Nairobi
696 km²
Lagos
1,172 km²
Kenya
Nigeria
Area Comparison
Nairobi is 1.7x smaller than Lagos
Population Comparison
Nairobi has 3.3x fewer people than Lagos
Lagos is significantly larger, covering 1.7 times the area of Nairobi. Lagos spans 1,172 km² (453 mi²) while Nairobi covers 696 km² (269 mi²) — a difference of 476 km².
To put Nairobi's size in perspective, its area of 696 km² is about 1.1x smaller than New York City. Meanwhile, Lagos at 1,172 km² is about 1.3x the size of Berlin.
Picture Nairobi another way: its area is large enough to fit about 97,000 American football fields, 12 times the area of Manhattan, or 7 times the area of Paris. Lagos, by comparison, equals about 164,000 American football fields, 20 times the area of Manhattan, or 11 times the area of Paris.
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya, located in the south-central part of the country. As of 2024, it has a population of 4.8 million and a metropolitan population of 5.7 million, making it the 11th most populous city in Africa. Nicknamed the "Green City under the Sun", Nairobi is uniquely notable for being the only capital city in the world that hosts a national park within its boundaries. Its name originates from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, meaning "place of cool waters".
Known as "Green City under the Sun", Nairobi covers 696 km² with a population of 4.7 million. The city was established in 1899. Nairobi is known for Nairobi National Park, Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Nairobi Commuter Rail.
Nairobi is the only capital city in the world that hosts a national park within its boundaries.
Lagos, or Lagos City, is a large metropolitan port city in southwestern Nigeria. As of November 2025, the size of the city's population has been estimated to be between 17 and 21 million residents, making Lagos the largest city in Nigeria, the most populous urban area on the African continent, and one of the fastest-growing megacities in the world.
Also known as "Lasgidi", Lagos has an area of 1,172 km² and is home to 15.4 million people. The city dates back to 1472. Visitors come for Victoria Island, Lekki Conservation Centre, Nike Art Gallery, and much more. Getting around is easy with the Lagos Rail (Blue & Red Lines).
Lagos is the most populous urban area on the African continent, with an estimated 17 to 21 million residents as of 2025.
Looking beyond city limits, the Lagos metropolitan area covers 2,706 km², which is 3.9x larger than greater Nairobi at 696 km². The Lagos metro area is also more populous, with 21.0 million people compared to 4.7 million.
Nairobi has a population density of 6,796 people per km² — a densely populated city. Lagos, with 13,131 people per km², is an extremely dense urban environment. Lagos is noticeably denser, packing 1.9 times more people per square kilometer.
Both cities are in Africa, but they represent different national approaches to urban development. Nairobi (Kenya) and Lagos (Nigeria) offer a fascinating regional contrast.
Nairobi has a subtropical highland climate while Lagos experiences tropical savanna conditions. When it's noon in Nairobi, it's 10:00 AM in Lagos — a 2-hour time difference.
Density Gap
Lagos is 1.9x more densely populated
History
Lagos is ~427 years older
Nairobi covers 696 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Tehran (730 km²), Jakarta (662 km²), Singapore (733 km²), Bangalore (741 km²), or Hyderabad (650 km²).
Lagos covers 1,172 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include San Antonio (1,209 km²), Rio de Janeiro (1,221 km²), Hong Kong (1,114 km²), Rome (1,285 km²), or Los Angeles (1,302 km²).
The straight-line distance from Nairobi to Lagos is 3,812 km (2,369 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~4h 59m. See full distance details, including timezone difference and city facts.
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