Los Angeles
1,302 km²
Seoul
605 km²
USA
South Korea
Area Comparison
Los Angeles is 2.2x larger than Seoul
Population Comparison
Los Angeles has 2.5x fewer people than Seoul
Yes — Los Angeles is 2.2x larger than Seoul by area. Los Angeles spans 1,302 km² (503 mi²) while Seoul covers 605 km² (234 mi²) — a difference of 697 km². You could fit Seoul inside Los Angeles approximately 2 times.
To put Los Angeles's size in perspective, its area of 1,302 km² is about 1.2x smaller than London. Meanwhile, Seoul at 605 km² is about 1.3x smaller than New York City.
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. For Seoul, that's about 85,000 American football fields, 180 times the area of Central Park, or 10 times the area of Manhattan.
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.
Seoul, officially Seoul Special Metropolitan City, is the capital and largest city of South Korea, and the largest city in the whole of Korea. The broader Seoul Metropolitan Area, encompassing Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, emerged as the world's sixth largest metropolitan economy in 2022, behind New York, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Paris, and London, and hosts more than half of South Korea's population.
Seoul has an area of 605 km² and is home to 9.8 million people. Its history stretches back to 18 BC. Visitors come for Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gangnam district, Myeongdong shopping, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Seoul Metro.
Seoul Metropolitan Area emerged as the world's sixth largest metropolitan economy in 2022, behind only NYC, Tokyo, LA, Paris, and London.
Looking beyond city limits, the Los Angeles metropolitan area covers 12,562 km², which is 1.1x larger than greater Seoul at 11,704 km². The Seoul metro area is also more populous, with 25.5 million people compared to 13.2 million.
Los Angeles has a population density of 3,049 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Seoul, with 16,149 people per km², is an extremely dense urban environment. Seoul is dramatically more crowded, with 5.3x the population density.
This comparison spans continents — Los Angeles in North America versus Seoul in Asia. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate while Seoul experiences humid continental conditions. Winters differ dramatically: Los Angeles stays around 14°C while Seoul drops to -3°C. When it's noon in Seoul, it's midnight in Los Angeles — a 17-hour time difference.
Size Ratio
Seoul fits inside Los Angeles ~2 times
Density Gap
Seoul is 5.3x more densely populated
Time Difference
17 hours apart
History
Seoul is ~1,799 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).
Seoul covers 605 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Chicago (606 km²), Madrid (604 km²), Mumbai (603 km²), Toronto (630 km²), or Hyderabad (650 km²).
The straight-line distance from Los Angeles to Seoul is 9,586 km (5,956 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~11h 47m.
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