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France
USA
Area Comparison
Paris is 1.2x smaller than San Francisco
Population Comparison
Paris has 2.5x more people than San Francisco
San Francisco is significantly larger, covering 1.2 times the area of Paris. San Francisco spans 121 km² (47 mi²) while Paris covers 105 km² (41 mi²) — a difference of 16 km².
To put Paris's size in perspective, its area of 105 km² is about 1.2x smaller than San Francisco. Meanwhile, San Francisco at 121 km² is about 1.2x the size of Paris (city proper).
The capital of France and a global center for art and culture. Known as "City of Light", Paris covers 105 km² with a population of 2.2 million. The city was founded around 250 BC. Paris is known for Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, among other attractions. The city's main transit system is the Paris Métro.
Paris's city proper is tiny at 105 km², but its metro area is one of the largest in Europe
A cultural and financial center in Northern California. Often called "SF", San Francisco has an area of 121 km² and is home to 0.9 million people. The city dates 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
Looking beyond city limits, the Paris metropolitan area covers 17,174 km², which is 2.5x larger than greater San Francisco at 6,984 km². The Paris metro area is also more populous, with 12.3 million people compared to 4.7 million.
Paris has a population density of 20,571 people per km² — one of the most densely packed urban areas on Earth. San Francisco, with 7,190 people per km², is a densely populated city. Paris is noticeably denser, packing 2.9 times more people per square kilometer.
This comparison spans continents — Paris in Europe versus San Francisco in North America. Despite the geographic distance, comparing their sizes reveals surprising insights about how cities grow worldwide.
Paris has a oceanic climate while San Francisco experiences Mediterranean conditions. When it's noon in Paris, it's 3:00 AM in San Francisco — a 9-hour time difference.
Density Gap
Paris is 2.9x more densely populated
Time Difference
9 hours apart
History
Paris is ~2,026 years older
The straight-line distance from Paris to San Francisco is 8,953 km (5,563 miles), with an estimated flight time of ~11h 2m. See full distance details, including timezone difference and city facts.
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