Chicago vs Stockholm - City Size Comparison

Is Chicago Bigger Than Stockholm?

Yes — Chicago is 3.2x larger than Stockholm by area. Chicago spans 606 km² (234 mi²) while Stockholm covers 188 km² (73 mi²) — a difference of 418 km². You could fit Stockholm inside Chicago approximately 3 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 Stockholm

Sweden's capital, spread across 14 islands. Nicknamed "Venice of the North", Stockholm has an area of 188 km² and is home to 1.0 million people. Its history stretches back to 1252. Visitors come for Gamla Stan (Old Town), Vasa Museum, ABBA Museum, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Stockholm Metro (Tunnelbana).

Stockholm is built on 14 islands connected by 57 bridges

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Chicago metropolitan area covers 28,160 km², which is 4.3x larger than greater Stockholm at 6,519 km². The Chicago metro area is also more populous, with 9.5 million people compared to 2.4 million.

Population Density

Chicago has a population density of 4,455 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Stockholm, with 5,213 people per km², is a densely populated city. Both cities have comparable density, though Stockholm is slightly more compact.

Climate & Time Zone

Both cities share a humid continental climate, though local geography creates distinct microclimates in each. When it's noon in Stockholm, it's 5:00 AM in Chicago — a 7-hour time difference.