Chicago vs Istanbul - City Size Comparison

Is Chicago Bigger Than Istanbul?

In terms of area, Istanbul is 9.0x the size of Chicago. Istanbul spans 5,461 km² (2,109 mi²) while Chicago covers 606 km² (234 mi²) — a difference of 4,855 km². You could fit Chicago inside Istanbul approximately 9 times.

About Chicago

Third-largest city in the United States. 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 Deep-dish pizza, Willis Tower, Millennium Park & Cloud Gate, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the CTA (L train).

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

About Istanbul

Turkey's largest city, spanning Europe and Asia. Also known as "The City on Two Continents", Istanbul has an area of 5,461 km² and is home to 15.5 million people. The city dates back to 660 BC. Visitors come for Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Grand Bazaar, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Istanbul Metro.

Istanbul is the only city in the world that spans two continents — Europe and Asia

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Chicago metropolitan area covers 28,160 km², which is 5.2x larger than greater Istanbul at 5,461 km². The Istanbul metro area is also more populous, with 15.5 million people compared to 9.5 million.

Population Density

Chicago has a population density of 4,455 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Istanbul, with 2,831 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Chicago is noticeably denser, packing 1.6 times more people per square kilometer.

Climate & Time Zone

Chicago has a humid continental climate while Istanbul experiences oceanic conditions. When it's noon in Istanbul, it's 3:00 AM in Chicago — a 9-hour time difference.