Amsterdam vs Chicago - City Size Comparison

Is Amsterdam Bigger Than Chicago?

Yes — Chicago is 2.8x larger than Amsterdam by area. Chicago spans 606 km² (234 mi²) while Amsterdam covers 219 km² (85 mi²) — a difference of 387 km². You could fit Amsterdam inside Chicago approximately 2 times.

About Amsterdam

Capital of the Netherlands, known for its canals. Known as "Venice of the North", Amsterdam covers 219 km² with a population of 0.9 million. The city was established in 1275. Amsterdam is known for Canal ring, Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the GVB (Metro & Tram).

Amsterdam sits 2 meters below sea level and is protected by an elaborate system of dikes and pumping stations

About Chicago

Third-largest city in the United States. Also known as "The Windy City", Chicago has an area of 606 km² and is home to 2.7 million people. The city dates back to 1833. Visitors come for Deep-dish pizza, Willis Tower, Millennium Park & Cloud Gate, and much more. Getting around is easy with the CTA (L train).

Chicago reversed the flow of the Chicago River in 1900, an engineering feat that still stands

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Chicago metropolitan area covers 28,160 km², which is 10.9x larger than greater Amsterdam at 2,580 km². The Chicago metro area is also more populous, with 9.5 million people compared to 2.5 million.

Population Density

Amsterdam has a population density of 4,201 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Chicago, with 4,455 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Both cities have comparable density, though Chicago is slightly more compact.

Climate & Time Zone

Amsterdam has a oceanic climate while Chicago experiences humid continental conditions. When it's noon in Amsterdam, it's 5:00 AM in Chicago — a 7-hour time difference.