Los Angeles
1,302 km²
Tokyo
2,194 km²
USA
Japan
Area Comparison
Los Angeles is 1.7x smaller than Tokyo
Population Comparison
Los Angeles has 3.5x fewer people than Tokyo
Tokyo is significantly larger, covering 1.7 times the area of Los Angeles. Tokyo spans 2,194 km² (847 mi²) while Los Angeles covers 1,302 km² (503 mi²) — a difference of 892 km².
To put Los Angeles's size in perspective, its area of 1,302 km² is about 1.2x smaller than London. Meanwhile, Tokyo at 2,194 km² is about 1.1x smaller than Moscow.
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. Tokyo, by comparison, equals about 307,000 American football fields, 37 times the area of Manhattan, or 21 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.
Tokyo, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital and most populous city of Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is one of the most populous urban areas in the world. The Greater Tokyo Area, which includes Tokyo and parts of six neighboring prefectures, is the most populous metropolitan area in the world, with 41 million residents as of 2024.
Also known as "Eastern Capital", Tokyo has an area of 2,194 km² and is home to 14.0 million people. The city dates back to 1457. Visitors come for Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Tower, Imperial Palace, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Tokyo Metro & JR East.
Greater Tokyo holds 41 million residents as of 2024, making it the most populous metropolitan area on Earth.
Looking beyond city limits, the Tokyo metropolitan area covers 13,572 km², which is 1.1x larger than greater Los Angeles at 12,562 km². The Tokyo metro area is also more populous, with 37.4 million people compared to 13.2 million.
Los Angeles has a population density of 3,049 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Tokyo, with 6,363 people per km², is a densely populated city. Tokyo is noticeably denser, packing 2.1 times more people per square kilometer.
This comparison spans continents — Los Angeles in North America versus Tokyo in Asia. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate while Tokyo experiences humid subtropical conditions. When it's noon in Tokyo, it's midnight in Los Angeles — a 17-hour time difference.
Density Gap
Tokyo is 2.1x more densely populated
Time Difference
17 hours apart
History
Tokyo is ~324 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).
Tokyo covers 2,194 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Ho Chi Minh City (2,061 km²), Shenzhen (1,997 km²), Cape Town (2,455 km²), Moscow (2,511 km²), or Lima (2,672 km²).
The straight-line distance from Los Angeles to Tokyo is 8,819 km (5,480 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~10h 53m.
Want to explore more? Compare city sizes for any two cities worldwide, or share your location live with friends.