2026 comparison
Saint-Quentin vs Valenciennes: 2026 comparison
Saint-Quentin has more inhabitants than Valenciennes: 53,963 versus 43,966, or 23% more. Saint-Quentin covers a larger area (22.6 km² versus 13.8 km²), but Valenciennes is more densely populated: 3,181 inhabitants per km² versus 2,392.
The median apartment price is higher in Valenciennes: €2,226 per m² versus €1,140. The median standard of living is higher in Valenciennes (€22,180 a year versus €20,470).
The two cities are 60 km apart as the crow flies.
Saint-Quentin
City in Aisne
- Population
- 53,963 inhab.
- 119th in France · 1st in its department
- Area
- 22.6 km²
- Density
- 2,392 per km²
Valenciennes
City in Nord
- Population
- 43,966 inhab.
- 173rd in France · 6th in its department
- Area
- 13.8 km²
- Density
- 3,181 per km²
Population
Population and demographics
Municipal population since 1876
Saint-QuentinValenciennes
| Criterion | Saint-Quentin | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population inhab.More populous: Saint-Quentin+23% | 53,963 | 43,966 | More populous: Saint-Quentin+23% |
| Change over 5 yearsStronger growth: Valenciennes+2.1 pts | −1.9% | +0.1% | Stronger growth: Valenciennes+2.1 pts |
| Change over 10 yearsStronger growth: Valenciennes+6.6 pts | −5.2% | +1.4% | Stronger growth: Valenciennes+6.6 pts |
| Density per km²Denser: Valenciennes+33% | 2,392 | 3,181 | Denser: Valenciennes+33% |
| Under 15More young people: Saint-Quentin+2.2 pts | 17.0% | 14.9% | More young people: Saint-Quentin+2.2 pts |
| 65 and overMore seniors: Saint-Quentin+5.3 pts | 22.8% | 17.5% | More seniors: Saint-Quentin+5.3 pts |
| People per householdLarger households: Saint-Quentin+0.12 | 1.97 | 1.85 | Larger households: Saint-Quentin+0.12 |
Sources: INSEE, official population figures, INSEE, censuses, INSEE, census
Housing
Real estate prices and housing
| Criterion | Saint-Quentin | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median apartment price €/m²More expensive: Valenciennes+95% | 1,140 | 2,226 | More expensive: Valenciennes+95% |
| Median house price €/m²More expensive: Valenciennes+50% | 1,098 | 1,649 | More expensive: Valenciennes+50% |
| Apartment rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Valenciennes+10% | 11.0 | 12.1 | More expensive: Valenciennes+10% |
| House rent €/m² per month, utilities includedMore expensive: Valenciennes+14% | 8.5 | 9.6 | More expensive: Valenciennes+14% |
| Homeowner householdsMore homeowners: Saint-Quentin+6.9 pts | 40.0% | 33.1% | More homeowners: Saint-Quentin+6.9 pts |
| Share of housesMore houses: Saint-Quentin+11 pts | 48.9% | 38.4% | More houses: Saint-Quentin+11 pts |
| Social housing (SRU law) share of primary residences | 31.9% | — | |
| Second homesMore second homes: Valenciennes+1.4 pt | 1.6% | 3.0% | More second homes: Valenciennes+1.4 pt |
| Vacant homesMore vacant homes: Saint-Quentin+0.8 pt | 13.4% | 12.5% | More vacant homes: Saint-Quentin+0.8 pt |
| Property tax (combined rate)Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+21 pts | 70.40% | 49.44% | Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+21 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-Quentin | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median standard of living €/yearHigher: Valenciennes+8% | 20,470 | 22,180 | Higher: Valenciennes+8% |
| Poverty rateHigher: Saint-Quentin+2.3 pts | 30.1% | 27.8% | Higher: Saint-Quentin+2.3 pts |
| Average taxable income per householdHigher: Valenciennes+9% | €23,042 | €25,059 | Higher: Valenciennes+9% |
| Households paying income taxMore taxpaying households: Valenciennes+5.0 pts | 34% | 39% | More taxpaying households: Valenciennes+5.0 pts |
| Activity rate (ages 15-64)Higher: Saint-Quentin+0.3 pt | 69.1% | 68.8% | Higher: Saint-Quentin+0.3 pt |
| Unemployment rate (census)Higher: Saint-Quentin+3.7 pts | 22.6% | 18.8% | Higher: Saint-Quentin+3.7 pts |
Sources: INSEE, Filosofi, DGFiP, income tax, INSEE, census
Local life
Town hall and fiber internet
| Criterion | Saint-Quentin | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Frédérique Macarez | Laurent Degallaix | |
| Political label of the mayor’s list (2026 local elections)Same | miscellaneous right | miscellaneous right | Same |
| Premises with fiberBetter covered: Saint-Quentin+2.5 pts | 98% | 95% | Better covered: Saint-Quentin+2.5 pts |
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, register of elected officials, Ministry of the Interior, Arcep
Shops and facilities
Shops, leisure and transportation
| Criterion | Saint-Quentin | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shops per 10,000 inhab.More shops per capita: Valenciennes+42% | 62.3336 in total | 88.7390 in total | More shops per capita: Valenciennes+42% |
| Food shops per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+41% | 17.695 in total | 24.8109 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+41% |
| Restaurants per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+79% | 33.5181 in total | 60.0264 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+79% |
| Sports facilities per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+21% | 18.097 in total | 21.896 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+21% |
| Cultural venues per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+36% | 1.79 in total | 2.310 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+36% |
| Hotels per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+47% | 1.910 in total | 2.712 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+47% |
| 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-Quentin | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year localized potential accessibilityBetter access: Saint-Quentin+16% | 5.1 | 4.4 | Better access: Saint-Quentin+16% |
| General practitioners per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Quentin+1% | 14.377 in total | 14.162 in total | More per capita: Saint-Quentin+1% |
| Medical specialists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes2.1 times as high | 20.0108 in total | 41.9184 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes2.1 times as high |
| Dentists per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Valenciennes+8% | 9.149 in total | 9.843 in total | More per capita: Valenciennes+8% |
| Pharmacies per 10,000 inhab.More per capita: Saint-Quentin+63% | 4.122 in total | 2.511 in total | More per capita: Saint-Quentin+63% |
| HospitalsMore facilities: Valenciennes+3 | 6 | 9 | More facilities: Valenciennes+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-Quentin | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary schoolsMore schools: Saint-Quentin+1 | 25 | 24 | More schools: Saint-Quentin+1 |
| Middle schoolsMore middle schools: Saint-Quentin+2 | 9 | 7 | More middle schools: Saint-Quentin+2 |
| High schoolsMore high schools: Saint-Quentin+2 | 10 | 8 | More high schools: Saint-Quentin+2 |
| Higher education institutions and programsMore facilities: Valenciennes+5 | 8 | 13 | More facilities: Valenciennes+5 |
Sources: Ministry of Education, INSEE, facilities database (BPE)
Recorded crime
Offenses recorded by the police
| Criterion | Saint-Quentin | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homesHigher rate: Valenciennes+22% | 3.7 | 4.5 | Higher rate: Valenciennes+22% |
| Non-violent thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valenciennes+36% | 14.3 | 19.5 | Higher rate: Valenciennes+36% |
| Physical violence outside the family per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valenciennes+78% | 6.2 | 11.1 | Higher rate: Valenciennes+78% |
| Vehicle thefts per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Valenciennes+13% | 2.7 | 3.0 | Higher rate: Valenciennes+13% |
| Vandalism and property damage per 1,000 inhab.Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+28% | 22.2 | 17.3 | Higher rate: Saint-Quentin+28% |
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-Quentin | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureWarmer: Valenciennes+0.2 °C | 10.8°C | 11.0°C | Warmer: Valenciennes+0.2 °C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,696 | — | |
| Rainfall mm/yearWetter: Valenciennes+2% | 683 | 694 | Wetter: Valenciennes+2% |
| Rainy days days/year at least 1 mmMore rainy days: Valenciennes+2 days/year | 120 | 122 | More rainy days: Valenciennes+2 days/year |
| Frost days days/yearMore frost days: Saint-Quentin+3 days/year | 49 | 46 | More frost days: Saint-Quentin+3 days/year |
| Very hot days days/year 30 °C or moreMore hot days: Valenciennes+1 days/year | 7 | 8 | More hot days: Valenciennes+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-Quentin | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural disasters declared since 1982More declarations: Valenciennes+2 | 11 | 13 | More declarations: Valenciennes+2 |
| Natural hazard prevention plansTie | 2 | 2 | Tie |
| Radon potential | Low | Low, with aggravating factors |
Sources: Géorisques (GASPAR), IRSN
Land
Area, terrain and administrative areas
| Criterion | Saint-Quentin | Valenciennes | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area km²Larger: Saint-Quentin+63% | 22.6 | 13.8 | Larger: Saint-Quentin+63% |
| Town hall elevationHigher: Saint-Quentin+75 m | 100 m | 26 m | Higher: Saint-Quentin+75 m |
| Coastal communeSame | No | No | Same |
| Density grid (INSEE) | Intermediate urban centre | Large urban centre | |
| Department | Aisne (02) | Nord (59) | |
| Intercommunality | Communauté d'agglomération du Saint-Quentinois | Communauté d'agglomération Valenciennes Métropole | |
| Urban unit | Saint-Quentin | Valenciennes (partie française) | |
| Functional area | Saint-Quentin | Valenciennes (partie française) |
Sources: IGN, IGN, elevation, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Loi Littoral, INSEE, density grid, INSEE, COG, INSEE, geographic classifications
Summary
Saint-Quentin vs Valenciennes at a glance
| Criterion | Saint-Quentin | Valenciennes |
|---|---|---|
| Population inhab. | 53,963 | 43,966 |
| Change over 10 years | −5.2% | +1.4% |
| Density per km² | 2,392 | 3,181 |
| Median apartment price €/m² | 1,140 | 2,226 |
| Median house price €/m² | 1,098 | 1,649 |
| Apartment rent €/m² | 11.0 | 12.1 |
| Property tax (combined rate) | 70.40% | 49.44% |
| Median standard of living €/year | 20,470 | 22,180 |
| Unemployment rate (census) | 22.6% | 18.8% |
| Premises with fiber | 98% | 95% |
| Access to general practitioners visits/inhab./year | 5.1 | 4.4 |
| Home burglaries per 1,000 homes | 3.7 | 4.5 |
| Average temperature | 10.8°C | 11.0°C |
| Sunshine h/year | 1,696 | — |
| Area km² | 22.6 | 13.8 |
More comparisons
Compare with other towns
FAQ
Saint-Quentin vs Valenciennes: your questions
Which is the larger city, Saint-Quentin or Valenciennes?
By population, Saint-Quentin: 53,963 inhabitants versus 43,966 for Valenciennes (official population figures in force on January 1, 2026). Saint-Quentin is the 119th largest city in France, Valenciennes the 173rd. By area, Saint-Quentin is also the larger (22.6 km²).
How far is Saint-Quentin from Valenciennes?
Saint-Quentin and Valenciennes are 60 km apart as the crow flies, between the centers of the two communes.
Where is real estate more expensive, in Saint-Quentin or Valenciennes?
To buy an apartment, Valenciennes is more expensive: €2,226 per m² (median price), versus €1,140 in Saint-Quentin (+95%). Median prices of sales over the last five years (DGFiP, DVF).
Where is the standard of living higher, in Saint-Quentin or Valenciennes?
In Valenciennes, half of the residents have a standard of living above €22,180 a year, versus €20,470 in Saint-Quentin (disposable income per consumption unit, INSEE).
Are Saint-Quentin and Valenciennes in the same department?
No: Saint-Quentin is in Aisne (02), and Valenciennes in Nord (59), both in the Hauts-de-France region.
Official population figures in force on January 1, 2026. Source: INSEE, official population figures