Chicago
606 km²
Denver
401 km²
USA
United States
Area Comparison
Chicago is 1.5x larger than Denver
Population Comparison
Chicago has 3.8x more people than Denver
In terms of area, Chicago is 1.5x the size of Denver. Chicago spans 606 km² (234 mi²) while Denver covers 401 km² (155 mi²) — a difference of 205 km².
To put Chicago's size in perspective, its area of 606 km² is roughly the same size as Seoul. Meanwhile, Denver at 401 km² is about 1.5x smaller than Seoul.
Picture Chicago another way: its area is large enough to fit about 85,000 American football fields, 180 times the area of Central Park, or 10 times the area of Manhattan. For Denver, that's about 56,000 American football fields, 200 times the area of Monaco, or 120 times the area of Central Park.
Chicago is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the third-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 2.74 million at the 2020 census. The Chicago metropolitan area has 9.41 million residents and is the third-largest metropolitan area in the country. Chicago is the seat of Cook County, the second-most populous county in the U.S.
Known as "The Windy City", Chicago covers 606 km² with a population of 2.7 million. The city was established in 1833. Chicago is known for Willis Tower, Millennium Park Bean, Navy Pier, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the CTA (L train).
Chicago is the third-most populous city in the United States with 2.74 million residents at the 2020 census.
Denver is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Officially a consolidated city and county, it is located in the South Platte River valley on the western edge of the High Plains, and is just east of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains (Rockies). Denver is the 19th-most populous city in the United States and the fifth-most populous state capital, with a population of 715,522 at the 2020 census.
Also known as "Mile High City", Denver has an area of 401 km² and is home to 0.7 million people. Its history stretches back to 1858. Visitors come for Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver Art Museum, Union Station, and much more.
Denver sits in the South Platte River valley just east of the Rocky Mountains' Front Range.
Chicago has a population density of 4,455 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Denver, with 1,796 people per km², is a relatively spread-out city. Chicago is noticeably denser, packing 2.5 times more people per square kilometer.
Chicago has a humid continental climate while Denver experiences cold semi-arid climate conditions.
Density Gap
Chicago is 2.5x more densely populated
Chicago covers 606 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Seoul (605 km²), Madrid (604 km²), Mumbai (603 km²), Toronto (630 km²), or Hyderabad (650 km²).
Denver covers 401 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Vienna (415 km²), Portland (376 km²), Philadelphia (370 km²), Seattle (369 km²), or Dhaka (368 km²).
The straight-line distance from Chicago to Denver is 1,478 km (918 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~2h 14m.
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