Mexico City
1,485 km²
Nairobi
696 km²
Mexico
Kenya
Area Comparison
Mexico City is 2.1x larger than Nairobi
Population Comparison
Mexico City has 1.9x more people than Nairobi
Mexico City is significantly larger, covering 2.1 times the area of Nairobi. Mexico City spans 1,485 km² (573 mi²) while Nairobi covers 696 km² (269 mi²) — a difference of 789 km². You could fit Nairobi inside Mexico City approximately 2 times.
To put Mexico City's size in perspective, its area of 1,485 km² is roughly the same size as London. Meanwhile, Nairobi at 696 km² is about 1.1x smaller than New York City.
Mexico City's footprint is roughly about 208,000 American football fields, 25 times the area of Manhattan, or 14 times the area of Paris — pick whichever unit feels intuitive. Nairobi, by comparison, equals about 97,000 American football fields, 12 times the area of Manhattan, or 7 times the area of Paris.
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.
Known as "CDMX", Mexico City covers 1,485 km² with a population of 9.2 million. The city was established in 1325. Mexico City is known for Zocalo square, Chapultepec Park, Frida Kahlo Museum, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is 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.
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".
Also known as "Green City under the Sun", Nairobi has an area of 696 km² and is home to 4.7 million people. Its history stretches 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 Mexico City metropolitan area covers 7,854 km², which is 11.3x larger than greater Nairobi at 696 km². The Mexico City metro area is also more populous, with 21.8 million people compared to 4.7 million.
Mexico City has a population density of 6,202 people per km² — a densely populated city. Nairobi, with 6,796 people per km², is a densely populated city. Both cities have comparable density, though Nairobi is slightly more compact.
This comparison spans continents — Mexico City in North America versus Nairobi in Africa. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Both cities share a subtropical highland climate, though local geography creates distinct microclimates in each. When it's noon in Nairobi, it's 3:00 AM in Mexico City — a 9-hour time difference.
Size Ratio
Nairobi fits inside Mexico City ~2 times
Time Difference
9 hours apart
History
Mexico City is ~574 years older
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).
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 Mexico City to Nairobi is 14,817 km (9,207 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~17h 56m.
Want to explore more? Compare city sizes for any two cities worldwide, or share your location live with friends.