total | 41.8157 in total | More per capita: Saint-Paul+28% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Paul+14% | 24.6269 in total | 21.681 in total | More per capita: Saint-Paul+14% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Paul+37% | 1.112 in total | 0.83 in total | More per capita: Saint-Paul+37% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Paul+3.4 | 3.437 in total | 0.00 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-Paul | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Paul+42% | 6.8 | 4.8 | Better access: Saint-Paul+42% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Paul+78% | 12.8140 in total | 7.227 in total | More per capita: Saint-Paul+78% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Paul62 times as high | 16.6182 in total | 0.31 in total | More per capita: Saint-Paul62 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Paul3.0 times as high | 9.7106 in total | 3.212 in total | More per capita: Saint-Paul3.0 times as high |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Sainte-Marie+7% | 2.730 in total | 2.911 in total | More per capita: Sainte-Marie+7% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Saint-Paul+5 | 6 | 1 | More facilities: Saint-Paul+5 |
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-Paul | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Paul+48 | 69 | 21 | More schools: Saint-Paul+48 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Paul+10 | 15 | 5 | More middle schools: Saint-Paul+10 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Paul+6 | 9 | 3 | More high schools: Saint-Paul+6 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Saint-Paul+1 | 1 | 0 | More facilities: Saint-Paul+1 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Saint-Paul | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Sainte-Marie+37% | 1.6 | 2.3 | Higher rate: Sainte-Marie+37% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Paul+37% | 6.7 | 4.9 | Higher rate: Saint-Paul+37% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Paul+4% | 4.4 | 4.2 | Higher rate: Saint-Paul+4% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Paul+18% | 1.8 | 1.5 | Higher rate: Saint-Paul+18% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Paul+2% | 6.5 | 6.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Paul+2% |
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-Paul | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Sainte-Marie+0.1 °C | 24.4°C | 24.5°C | Warmer: Sainte-Marie+0.1 °C |
| Sunshine h/yearTie | 2,567 | 2,567 | Tie |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Sainte-Marie2.6 times as high | 598 | 1,554 | Wetter: Sainte-Marie2.6 times as high |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Sainte-Marie+79 days/year | 48 | 127 | More rainy days: Sainte-Marie+79 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearTie | 0 | 0 | Tie |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Saint-Paul+58 days/year | 149 | 91 | More hot days: Saint-Paul+58 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-Paul | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Saint-Paul+2 | 24 | 22 | More declarations: Saint-Paul+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-Paul | Sainte-Marie | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Paul2.8 times as high | 241 | 87.2 | Larger: Saint-Paul2.8 times as high |
| Town hall elevationTie | 5 m | 5 m | Tie |
| Coastal communeSame | Yes (sea) | Yes (sea) | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Small town | |
| DepartmentSame | Réunion (974) | Réunion (974) | Same |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération Territoire de la Côte Ouest (TCO) | Communauté d'agglomération Intercommunale du Nord de la Réunion (CINOR) | |
| Urban unit | Saint-Paul | Saint-Denis | |
| Functional area | Saint-Paul | Saint-Denis |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Saint-Paul (974) vs Sainte-Marie (974) at a glance
| Criterion | Saint-Paul | Sainte-Marie |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 109,405 | 37,527 |
| Change over 10 years | +3.6% | +13.8% |
| Density per km² | 453 | 430 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 4,809 | 2,409 |
| Median house price €/m² | 3,891 | 2,875 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 18.9 | 13.5 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 43.28% | 46.14% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 21,220 | 21,270 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 23.9% | 22.2% |
| Premises with fiber | 95% | 96% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 6.8 | 4.8 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 1.6 | 2.3 |
| Average temperature | 24.4°C | 24.5°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 2,567 | 2,567 |
| Area km² | 241 | 87.2 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Saint-Paul (974) vs Sainte-Marie (974): your questions
Which is the larger city, Saint-Paul or Sainte-Marie?
By population, Saint-Paul: 109,405 inhabitants versus 37,527 for Sainte-Marie (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Paul is the 39th largest city in France, Sainte-Marie the 218th. By area, Saint-Paul is also the larger (241 km²).
How far is Saint-Paul from Sainte-Marie?
Saint-Paul and Sainte-Marie are 22 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-Paul or Sainte-Marie?
To buy an apartment, Saint-Paul is more expensive: €4,809 per m² (median price), versus €2,409 in Sainte-Marie (+100%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Saint-Paul or Sainte-Marie?
In Sainte-Marie, half of the residents have a standard of living above €21,270 a year, versus €21,220 in Saint-Paul (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Saint-Paul and Sainte-Marie 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