Los Angeles vs San Francisco
Los Angeles is about 2.2× larger than San Francisco by administrative area. Los Angeles (United States) covers 1,302 km² (503 mi²) with a population of 3.9 million, while San Francisco (United States) covers 601 km² (232 mi²) with 873,965 residents.
| Metric | Los Angeles | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 1,302 km² | 601 km² |
| Area (mi²) | 503 mi² | 232 mi² |
| Population | 3,898,747 | 873,965 |
| Population density | 2,994 /km² | 1,455 /km² |
| Area ratio | Los Angeles is ~2.2× larger by area than San Francisco. | |
20 km
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Both outlines are drawn at the same scale.
Frequently asked questions
Is Los Angeles bigger than San Francisco?
Yes — Los Angeles is about 2.2× larger by area: 1,302 km² vs 601 km².
How big is Los Angeles?
Los Angeles, United States, covers about 1,302 km² (503 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, Los Angeles or San Francisco?
Los Angeles has the larger population: 3.9 million vs 873,965. Population density is about 2,994 people/km² in Los Angeles and 1,455 people/km² in San Francisco.
City boundaries from OpenStreetMap. Last updated 2026-10-21.
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