Los Angeles
1,302 km²
Moscow
2,511 km²
USA
Russia
Area Comparison
Los Angeles is 1.9x smaller than Moscow
Population Comparison
Los Angeles has 3.2x fewer people than Moscow
Moscow is significantly larger, covering 1.9 times the area of Los Angeles. Moscow spans 2,511 km² (970 mi²) while Los Angeles covers 1,302 km² (503 mi²) — a difference of 1,209 km².
To put Los Angeles's size in perspective, its area of 1,302 km² is about 1.2x smaller than London. Meanwhile, Moscow at 2,511 km² is roughly the same size as Luxembourg.
Picture Los Angeles another way: its area is large enough to fit about 182,000 American football fields, 22 times the area of Manhattan, or 12 times the area of Paris. Moscow, by comparison, equals about 352,000 American football fields, 42 times the area of Manhattan, or 24 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.
Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia, standing on the Moskva River in Central Russia. It has a population estimated at over 13 million residents within the city limits, over 19.1 million residents in the urban area, and over 21.5 million residents in its metropolitan area. The city covers an area of 2,511 square kilometers (970 mi2), while the urban area covers 5,891 square kilometers (2,275 mi2), and the metropolitan area covers over 26,000 square kilometers (10,000 mi2).
Also known as "Third Rome", Moscow has an area of 2,511 km² and is home to 12.5 million people. Its history stretches back to 1147. Visitors come for Red Square, Kremlin, Saint Basil's Cathedral, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Moscow Metro.
Moscow's metropolitan area covers over 26,000 square kilometers, making it one of the largest metropolitan footprints in Europe.
Looking beyond city limits, the Los Angeles metropolitan area covers 12,562 km², which is 2.1x larger than greater Moscow at 5,891 km². The Moscow metro area is also more populous, with 17.1 million people compared to 13.2 million.
Los Angeles has a population density of 3,049 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Moscow, with 4,994 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Moscow is noticeably denser, packing 1.6 times more people per square kilometer.
This comparison spans continents — Los Angeles in North America versus Moscow in Europe. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate while Moscow experiences humid continental conditions. Winters differ dramatically: Los Angeles stays around 14°C while Moscow drops to -8°C. When it's noon in Moscow, it's 1:00 AM in Los Angeles — a 11-hour time difference.
Density Gap
Moscow is 1.6x more densely populated
Time Difference
11 hours apart
History
Moscow is ~634 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).
Moscow covers 2,511 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Cape Town (2,455 km²), Lima (2,672 km²), Tokyo (2,194 km²), Ho Chi Minh City (2,061 km²), or Cairo (3,085 km²).
The straight-line distance from Los Angeles to Moscow is 9,769 km (6,070 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~11h 60m.
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