Lagos vs Washington D.C. - City Size Comparison

Is Lagos Bigger Than Washington D.C.?

Yes — Lagos is 6.6x larger than Washington D.C. by area. Lagos spans 1,172 km² (453 mi²) while Washington D.C. covers 177 km² (68 mi²) — a difference of 995 km². You could fit Washington D.C. inside Lagos approximately 6 times.

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 Washington D.C.

Capital of the United States. Nicknamed "D.C.", Washington D.C. has an area of 177 km² and is home to 0.7 million people. Its history stretches back to 1790. Visitors come for The White House, Lincoln Memorial, Smithsonian museums, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Washington Metro.

D.C. has more free museums than any other city in the US — all 19 Smithsonian museums charge no admission

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Washington D.C. metropolitan area covers 14,412 km², which is 5.3x larger than greater Lagos at 2,706 km². The Lagos metro area is also more populous, with 21.0 million people compared to 6.3 million.

Population Density

Lagos has a population density of 13,131 people per km² — an extremely dense urban environment. Washington D.C., with 3,898 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Lagos is dramatically more crowded, with 3.4x the population density.

Climate & Time Zone

Lagos has a tropical savanna climate while Washington D.C. experiences humid subtropical conditions. Winters differ dramatically: Lagos stays around 27°C while Washington D.C. drops to 2°C. When it's noon in Lagos, it's 6:00 AM in Washington D.C. — a 6-hour time difference.