Mexico City
1,485 km²
São Paulo
1,521 km²
Mexico
Brazil
Area Comparison
Mexico City is 1.0x smaller than São Paulo
Population Comparison
Mexico City has 1.3x fewer people than São Paulo
Yes — São Paulo is 1.0x larger than Mexico City by area. São Paulo spans 1,521 km² (587 mi²) while Mexico City covers 1,485 km² (573 mi²) — a difference of 36 km².
To put Mexico City's size in perspective, its area of 1,485 km² is roughly the same size as London. Meanwhile, São Paulo at 1,521 km² is roughly the same size as London.
In more relatable units, Mexico City's 1,485 km² is about 208,000 American football fields, 25 times the area of Manhattan, or 14 times the area of Paris. São Paulo works out to about 213,000 American football fields, 26 times the area of Manhattan, or 14 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.
São Paulo is the capital city of the state of the same name, as well as the most populous city in Brazil, South America, the Americas, and in both the Western and Southern Hemispheres. The city exerts international influence in commerce, finance, culture, gastronomy, arts, fashion, technology, entertainment and media, having been listed by UNESCO's Creative Cities Network as a "City of Film" and the title of "World Capital of Gastronomy", and by the Globalization and World Cities Research…
Also known as "Sampa", São Paulo has an area of 1,521 km² and is home to 12.3 million people. It was established in 1554. Visitors come for Avenida Paulista, Ibirapuera Park, São Paulo Museum of Art, and much more. Getting around is easy with the São Paulo Metro.
São Paulo is the most populous city in Brazil, the Americas, and both the Western and Southern Hemispheres.
Looking beyond city limits, the São Paulo metropolitan area covers 7,947 km², which is 1.0x larger than greater Mexico City at 7,854 km². The São Paulo metro area is also more populous, with 22.0 million people compared to 21.8 million.
Mexico City has a population density of 6,202 people per km² — a densely populated city. São Paulo, with 8,107 people per km², is a densely populated city. Both cities have comparable density, though São Paulo is slightly more compact.
This comparison spans continents — Mexico City in North America versus São Paulo in South America. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Mexico City has a subtropical highland climate while São Paulo experiences humid subtropical conditions. When it's noon in São Paulo, it's 9:00 AM in Mexico City — a 3-hour time difference.
Density Gap
São Paulo is 1.3x more densely populated
Time Difference
3 hours apart
History
Mexico City is ~229 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).
São Paulo covers 1,521 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Mexico City (1,485 km²), Delhi (1,484 km²), Bangkok (1,569 km²), London (1,572 km²), or Bogotá (1,578 km²).
The straight-line distance from Mexico City to São Paulo is 7,432 km (4,618 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~9h 15m.
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