Is San Francisco Bigger than Los Angeles or New York City?

When comparing the sizes of major American cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City, several factors come into play. These factors include population, land area, and the size of the metropolitan area. In this article, we will explore each of these aspects in detail to provide a comprehensive understanding of the relative sizes of these cities.

Population Comparisons

Firstly, let's examine the population data. In terms of population, New York City (NYC) is the undisputed leader:

New York City has more than twice the population of Los Angeles. Los Angeles has more than four times the population of San Francisco. New York City boasts a population of over 8.8 million, while Los Angeles has approximately 3.9 million. San Francisco, on the other hand, has a smaller population, ranking around 17th in the United States.

While San Francisco contributes significantly to the population of the San Francisco Bay Area, the city itself only accounts for a small portion of its overall population.

Land Area Considerations

When considering the physical land area, a different picture emerges:

Los Angeles, by most accounts, is the largest city by land area in the United States, boasting an extensive area of about 469 square miles. New York City is spread across multiple boroughs, with some parts densely populated and others more expansive. San Francisco, while a significant urban center, has a relatively small land area of just 48 square miles, making it the smallest of the three cities in terms of this metric.

The compact nature of San Francisco is quite surprising, given its significant cultural and economic importance.

Metropolitan Area Size

Further complicating the comparison, we need to take into account the size of the metropolitan areas surrounding these cities.

New York City has a vast metropolitan area, which includes places like Long Island and parts of New Jersey, totaling approximately 20 million people. Los Angeles has a smaller metropolitan area but still large, encompassing around 15 million people. San Francisco's metropolitan area is also significant, but it is much smaller, with a population of about 4.8 million.

The New York metro area is about four times larger than the San Francisco metro area, highlighting the vast difference in regional scale and population distribution.

Comparing Specific City Areas: Manhattan vs San Francisco

When comparing specific city areas, such as Manhattan and San Francisco:

Manhattan: Manhattan's total area is about 59.1 square kilometers. The population of Manhattan is approximately 1.62 million.

San Francisco: San Francisco's total area is about 121 square kilometers. The population of San Francisco is approximately 870,000.

Despite having less area, San Francisco has a higher population density, making it more crowded and more intense in terms of urban activities.

Concluding Thoughts

Based on the available data, New York is larger than San Francisco in terms of both population and metropolitan area. While San Francisco plays a significant role in the Bay Area and contributes considerably to its population, New York and Los Angeles surpass it in both population and overall geographic size.