Chicago vs San Francisco
Chicago is about 1.0× larger than San Francisco by administrative area. Chicago (United States) covers 606 km² (234 mi²) with a population of 2.7 million, while San Francisco (United States) covers 601 km² (232 mi²) with 873,965 residents.
| Metric | Chicago | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 606 km² | 601 km² |
| Area (mi²) | 234 mi² | 232 mi² |
| Population | 2,746,388 | 873,965 |
| Population density | 4,529 /km² | 1,455 /km² |
| Area ratio | Chicago is ~1.0× larger by area than San Francisco. | |
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Both outlines are drawn at the same scale.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chicago bigger than San Francisco?
Yes — Chicago is about 1.0× larger by area: 606 km² vs 601 km².
How big is Chicago?
Chicago, United States, covers about 606 km² (234 mi²) of administrative area.
How big is San Francisco?
San Francisco, United States, covers about 601 km² (232 mi²) of administrative area.
Which city has more people, Chicago or San Francisco?
Chicago has the larger population: 2.7 million vs 873,965. Population density is about 4,529 people/km² in Chicago and 1,455 people/km² in San Francisco.
City boundaries from OpenStreetMap. Last updated 2026-10-18.
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