Moscow
2,511 km²
Seoul
605 km²
Russia
South Korea
Area Comparison
Moscow is 4.2x larger than Seoul
Population Comparison
Moscow has 1.3x more people than Seoul
Yes — Moscow is 4.2x larger than Seoul by area. Moscow spans 2,511 km² (970 mi²) while Seoul covers 605 km² (234 mi²) — a difference of 1,906 km². You could fit Seoul inside Moscow approximately 4 times.
To put Moscow's size in perspective, its area of 2,511 km² is roughly the same size as Luxembourg. Meanwhile, Seoul at 605 km² is about 1.3x smaller than New York City.
In more relatable units, Moscow's 2,511 km² is about 352,000 American football fields, 42 times the area of Manhattan, or 24 times the area of Paris. Seoul, by comparison, equals about 85,000 American football fields, 180 times the area of Central Park, or 10 times the area of Manhattan.
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.
Seoul, officially Seoul Special Metropolitan City, is the capital and largest city of South Korea, and the largest city in the whole of Korea. The broader Seoul Metropolitan Area, encompassing Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, emerged as the world's sixth largest metropolitan economy in 2022, behind New York, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Paris, and London, and hosts more than half of South Korea's population.
Seoul has an area of 605 km² and is home to 9.8 million people. The city dates back to 18 BC. Visitors come for Gyeongbokgung Palace, Gangnam district, Myeongdong shopping, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Seoul Metro.
Seoul Metropolitan Area emerged as the world's sixth largest metropolitan economy in 2022, behind only NYC, Tokyo, LA, Paris, and London.
Looking beyond city limits, the Seoul metropolitan area covers 11,704 km², which is 2.0x larger than greater Moscow at 5,891 km². The Seoul metro area is also more populous, with 25.5 million people compared to 17.1 million.
Moscow has a population density of 4,994 people per km² — a moderately dense city. Seoul, with 16,149 people per km², is an extremely dense urban environment. Seoul is dramatically more crowded, with 3.2x the population density.
This comparison spans continents — Moscow in Europe versus Seoul in Asia. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Both cities share a humid continental climate, though local geography creates distinct microclimates in each. When it's noon in Seoul, it's 6:00 AM in Moscow — a 6-hour time difference.
Size Ratio
Seoul fits inside Moscow ~4 times
Density Gap
Seoul is 3.2x more densely populated
Time Difference
6 hours apart
History
Seoul is ~1,165 years older
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).
Seoul covers 605 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Chicago (606 km²), Madrid (604 km²), Mumbai (603 km²), Toronto (630 km²), or Hyderabad (650 km²).
The straight-line distance from Moscow to Seoul is 6,606 km (4,104 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~8h 16m.
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