Chicago vs Lagos - City Size Comparison

Is Chicago Bigger Than Lagos?

In terms of area, Lagos is 1.9x the size of Chicago. Lagos spans 1,172 km² (453 mi²) while Chicago covers 606 km² (234 mi²) — a difference of 566 km².

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 Lagos

Nigeria's largest city and economic hub of West Africa. Also known as "Eko", Lagos has an area of 1,172 km² and is home to 15.4 million people. Its history stretches back to 1472. Visitors come for Afrobeats music scene, Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos Island, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Lagos Rail (Blue & Red Lines).

Lagos is projected to become the world's largest city by population by 2100

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Chicago metropolitan area covers 28,160 km², which is 10.4x larger than greater Lagos at 2,706 km². The Lagos metro area is also more populous, with 21.0 million people compared to 9.5 million.

Population Density

Chicago has a population density of 4,455 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Lagos, with 13,131 people per km², is an extremely dense urban environment. Lagos is noticeably denser, packing 2.9 times more people per square kilometer.

Climate & Time Zone

Chicago has a humid continental climate while Lagos experiences tropical savanna conditions. Winters differ dramatically: Lagos stays around 27°C while Chicago drops to -3°C. When it's noon in Lagos, it's 5:00 AM in Chicago — a 7-hour time difference.