Mexico City
1,485 km²
Washington D.C.
177 km²
Mexico
USA
Area Comparison
Mexico City is 8.4x larger than Washington D.C.
Population Comparison
Mexico City has 13.3x more people than Washington D.C.
Yes — Mexico City is 8.4x larger than Washington D.C. by area. Mexico City spans 1,485 km² (573 mi²) while Washington D.C. covers 177 km² (68 mi²) — a difference of 1,308 km². You could fit Washington D.C. inside Mexico City approximately 8 times.
To put Mexico City's size in perspective, its area of 1,485 km² is roughly the same size as London. Meanwhile, Washington D.C. at 177 km² is roughly the same size as Washington D.C..
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. Washington D.C., by comparison, equals about 25,000 American football fields, 88 times the area of Monaco, or 52 times the area of Central Park.
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.
Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia and commonly known as simply Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River across from Virginia and shares land borders with Maryland to its north and east. It was named after George Washington, a Founding Father and the first president of the United States.
Nicknamed "D.C.", Washington D.C. has an area of 177 km² and is home to 0.7 million people. Its history stretches back to 1790. Visitors come for White House, U.S. Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Washington Metro.
Washington D.C. sits on the Potomac River across from Virginia and is bordered by Maryland to its north and east
Looking beyond city limits, the Washington D.C. metropolitan area covers 14,412 km², which is 1.8x larger than greater Mexico City at 7,854 km². The Mexico City metro area is also more populous, with 21.8 million people compared to 6.3 million.
Mexico City has a population density of 6,202 people per km² — a densely populated city. Washington D.C., with 3,898 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Mexico City is noticeably denser, packing 1.6 times more people per square kilometer.
Both cities are in North America, but they represent different national approaches to urban development. Mexico City (Mexico) and Washington D.C. (USA) offer a fascinating regional contrast.
Mexico City has a subtropical highland climate while Washington D.C. experiences humid subtropical conditions.
Size Ratio
Washington D.C. fits inside Mexico City ~8 times
Density Gap
Mexico City is 1.6x more densely populated
History
Mexico City is ~465 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).
Washington D.C. covers 177 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Stockholm (188 km²), Brussels (161 km²), Buenos Aires (203 km²), Minneapolis (149 km²), or Helsinki (214 km²).
The straight-line distance from Mexico City to Washington D.C. is 3,032 km (1,884 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~4h 4m.
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