Chicago vs Rio de Janeiro - City Size Comparison

Is Chicago Bigger Than Rio de Janeiro?

In terms of area, Rio de Janeiro is 2.0x the size of Chicago. Rio de Janeiro spans 1,221 km² (471 mi²) while Chicago covers 606 km² (234 mi²) — a difference of 615 km². You could fit Chicago inside Rio de Janeiro approximately 2 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 Rio de Janeiro

Brazil's iconic coastal city known for Carnival. Often called "The Marvelous City", Rio de Janeiro has an area of 1,221 km² and is home to 6.8 million people. The city dates back to 1565. Visitors come for Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana Beach, Carnival, and much more. Getting around is easy with the MetrôRio.

Rio's Christ the Redeemer statue is struck by lightning an average of 6 times per year

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Chicago metropolitan area covers 28,160 km², which is 4.2x larger than greater Rio de Janeiro at 6,744 km². The Rio de Janeiro metro area is also more populous, with 13.5 million people compared to 9.5 million.

Population Density

Chicago has a population density of 4,455 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Rio de Janeiro, with 5,528 people per km², is a densely populated city. Both cities have comparable density, though Rio de Janeiro is slightly more compact.

Climate & Time Zone

Chicago has a humid continental climate while Rio de Janeiro experiences tropical savanna conditions. Winters differ dramatically: Rio de Janeiro stays around 21°C while Chicago drops to -3°C. When it's noon in Rio de Janeiro, it's 9:00 AM in Chicago — a 3-hour time difference.