Shanghai vs Chicago
Shanghai is about 10× larger than Chicago by administrative area. Shanghai (China) covers 6,341 km² (2,448 mi²) with a population of 24.9 million, while Chicago (United States) covers 606 km² (234 mi²) with 2.7 million residents.
| Metric | Shanghai | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 6,341 km² | 606 km² |
| Area (mi²) | 2,448 mi² | 234 mi² |
| Population | 24,870,895 | 2,746,388 |
| Population density | 3,922 /km² | 4,529 /km² |
| Area ratio | Shanghai is ~10× larger by area than Chicago. | |
50 km
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Both outlines are drawn at the same scale.
Frequently asked questions
Is Shanghai bigger than Chicago?
Yes — Shanghai is about 10× larger by area: 6,341 km² vs 606 km².
How big is Shanghai?
Shanghai, China, covers about 6,341 km² (2,448 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, Shanghai or Chicago?
Shanghai has the larger population: 24.9 million vs 2.7 million. Population density is about 3,922 people/km² in Shanghai and 4,529 people/km² in Chicago.
City boundaries from OpenStreetMap. Last updated 2026-10-18.
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