Ever wondered how your living space compares to homes in other major cities? Cramped apartments in densely populated Asian metropolises contrast with sprawling residences in newer urban centers.
Exploring average dwelling sizes in 20 major cities reveals how cultural preferences, population density, and economic factors shape living spaces worldwide.
1. Hong Kong – 484 sq ft
Living in a shoebox isn’t just a figure of speech for Hong Kong residents! Many apartments are barely larger than a standard hotel room, forcing creative storage solutions and multi-purpose furniture.
Families often share these tiny spaces, making privacy a luxury rather than a right. Sky-high property prices have normalized micro-apartments in this vertical city.
2. Paris – 624 sq ft
Quaint Parisian apartments sacrifice space for historical charm and prime locations. Residents embrace the “less is more” philosophy, often living without amenities Americans take for granted like dishwashers or full-sized refrigerators.
What Parisians lose in square footage, they gain in architectural character – think ornate moldings, herringbone floors, and wrought-iron balconies overlooking romantic streetscapes.
3. Tokyo – 646 sq ft
Maximizing every inch becomes an art form in Tokyo’s compact dwellings. Sliding doors, foldaway tables, and storage-packed furniture transform spaces throughout the day as needs change.
Japanese minimalism isn’t just an aesthetic choice—it’s practical necessity! Despite tight quarters, meticulous organization and thoughtful design make these homes feel surprisingly comfortable and functional, reflecting centuries of space-conscious living traditions.
4. New York City – 866 sq ft
Splurging on a Manhattan studio might get you less space than a suburban garage! New Yorkers famously convert closets into home offices and bathtubs into extra storage when not in use.
Location trumps size in the city that never sleeps, with residents gladly trading square footage for proximity to world-class dining, entertainment, and career opportunities. Vertical living has become second nature in this iconic concrete jungle.
5. London – 818 sq ft
Snug Victorian conversions and purpose-built flats characterize London’s housing landscape. Residents often find themselves choosing between central location and spacious living—rarely can they afford both!
Period features like fireplaces and bay windows add character to otherwise modest spaces. Many Londoners spend eye-watering sums for properties that would be considered starter homes elsewhere, highlighting the premium placed on this global city’s real estate.
6. Singapore – 980 sq ft
Stepping into Singapore’s high-rise apartments reveals an impressive balance of space efficiency and comfort. Government-built HDB flats house over 80% of Singaporeans, offering standardized yet customizable living solutions.
Clever built-ins and multi-functional furniture maximize every square inch. Residents balance modest indoor spaces with access to abundant public amenities—immaculate parks and world-class shopping malls just steps away.
7. Rome – 861 sq ft
Ancient meets modern in typical Roman apartments where centuries-old buildings house surprisingly functional living spaces. Residents happily trade modern conveniences for the charm of living within walking distance of millennia of history.
Weathered wooden beams, terracotta floors, and sun-drenched terraces compensate for modest dimensions. Romans embrace the Mediterranean lifestyle by treating the entire city as an extension of their homes—dining, socializing, and relaxing in the eternal city’s piazzas.
8. Toronto – 982 sq ft
Caught between North American spaciousness and big-city density, Toronto offers relatively generous apartments by global standards. Newer high-rise condos dominate the skyline, featuring open-concept layouts and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Harsh winters make indoor space particularly valuable here. Residents willingly pay premium prices for units with practical features like in-suite laundry and underground parking—luxuries that would be unimaginable in many global cities of similar size and importance.
9. Seoul – 1,000 sq ft
Hitting the four-digit mark, Seoul apartments offer surprising spaciousness compared to other Asian capitals. Modern high-rises feature the latest smart home technology, keyless entry, AI-controlled heating systems etc.
Floor heating (ondol) remains a beloved traditional feature even in the newest buildings. Seoul’s rapid development means most residents live in relatively new construction with contemporary amenities, though sky-high prices keep many young professionals in shared housing arrangements.
10. Los Angeles – 1,200 sq ft
Sprawling across a vast area, LA offers considerably more breathing room than its East Coast rival. Indoor-outdoor living defines the SoCal lifestyle, with patios and balconies functioning as additional rooms most of the year.
Car culture shapes housing here—garages and parking spaces are essential amenities. Sleek Hollywood Hills apartments sit alongside Spanish-style duplexes in residential neighborhoods, highlighting LA’s diverse housing stock and its identity as a patchwork of distinct communities rather than one urban core.
11. Berlin – 968 sq ft
Generous by European standards, Berlin apartments often feature high ceilings and spacious rooms in historic Altbau buildings. Rent control policies have preserved affordability, making this creative capital a magnet for artists and entrepreneurs.
Distinctive architectural details like double doors between rooms and decorative stucco ceilings add character. Unlike many global cities, Berliners still enjoy relatively reasonable housing costs, though rapid gentrification threatens this status as the city grows in international popularity.
12. Sydney – 1,500 sq ft
Generous dimensions make Sydney homes among the largest on our list, reflecting Australia’s traditionally spacious living standards. Harbor views command astronomical premiums in this stunning coastal metropolis.
Outdoor living areas expand usable space in Sydney’s temperate climate. Beachside apartments sit alongside federation-style homes in leafy suburbs, offering diverse options—if budgets stretch far enough in this notoriously pricey market.
13. São Paulo – 969 sq ft
Vibrant and varied, São Paulo apartments reflect Brazil’s embrace of indoor-outdoor living. Balconies and terraces are considered essential, not optional, even in modest-sized units.
Security concerns have spawned fortress-like condominium complexes complete with amenities like pools and gyms. Middle-class Paulistanos typically enjoy more space than their European counterparts, though the city’s notorious traffic means location often trumps size in housing decisions for those who can afford to be choosy.
14. Mexico City – 753 sq ft
Colonial charm blends with modern functionality across Mexico City’s diverse housing stock. Art deco apartments in Condesa contrast sleek high-rises in Santa Fe, showcasing a wide range of architectural styles throughout the sprawling metropolis.
Courtyards and light wells bring natural illumination into otherwise modest spaces. Despite the relatively compact dimensions, family-oriented Mexican culture means these homes often accommodate multiple generations, with flexible spaces that transform from daytime living areas to nighttime sleeping quarters.
15. Beijing – 915 sq ft
Rapid modernization reshaped Beijing’s housing stock, replacing traditional hutongs with soaring apartment towers. New constructions favor practical layouts featuring separate kitchens and modest, functional bedrooms.
Pollution concerns have made air filtration systems standard in middle-class homes. Despite government cooling measures, housing remains extraordinarily expensive relative to local incomes, reflecting China’s cultural emphasis on property ownership as both investment and prerequisite for marriage.
16. Chicago – 1,150 sq ft
Windy City residents enjoy surprisingly spacious dwellings compared to coastal American cities. Classic Chicago features like vintage woodwork and bay windows add character to many apartments in historic neighborhoods.
Brutal winters make indoor comfort a priority, with radiator heating and insulated windows highly valued. Converted warehouses in the West Loop stand alongside classic three-flats in Lincoln Park, offering substantially more space per dollar than major cities on either coast.
17. Mumbai – 560 sq ft
Space comes at an astronomical premium in India’s financial capital, where millions squeeze into what outsiders might consider impossibly small quarters. Multigenerational families often share modest apartments, with clever partitioning creating semblances of privacy.
Resourceful residents maximize functionality through convertible furniture and vertical storage. Despite the constraints, Mumbai homes radiate warmth and personality through vibrant colors, textiles, and personal touches that transform compact spaces into true sanctuaries from the city’s relentless energy.
18. Dubai – 1,720 sq ft
Luxurious and lavish, Dubai apartments represent the pinnacle of our size comparison. Newer construction dominates this young metropolis, with high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows creating an even more spacious feel.
Opulent finishes like marble flooring and smart home technology come standard in many units. Unlike older global cities constrained by geography and history, Dubai’s purpose-built developments offer generous proportions that would be unimaginable in Paris or Hong Kong, reflecting the emirate’s ambitious vision and desert expanse.
19. Istanbul – 1,076 sq ft
Straddling two continents, Istanbul offers homes that blend European and Asian influences. Newer apartments feature contemporary amenities while maintaining traditional Turkish elements like hammam-inspired bathrooms.
Bosphorus views command premium prices in this city where water defines daily life. From Ottoman-era wooden houses (yalı) to sleek high-rises, Istanbul’s housing reflects its unique position as cultural crossroads, with surprisingly generous dimensions that allow for the Turkish tradition of hospitality.
20. Johannesburg – 1,130 sq ft
Sunshine and space characterize Johannesburg homes, where indoor-outdoor flow is essential to the South African lifestyle. Security features like gated complexes and alarm systems are unfortunately non-negotiable in this high-crime metropolis.
Garden apartments and townhouses provide more generous proportions compared to similar properties in European cities. Colonial-inspired architecture blends with contemporary designs influenced by African and European aesthetics, showcasing Joburg’s diverse housing stock and rich multicultural heritage.