Cairo vs Chicago - City Size Comparison

Is Cairo Bigger Than Chicago?

Yes — Cairo is 5.1x larger than Chicago by area. Cairo spans 3,085 km² (1,191 mi²) while Chicago covers 606 km² (234 mi²) — a difference of 2,479 km². You could fit Chicago inside Cairo approximately 5 times.

About Cairo

Egypt's capital and the largest city in the Arab world. Known as "The City of a Thousand Minarets", Cairo covers 3,085 km² with a population of 10.1 million. The city was established in 969. Cairo is known for Pyramids of Giza, Egyptian Museum, Khan el-Khalili bazaar, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Cairo Metro.

Cairo is the only major city in the world where you can see ancient pyramids from the city center

About Chicago

Third-largest city in the United States. Often called "The Windy City", Chicago has an area of 606 km² and is home to 2.7 million people. It was established in 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 4.3x larger than greater Cairo at 6,588 km². The Cairo metro area is also more populous, with 21.3 million people compared to 9.5 million.

Population Density

Cairo has a population density of 3,274 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

Cairo has a hot desert climate while Chicago experiences humid continental conditions. Winters differ dramatically: Cairo stays around 14°C while Chicago drops to -3°C. When it's noon in Cairo, it's 4:00 AM in Chicago — a 8-hour time difference.