Which city is bigger, New York or Istanbul?

Istanbul is larger than New York City, both in terms of population and land area.

Istanbul: A Metropolis of Vast Scale

When comparing the overall size of New York City and Istanbul, the Turkish metropolis stands out as the larger urban center. This distinction holds true across key metrics, including the number of inhabitants and the geographical area it encompasses.

Population Dominance

Istanbul is home to a significantly greater number of people than New York City. Its sprawling urban fabric supports a massive population, making it one of the most populous cities in the world. This extensive human settlement contributes directly to its considerable scale compared to New York.

Expansive Land Area

Beyond just population, Istanbul also covers a considerably larger geographical area. Its official boundaries stretch across a vast expanse, integrating diverse districts, neighborhoods, and even some surrounding regions that are administratively part of the city. This broad physical footprint makes Istanbul geographically bigger.

The Nuance of "City" Definition

The perception of "city size" can often be influenced by how official city limits are defined, which varies significantly between countries and even within them.

• United States Context: In the U.S., including for a city like New York, the core city limits often do not include many adjacent suburbs. While these suburbs are functionally integrated into the larger metropolitan area, they are frequently counted as separate municipalities in official statistics. Residents living in these nearby areas might identify strongly with the central city, even if their address falls outside its official administrative boundaries.
• International Context: In contrast, many international cities, including Istanbul, have administrative boundaries that are much more expansive. These boundaries often encompass a wider region, integrating what might be considered separate towns or suburbs in the U.S. into the central city's official area and population count. This difference means that Istanbul's larger official population and land area figures often reflect a broader inclusion of its surrounding urban and peri-urban zones.

This varying approach to defining "city limits" helps explain why a city like Istanbul, with its encompassing administrative boundaries, officially registers as larger in both population and land area.

Comparative Overview