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USA
UK
Area Comparison
Chicago is 2.6x smaller than London
Population Comparison
Chicago has 3.3x fewer people than London
In terms of area, London is 2.6x the size of Chicago. London spans 1,572 km² (607 mi²) while Chicago covers 606 km² (234 mi²) — a difference of 966 km². You could fit Chicago inside London approximately 2 times.
To put Chicago's size in perspective, its area of 606 km² is roughly the same size as Seoul. Meanwhile, London at 1,572 km² is about 1.4x smaller than Tokyo (city proper).
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
Capital of England and the United Kingdom. Also known as "The Big Smoke", London has an area of 1,572 km² and is home to 9.0 million people. Its history stretches back to 43. Visitors come for Big Ben, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and much more. Getting around is easy with the London Underground.
London was the first city to have an underground railway, opening in 1863
Looking beyond city limits, the Chicago metropolitan area covers 28,160 km², which is 3.4x larger than greater London at 8,382 km². The London metro area is also more populous, with 14.3 million people compared to 9.5 million.
Chicago has a population density of 4,455 people per km² — a moderately dense city. London, with 5,712 people per km², is a densely populated city. Both cities have comparable density, though London is slightly more compact.
This comparison spans continents — Chicago in North America versus London in Europe. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Chicago has a humid continental climate while London experiences oceanic conditions. When it's noon in London, it's 6:00 AM in Chicago — a 6-hour time difference.
Size Ratio
Chicago fits inside London ~2 times
Time Difference
6 hours apart
History
London is ~1,790 years older
The straight-line distance from Chicago to London is 6,353 km (3,948 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~7h 58m. See full distance details, including timezone difference and city facts.
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