Mexico City
1,485 km²
Tokyo
2,194 km²
Mexico
Japan
Area Comparison
Mexico City is 1.5x smaller than Tokyo
Population Comparison
Mexico City has 1.5x fewer people than Tokyo
Tokyo is significantly larger, covering 1.5 times the area of Mexico City. Tokyo spans 2,194 km² (847 mi²) while Mexico City covers 1,485 km² (573 mi²) — a difference of 709 km².
To put Mexico City's size in perspective, its area of 1,485 km² is roughly the same size as London. Meanwhile, Tokyo at 2,194 km² is about 1.1x smaller than Moscow.
Picture Mexico City another way: its area is large enough to fit about 208,000 American football fields, 25 times the area of Manhattan, or 14 times the area of Paris. For Tokyo, that's about 307,000 American football fields, 37 times the area of Manhattan, or 21 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.
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.
Often called "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 1.7x larger than greater Mexico City at 7,854 km². The Tokyo metro area is also more populous, with 37.4 million people compared to 21.8 million.
Mexico City has a population density of 6,202 people per km² — a densely populated city. Tokyo, with 6,363 people per km², is a densely populated city. Both cities have comparable density, though Tokyo is slightly more compact.
This comparison spans continents — Mexico City in North America versus Tokyo in Asia. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Mexico City has a subtropical highland climate while Tokyo experiences humid subtropical conditions. Summers are notably different: Tokyo averages 27°C compared to 18°C in Mexico City. When it's noon in Tokyo, it's midnight in Mexico City — a 15-hour time difference.
Time Difference
15 hours apart
History
Mexico City is ~132 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).
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 Mexico City to Tokyo is 11,310 km (7,028 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~13h 48m.
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