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Los Angeles vs Chicago

Los Angeles is about 2.1× larger than Chicago by administrative area. Los Angeles (United States) covers 1,302 km² (503 mi²) with a population of 3.9 million, while Chicago (United States) covers 606 km² (234 mi²) with 2.7 million residents.

Metric Los Angeles Chicago
Area 1,302 km² 606 km²
Area (mi²) 503 mi² 234 mi²
Population 3,898,747 2,746,388
Population density 2,994 /km² 4,529 /km²
Area ratioLos Angeles is ~2.1× larger by area than Chicago.
20 km
Los Angeles
20 km
Chicago

Both outlines are drawn at the same scale.

Frequently asked questions

Is Los Angeles bigger than Chicago?

Yes — Los Angeles is about 2.1× larger by area: 1,302 km² vs 606 km².

How big is Los Angeles?

Los Angeles, United States, covers about 1,302 km² (503 mi²) of administrative area.

How big is Chicago?

Chicago, United States, covers about 606 km² (234 mi²) of administrative area.

Which city has more people, Los Angeles or Chicago?

Los Angeles has the larger population: 3.9 million vs 2.7 million. Population density is about 2,994 people/km² in Los Angeles and 4,529 people/km² in Chicago.

City boundaries from OpenStreetMap. Last updated 2026-10-21.

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