How Big Is Los Angeles? Compare Its Size in Miles, Acres, Kilometers, and Population

The City of Los Angeles is well-known for many reasons, including being the center for the U.S. film and television industry and the world’s entertainment capital. With a population of 3,769,485 million people as of 2023, it’s the most populous (and largest, by size) city in all of California (but not the most densely populated — more on that later). Far behind it (but second in the state), San Diego has a population of 1,374,076. Next is San Jose, with 930,862 people, and San Francisco, with 715,717 people. 

Here’s just how big the largest city in California is, including various measurements in comparison to other popular U.S. cities.

History of Los Angeles

Los Angeles, a well-known city in Southern California, is home to America’s film and television industry — as well as many celebrities and influencers. Some common attractions include the Hollywood Sign, Paramount Pictures, Universal, Warner Brothers, Walk of Fame, and many more.

Originally, indigenous people inhabited the city of Los Angeles until Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo claimed the region for Spain in 1542. In 1781, the actual city was founded under Spanish governor Felipe de Neve. Eventually, after the Mexican–American War in 1850, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo established the city of Los Angeles and the state of California as part of the U.S.

How Many Acres Is Los Angeles?

The city of Los Angeles spans 321,000 acres. For reference, the entire state of Rhode Island is only 988,700 acres — just over three times the size of Los Angeles. California as a whole is 104,765,165 acres, taking up most of the West Coast of the U.S. 

How Many Square Miles (and KM) Is Los Angeles?

The city of Los Angeles is 502.7 square miles (1,302 km) (not to be confused with Los Angeles County, which is 4,752 square miles in size). The city has a population of about 3.8 million people. Unfortunately, however, it’s almost known for its high rates of homelessness. In fact, the city has about 42,000 unhoused people — a 2% increase since 2020.

As for race and ethnicity, 48.4% of Los Angeles’s population is Hispanic or Latino, followed by 28.1% white, 11.7% Asian, and 8.6% Black or African American.

How Big Is Los Angeles Compared to New York City?

New York City is 302.6 square miles, which is 200 square miles less than Los Angeles. However, New York City is way more populous and densely populated. While Los Angeles is home to about 3.8 million people, New York City boasts over 8.468 million people. This makes it the most populated and densely populated city in the country. Known as the “concrete jungle where dreams are made,” New York City has a ton of opportunities in various industries, including the arts, finance, and professional and business services. 

How Big Is Los Angeles Compared to Chicago?

Known for its unique architecture and music scene, Chicago is smaller than both New York City and Los Angeles, spanning 231.7 square miles. Its population is 2.697 million. Given how much smaller Chicago is than Los Angeles, Chicago is much more densely populated. The “Windy City,” situated on Lake Michigan, can thank its transcontinental railroad line and accessible waterways for its population density. Additionally, Chicago offers many job opportunities and has experienced recent job growth. Some prosperous industries include manufacturing, finance, professional, scientific, and technical services, and transportation and warehousing.

How Big Is Los Angeles Compared to San Francisco?

San Francisco is only 46.87 square miles in size but has a 2023 population of 715,717 people. Behind New York City, San Francisco is the most densely populated city in the U.S., with 18,790 persons per square mile. This makes the city almost three times as densely populated as Los Angeles. This is likely due to its concentrated area, corporate businesses, tourist attractions, and entertainment.

Summary of Los Angeles’s Size Compared to Major U.S. Cities

Here’s how Los Angeles compares to other major cities in the U.S.: