Los Angeles
1,302 km²
Nairobi
696 km²
USA
Kenya
Area Comparison
Los Angeles is 1.9x larger than Nairobi
Population Comparison
Los Angeles has 1.2x fewer people than Nairobi
Los Angeles is significantly larger, covering 1.9 times the area of Nairobi. Los Angeles spans 1,302 km² (503 mi²) while Nairobi covers 696 km² (269 mi²) — a difference of 606 km².
To put Los Angeles's size in perspective, its area of 1,302 km² is about 1.2x smaller than London. Meanwhile, Nairobi at 696 km² is about 1.1x smaller than New York City.
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 Nairobi, that's about 97,000 American football fields, 12 times the area of Manhattan, or 7 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.
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya, located in the south-central part of the country. As of 2024, it has a population of 4.8 million and a metropolitan population of 5.7 million, making it the 11th most populous city in Africa. Nicknamed the "Green City under the Sun", Nairobi is uniquely notable for being the only capital city in the world that hosts a national park within its boundaries. Its name originates from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, meaning "place of cool waters".
Often called "Green City under the Sun", Nairobi has an area of 696 km² and is home to 4.7 million people. The city dates back to 1899. Visitors come for Nairobi National Park, Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Nairobi Commuter Rail.
Nairobi is the only capital city in the world that hosts a national park within its boundaries.
Looking beyond city limits, the Los Angeles metropolitan area covers 12,562 km², which is 18.0x larger than greater Nairobi at 696 km². The Los Angeles metro area is also more populous, with 13.2 million people compared to 4.7 million.
Los Angeles has a population density of 3,049 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Nairobi, with 6,796 people per km², is a densely populated city. Nairobi is noticeably denser, packing 2.2 times more people per square kilometer.
This comparison spans continents — Los Angeles in North America versus Nairobi in Africa. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate while Nairobi experiences subtropical highland conditions. When it's noon in Nairobi, it's 1:00 AM in Los Angeles — a 11-hour time difference.
Density Gap
Nairobi is 2.2x more densely populated
Time Difference
11 hours apart
History
Los Angeles is ~118 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).
Nairobi covers 696 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Tehran (730 km²), Jakarta (662 km²), Singapore (733 km²), Bangalore (741 km²), or Hyderabad (650 km²).
The straight-line distance from Los Angeles to Nairobi is 15,544 km (9,659 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~18h 47m.
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