Difference between City and State

Key Difference: A city is a large and permanent settlement. Whereas, a state is a larger area, which is often governed by its own government, known as the State Government. A state is usually bigger in area than a city, and it often incorporates various cities, counties, regions, villages, towns, etc.

Cities and states are mainly just ways of dividing up land geographically for political reasons. There are many ways of distinguishing a city from a state; the most obvious way is the fact that a state is generally mush larger in size than a city.

A city is a large and permanent settlement. It covers a significant area of land that has a shared historical background. Cities may have a particular administrative, legal, or historical status based on local law. Cities usually have their own court systems, law enforcement, fire departments, sanitation services and medical care centers. The chief executive of a city is the Mayor. Geographically, the largest city in the world is Tokyo, Japan, while the largest city in the United States is Los Angeles, California.

Whereas, a state is a larger area, which is often governed by its own government, known as the State Government. These state governments run as part or a sub-part of the federal government. They have to ensure that the laws mandated by the federal government are implemented in the state. The state governments also have the power to draft their own laws which will be implemented within the state boundaries.

A state is usually bigger in area than a city, and it often incorporates various cities, counties, regions, villages, towns, etc. The provide support for the cities and towns, and in they receive support from the federal government.

Comparison between City and State:

	City	State
Definition	A city is a large and permanent settlement.	A state is a larger area, which is often governed by its own government.
Size	Smaller than a state	Larger than a city
Population	Smaller than a state	Larger than a city
Incorporates	Boroughs, suburbs, neighborhoods, residential areas, commercial areas, etc.	Cities, counties, regions, villages, towns, etc.
Government	Controls the city, implements laws, and ensures safety of citizens.	Controls the city, implements state-wide laws, may delegate day to day running of cities to city governments.
Example	New York City, Los Angeles, London, Berlin, Tokyo, Shanghai, etc.	New York, California, Florida, Maharashtra, etc.