Lagos vs São Paulo - City Size Comparison

Is Lagos Bigger Than São Paulo?

Yes — São Paulo is 1.3x larger than Lagos by area. São Paulo spans 1,521 km² (587 mi²) while Lagos covers 1,172 km² (453 mi²) — a difference of 349 km².

About Lagos

Nigeria's largest city and economic hub of West Africa. Known as "Eko", Lagos covers 1,172 km² with a population of 15.4 million. The city was established in 1472. Lagos is known for Afrobeats music scene, Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos Island, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Lagos Rail (Blue & Red Lines).

Lagos is projected to become the world's largest city by population by 2100

About São Paulo

Brazil's largest city and financial center. Nicknamed "Sampa", São Paulo has an area of 1,521 km² and is home to 12.3 million people. The city dates back to 1554. Visitors come for Paulista Avenue, Ibirapuera Park, São Paulo Museum of Art, and much more. Getting around is easy with the São Paulo Metro.

São Paulo has the largest Japanese community outside Japan

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the São Paulo metropolitan area covers 7,947 km², which is 2.9x larger than greater Lagos at 2,706 km². The São Paulo metro area is also more populous, with 22.0 million people compared to 21.0 million.

Population Density

Lagos has a population density of 13,131 people per km² — an extremely dense urban environment. São Paulo, with 8,107 people per km², is a densely populated city. Lagos is noticeably denser, packing 1.6 times more people per square kilometer.

Climate & Time Zone

Lagos has a tropical savanna climate while São Paulo experiences humid subtropical conditions. When it's noon in Lagos, it's 8:00 AM in São Paulo — a 4-hour time difference.