Loading map...
Loading map...
USA
South Korea
Area Comparison
Chicago is 1.0x larger than Seoul
Population Comparison
Chicago has 3.6x fewer people than Seoul
In terms of area, Chicago is 1.0x the size of Seoul. Chicago spans 606 km² (234 mi²) while Seoul covers 605 km² (234 mi²) — a difference of 1 km².
To put Chicago's size in perspective, its area of 606 km² is roughly the same size as Seoul. Meanwhile, Seoul at 605 km² is about 1.3x smaller than New York City.
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 South Korea and a major tech hub. Also known as "The Soul of Asia", Seoul has an area of 605 km² and is home to 9.8 million people. Its history stretches back to 18 BC. Visitors come for Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gangnam district, K-pop culture, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Seoul Metro.
Seoul's metro area contains nearly half of South Korea's entire population
Looking beyond city limits, the Chicago metropolitan area covers 28,160 km², which is 2.4x larger than greater Seoul at 11,704 km². The Seoul metro area is also more populous, with 25.5 million people compared to 9.5 million.
Chicago has a population density of 4,455 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Seoul, with 16,149 people per km², is an extremely dense urban environment. Seoul is dramatically more crowded, with 3.6x the population density.
This comparison spans continents — Chicago in North America versus Seoul in Asia. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Both cities share a humid continental climate, though local geography creates distinct microclimates in each. When it's noon in Seoul, it's midnight in Chicago — a 15-hour time difference.
Density Gap
Seoul is 3.6x more densely populated
Time Difference
15 hours apart
History
Seoul is ~1,851 years older
The straight-line distance from Chicago to Seoul is 10,510 km (6,531 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~12h 52m. See full distance details, including timezone difference and city facts.
Want to explore more? Compare city sizes for any two cities worldwide, or share your location live with friends.