Chicago vs Madrid - City Size Comparison

Is Chicago Bigger Than Madrid?

Yes — Chicago is 1.0x larger than Madrid by area. Chicago spans 606 km² (234 mi²) while Madrid covers 604 km² (233 mi²) — a difference of 2 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 Madrid

Spain's capital and largest city. Nicknamed "The Capital of the Sun", Madrid has an area of 604 km² and is home to 3.3 million people. The city dates back to 852. Visitors come for Prado Museum, Royal Palace, Retiro Park, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Madrid Metro.

Madrid is the highest capital city in the European Union at 650 meters above sea level

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Chicago metropolitan area covers 28,160 km², which is 3.5x larger than greater Madrid at 8,028 km². The Chicago metro area is also more populous, with 9.5 million people compared to 6.8 million.

Population Density

Chicago has a population density of 4,455 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Madrid, with 5,513 people per km², is a densely populated city. Both cities have comparable density, though Madrid is slightly more compact.

Climate & Time Zone

Chicago has a humid continental climate while Madrid experiences hot-summer Mediterranean conditions. When it's noon in Madrid, it's 5:00 AM in Chicago — a 7-hour time difference.