City Map Compare/Osaka vs Zurich
vs
5 km
|

Osaka

225 km²

Zurich

88 km²

Osaka vs Zurich - City Size Comparison

Osaka vs Zurich - City Size Comparison

Osaka

Japan

Area225 km²
Population2.75M
Density12,222 /km²
Elevation3 m
Metro Pop.19.3M
Founded645
Climatehumid subtropical
Zurich

Switzerland

Area88 km²
Population0.43M
Density4,886 /km²
Elevation408 m
Metro Pop.1.4M
Founded15 BC
Climateoceanic

Area Comparison

Osaka is 2.6x larger than Zurich

Population Comparison

Osaka has 6.4x more people than Zurich

Is Osaka Bigger Than Zurich?

Yes — Osaka is 2.6x larger than Zurich by area. Osaka spans 225 km² (87 mi²) while Zurich covers 88 km² (34 mi²) — a difference of 137 km². You could fit Zurich inside Osaka approximately 2 times.

To put Osaka's size in perspective, its area of 225 km² is roughly the same size as Amsterdam. Meanwhile, Zurich at 88 km² is about 1.2x smaller than Paris (city proper).

In more relatable units, Osaka's 225 km² is about 32,000 American football fields, 110 times the area of Monaco, or 66 times the area of Central Park. Zurich, by comparison, equals about 12,000 American football fields, 180 times the area of Vatican City, or 44 times the area of Monaco.

About Osaka

Osaka is a designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the third-most populous city in Japan, following the special wards of Tokyo and Yokohama. With an estimated population of 2,816,247 as of October 1, 2025 and a population density of about 12,505 people per square kilometer, it is the largest component of the Keihanshin Metropolitan Area, the second-largest metropolitan area in Japan and the 10th-largest urban…

Known as "Nation's Kitchen", 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, Universal Studios Japan, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Osaka Metro.

Osaka is the third-most populous city in Japan, following the special wards of Tokyo and Yokohama.

About Zurich

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is in north-central Switzerland, at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich. As of the end of 2024, the municipality had a population of 436,551, while the urban area was home to 1.45 million people (2020), and the Zurich metropolitan area had a total population of 2.1 million (2020). Zurich is a hub for railways, roads, and air traffic.

Zurich has an area of 88 km² and is home to 0.4 million people. The city dates back to 15 BC. Visitors come for Lake Zurich, Bahnhofstrasse, Grossmünster, and much more. Getting around is easy with the ZVV (S-Bahn & Tram).

Zurich is Switzerland's largest city and sits at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich in north-central Switzerland.

Metropolitan Area Comparison

Looking beyond city limits, the Osaka metropolitan area covers 13,228 km², which is 9.9x larger than greater Zurich at 1,334 km². The Osaka metro area is also more populous, with 19.3 million people compared to 1.4 million.

Population Density

Osaka has a population density of 12,222 people per km² — an extremely dense urban environment. Zurich, with 4,886 people per km², is a moderately dense city. Osaka is noticeably denser, packing 2.5 times more people per square kilometer.

This comparison spans continents — Osaka in Asia versus Zurich in Europe. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.

Climate & Time Zone

Osaka has a humid subtropical climate while Zurich experiences oceanic conditions. Summers are notably different: Osaka averages 28°C compared to 19°C in Zurich. When it's noon in Osaka, it's 4:00 AM in Zurich — a 8-hour time difference.

Key Differences at a Glance

Size Ratio

Zurich fits inside Osaka ~2 times

Density Gap

Osaka is 2.5x more densely populated

Time Difference

8 hours apart

History

Zurich is ~660 years older

Cities Similar in Size to Osaka

Osaka covers 225 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Amsterdam (219 km²), Boston (232 km²), Helsinki (214 km²), Kuala Lumpur (243 km²), or Buenos Aires (203 km²).

Cities Similar in Size to Zurich

Zurich covers 88 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Copenhagen (91 km²), Lisbon (100 km²), Barcelona (101 km²), Paris (105 km²), or Vancouver (115 km²).

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Osaka actually bigger than Zurich?
Osaka is 2.6 times larger than Zurich by area. Osaka covers 225 km² while Zurich spans 88 km², a difference of 137 km².
How many times does Zurich fit inside Osaka?
Zurich (88 km²) fits inside Osaka (225 km²) approximately 2 times. That means Osaka is 2.6x the area of Zurich.
What is the population difference between Osaka and Zurich?
Osaka has approximately 2.8 million people, while Zurich has about 0.4 million. Osaka has 2.3 million more residents.
Which city is more densely populated, Osaka or Zurich?
Osaka is more densely populated with 12,222 people per km², compared to 4,886 people per km².
What is the time difference between Osaka and Zurich?
Osaka is in the UTC+9 timezone while Zurich is UTC+1. There is a 8-hour time difference between the two cities.
Which city is older, Osaka or Zurich?
Zurich is older, founded around -15, while Osaka was established around 645 — a difference of about 660 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 Osaka and Zurich

The straight-line distance from Osaka to Zurich is 9,471 km (5,885 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~11h 39m.

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