Shanghai vs San Francisco
Shanghai is about 11× larger than San Francisco by administrative area. Shanghai (China) covers 6,341 km² (2,448 mi²) with a population of 24.9 million, while San Francisco (United States) covers 601 km² (232 mi²) with 873,965 residents.
| Metric | Shanghai | San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| Area | 6,341 km² | 601 km² |
| Area (mi²) | 2,448 mi² | 232 mi² |
| Population | 24,870,895 | 873,965 |
| Population density | 3,922 /km² | 1,455 /km² |
| Area ratio | Shanghai is ~11× larger by area than San Francisco. | |
Frequently asked questions
Is Shanghai bigger than San Francisco?
Yes — Shanghai is about 11× larger by area: 6,341 km² vs 601 km².
How big is Shanghai?
Shanghai, China, covers about 6,341 km² (2,448 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, Shanghai or San Francisco?
Shanghai has the larger population: 24.9 million vs 873,965. Population density is about 3,922 people/km² in Shanghai and 1,455 people/km² in San Francisco.
City boundaries from OpenStreetMap. Last updated 2026-08-18.
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