City Map Compare/Moscow vs Rome
vs
5 km
|

Moscow

2,511 km²

Rome

1,285 km²

Moscow vs Rome - City Size Comparison

Moscow vs Rome - City Size Comparison

Moscow

Russia

Area2,511 km²
Population12.54M
Density4,994 /km²
Elevation156 m
Metro Pop.17.1M
Founded1147
Climatehumid continental
Rome

Italy

Area1,285 km²
Population2.87M
Density2,233 /km²
Elevation21 m
Metro Pop.4.3M
Founded753 BC
ClimateMediterranean

Area Comparison

Moscow is 2.0x larger than Rome

Population Comparison

Moscow has 4.4x more people than Rome

Is Moscow Bigger Than Rome?

In terms of area, Moscow is 2.0x the size of Rome. Moscow spans 2,511 km² (970 mi²) while Rome covers 1,285 km² (496 mi²) — a difference of 1,226 km².

To put Moscow's size in perspective, its area of 2,511 km² is roughly the same size as Luxembourg. Meanwhile, Rome at 1,285 km² is about 1.2x smaller than London.

Moscow's footprint is roughly about 352,000 American football fields, 42 times the area of Manhattan, or 24 times the area of Paris — pick whichever unit feels intuitive. For Rome, that's about 180,000 American football fields, 22 times the area of Manhattan, or 12 times the area of Paris.

About Moscow

Moscow is the capital and largest city of Russia, standing on the Moskva River in Central Russia. It has a population estimated at over 13 million residents within the city limits, over 19.1 million residents in the urban area, and over 21.5 million residents in its metropolitan area. The city covers an area of 2,511 square kilometers (970 mi2), while the urban area covers 5,891 square kilometers (2,275 mi2), and the metropolitan area covers over 26,000 square kilometers (10,000 mi2).

Known as "Third Rome", Moscow covers 2,511 km² with a population of 12.5 million. The city was established in 1147. Moscow is known for Red Square, Kremlin, Saint Basil's Cathedral, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Moscow Metro.

Moscow's metropolitan area covers over 26,000 square kilometers, making it one of the largest metropolitan footprints in Europe.

About Rome

Rome is the capital city and most populated comune (municipality) of Italy. It is also the administrative centre of the Lazio region and of the Metropolitan City of Rome. A special comune named Roma Capitale with a population of 2.7 million in an area of 1,287.36 km2 (497.1 mi2), Rome is the third most populous city in the European Union by population within city limits. The Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, with a population of 4.2 million, is the most populous metropolitan city in Italy.

Also known as "The Eternal City", Rome has an area of 1,285 km² and is home to 2.9 million people. Its history stretches back to 753 BC. Visitors come for Colosseum, Vatican City, Trevi Fountain, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Rome Metro.

Rome's special comune Roma Capitale spans 1,287 km2, making it the third most populous city in the EU within city limits

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Moscow metropolitan area covers 5,891 km², which is 1.1x larger than greater Rome at 5,352 km². The Moscow metro area is also more populous, with 17.1 million people compared to 4.3 million.

Population Density

Moscow has a population density of 4,994 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Rome, with 2,233 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Moscow is noticeably denser, packing 2.2 times more people per square kilometer.

Both cities are in Europe, but they represent different national approaches to urban development. Moscow (Russia) and Rome (Italy) offer a fascinating regional contrast.

Climate & Time Zone

Moscow has a humid continental climate while Rome experiences Mediterranean conditions. Winters differ dramatically: Rome stays around 8°C while Moscow drops to -8°C. When it's noon in Moscow, it's 10:00 AM in Rome — a 2-hour time difference.

Key Differences at a Glance

Density Gap

Moscow is 2.2x more densely populated

History

Rome is ~1,900 years older

Cities Similar in Size to Moscow

Moscow covers 2,511 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Cape Town (2,455 km²), Lima (2,672 km²), Tokyo (2,194 km²), Ho Chi Minh City (2,061 km²), or Cairo (3,085 km²).

Cities Similar in Size to Rome

Rome covers 1,285 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Los Angeles (1,302 km²), Phoenix (1,341 km²), Rio de Janeiro (1,221 km²), San Antonio (1,209 km²), or Lagos (1,172 km²).

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is larger, Moscow or Rome?
Moscow is 2.0 times larger than Rome by area. Moscow covers 2,511 km² while Rome spans 1,285 km², a difference of 1,226 km².
How many times does Rome fit inside Moscow?
Rome (1,285 km²) fits inside Moscow (2,511 km²) approximately 1 times. That means Moscow is 2.0x the area of Rome.
What is the population difference between Moscow and Rome?
Moscow has approximately 12.5 million people, while Rome has about 2.9 million. Moscow has 9.7 million more residents.
Which city is more densely populated, Moscow or Rome?
Moscow is more densely populated with 4,994 people per km², compared to 2,233 people per km².
Which city is older, Moscow or Rome?
Rome is older, founded around -753, while Moscow was established around 1147 — a difference of about 1900 years.
How does the map comparison work?
Our synchronized map comparison tool displays both cities at the same zoom level. When you zoom in or out on one map, the other automatically adjusts to maintain the same scale, allowing you to directly compare the relative sizes of both cities.
Can I compare other cities?
Yes! Use the city selectors at the top of the page to choose any two cities from our database of 50+ major cities worldwide, or enter custom coordinates for any location.

Distance Between Moscow and Rome

The straight-line distance from Moscow to Rome is 2,375 km (1,476 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~3h 18m.

Want to explore more? Compare city sizes for any two cities worldwide, or share your location live with friends.