Osaka vs San Francisco - City Size Comparison

Is Osaka Bigger Than San Francisco?

Yes — Osaka is 1.9x larger than San Francisco by area. Osaka spans 225 km² (87 mi²) while San Francisco covers 121 km² (47 mi²) — a difference of 104 km².

About Osaka

Japan's third-largest city and a culinary capital. Known as "The Kitchen of Japan", Osaka covers 225 km² with a population of 2.8 million. The city was established in 645. Osaka is known for Osaka Castle, Dotonbori district, Street food culture, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Osaka Metro.

Osaka residents spend more on food per capita than any other city in Japan

About San Francisco

A cultural and financial center in Northern California. Also known as "SF", San Francisco has an area of 121 km² and is home to 0.9 million people. Its history stretches back to 1776. Visitors come for Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Cable cars, and much more. Getting around is easy with the BART & Muni.

San Francisco's 121 km² makes it one of the smallest major US cities by area

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Osaka metropolitan area covers 13,228 km², which is 1.9x larger than greater San Francisco at 6,984 km². The Osaka metro area is also more populous, with 19.3 million people compared to 4.7 million.

Population Density

Osaka has a population density of 12,222 people per km² — an extremely dense urban environment. San Francisco, with 7,190 people per km², is a densely populated city. Osaka is noticeably denser, packing 1.7 times more people per square kilometer.

Climate & Time Zone

Osaka has a humid subtropical climate while San Francisco experiences Mediterranean conditions. Summers are notably different: Osaka averages 28°C compared to 17°C in San Francisco. When it's noon in Osaka, it's midnight in San Francisco — a 17-hour time difference.