Los Angeles
1,302 km²
Mexico City
1,485 km²
USA
Mexico
Area Comparison
Los Angeles is 1.1x smaller than Mexico City
Population Comparison
Los Angeles has 2.3x fewer people than Mexico City
Mexico City is significantly larger, covering 1.1 times the area of Los Angeles. Mexico City spans 1,485 km² (573 mi²) while Los Angeles covers 1,302 km² (503 mi²) — a difference of 183 km².
To put Los Angeles's size in perspective, its area of 1,302 km² is about 1.2x smaller than London. Meanwhile, Mexico City at 1,485 km² is roughly the same size as London.
In more relatable units, Los Angeles's 1,302 km² is about 182,000 American football fields, 22 times the area of Manhattan, or 12 times the area of Paris. For Mexico City, that's about 208,000 American football fields, 25 times the area of Manhattan, or 14 times the area of Paris.
Los Angeles (LA) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Southern California. With an estimated 3.88 million residents within the city limits as of 2024, it is the second-most populous city in the United States, behind New York City, and the largest city in the Western United States. The city has an ethnically and culturally diverse population, and is the principal city of a metropolitan area of 12.9 million people (2024).
Known as "The City of Angels", Los Angeles covers 1,302 km² with a population of 4.0 million. The city was established in 1781. Los Angeles is known for Hollywood Sign, Santa Monica Pier, Beverly Hills, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the LA Metro.
Los Angeles is the second-most populous city in the United States, home to 3.88 million residents within city limits as of 2024.
Mexico City is the capital and most populous city of Mexico, as well as the most populous city in North America. It is one of the most important cultural and financial centers in the world, and is classified as an Alpha world city according to the Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC) 2024 ranking. Mexico City is located in the Valley of Mexico within the high Mexican central plateau, at an altitude of 2,240 meters.
Nicknamed "CDMX", Mexico City has an area of 1,485 km² and is home to 9.2 million people. Its history stretches back to 1325. Visitors come for Zocalo square, Chapultepec Park, Frida Kahlo Museum, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Mexico City Metro.
Mexico City sits at an altitude of 2,240 meters in the Valley of Mexico on the high Mexican central plateau.
Looking beyond city limits, the Los Angeles metropolitan area covers 12,562 km², which is 1.6x larger than greater Mexico City at 7,854 km². The Mexico City metro area is also more populous, with 21.8 million people compared to 13.2 million.
Los Angeles has a population density of 3,049 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Mexico City, with 6,202 people per km², is a densely populated city. Mexico City is noticeably denser, packing 2.0 times more people per square kilometer.
Both cities are in North America, but they represent different national approaches to urban development. Los Angeles (USA) and Mexico City (Mexico) offer a fascinating regional contrast.
Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate while Mexico City experiences subtropical highland conditions. When it's noon in Mexico City, it's 10:00 AM in Los Angeles — a 2-hour time difference.
Density Gap
Mexico City is 2.0x more densely populated
History
Mexico City is ~456 years older
Los Angeles covers 1,302 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Rome (1,285 km²), Phoenix (1,341 km²), Rio de Janeiro (1,221 km²), San Antonio (1,209 km²), or Lagos (1,172 km²).
Mexico City covers 1,485 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Delhi (1,484 km²), São Paulo (1,521 km²), Bangkok (1,569 km²), London (1,572 km²), or Bogotá (1,578 km²).
The straight-line distance from Los Angeles to Mexico City is 2,490 km (1,548 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~3h 26m.
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