Urban vs. Metropolitan — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 12, 2023

Urban refers to cities or towns, characterized by high human population density. Metropolitan relates to a large city or its surrounding areas, often constituting a significant economic, political, and cultural hub.

Difference Between Urban and Metropolitan

Table of Contents

➝ Key Differences ➝ Comparison Chart ➝ Definitions ➝ FAQs

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Key Differences

"Metropolitan," on the other hand, primarily refers to a major city and its surrounding regions. These regions can encompass nearby towns, smaller cities, and even rural areas that are economically and socially integrated with the main city. It's the hub of activity, both economically and culturally.

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Metropolitan areas, often termed as "metros," are typically the nerve centers for a country's or region's economy, politics, and culture. A metropolitan area might span multiple urban areas, all interconnected and interdependent.

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The term "Urban" generally pertains to anything related to cities or towns. These areas are defined by a higher density of human structures and population compared to areas surrounding it. Urban areas can vary in size, from small towns to sprawling cities.

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Urban development focuses on the growth, infrastructure, and challenges of cities and towns. These challenges may include housing, transportation, and basic amenities. As cities expand, they can transition from merely urban to being part of a metropolitan region.

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In essence, while all metropolitan areas are urban, not all urban areas are metropolitan. The latter term implies a greater scale and influence than the former.

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Comparison Chart

Definition

Relating to cities or towns

Concerning a large city and its surrounding regions

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Scale

Can range from small towns to large cities

Typically larger cities with influential regions

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Composition

Mostly dense human structures and population

Major city plus neighboring towns and rural areas

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Economic Significance

Varies; not always the main hub

Often a significant economic and cultural hub

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Integration

Self-contained

Interconnected regions with socio-economic ties

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Definitions

Urban

Relating to urban culture or fashion.

Urban streetwear is trendy.

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Metropolitan

Encompassing a city and its suburbs.

The metropolitan region is vast and diverse.

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Urban

Pertaining to a city or town.

Urban development is on the rise.

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Metropolitan

Significant in scale or influence.

Metropolitan centers drive the national economy.

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Urban

Characterized by higher population density.

Urban areas face unique challenges.

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Metropolitan

Concerning a major city.

The metropolitan area is booming with activity.

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Urban

Of, relating to, or located in a city.

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Metropolitan

Of, relating to, or characteristic of a major city

Crowded metropolitan streets.

A metropolitan newspaper.

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Urban

Characteristic of the city or city life.

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Metropolitan

Of or constituting a large city or urbanized area, including adjacent suburbs and towns

The Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area.

A metropolitan county.

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Urban

Related to the (or any) city.

Urban life

Urban traffic

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Metropolitan

Of, relating to, or constituting the home territory of an imperial or colonial state.

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Urban

Characteristic of city life.

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Metropolitan

Of or relating to an ecclesiastical metropolitan.

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Urban

Relating to contemporary African American culture, especially in music.

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Metropolitan

A citizen of a metropolis, especially one who displays urbane characteristics, attitudes, and values.

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Urban

(of inhabitants or residents) Black; African American.

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Metropolitan

In the Western Christian churches, a bishop with provincial powers, with some authority over suffragan bishops.

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Urban

Of or belonging to a city or town; as, an urban population.

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Metropolitan

In most Eastern Orthodox churches, a bishop who is head of an ecclesiastical province and ranks next below the patriarch.

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Urban

Belonging to, or suiting, those living in a city; cultivated; polite; urbane; as, urban manners.

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Metropolitan

In the Greek Orthodox church, a bishop ranking next below an archbishop.

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Urban

Relating to or concerned with a city or densely populated area;

Urban sociology

Urban development

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Metropolitan

(Orthodox Christianity) A bishop empowered to oversee other bishops; an archbishop.

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Urban

Located in or characteristic of a city or city life;

Urban property owners

Urban affairs

Urban manners

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Metropolitan

The inhabitant of a metropolis.

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Urban

Denoting the lifestyle of cities.

She prefers urban living.

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Metropolitan

(Orthodox Christianity) Pertaining to the see or province of a metropolitan.

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Urban

Involving city infrastructure and services.

Urban planning is crucial for sustainable growth.

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Metropolitan

Of, or pertaining to, a metropolis or other large urban settlement.

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Metropolitan

Of or pertaining to the parent state of a colony or territory, or the home country, e.g. metropolitan France

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Metropolitan

Of or pertaining to the capital or principal city of a country; as, metropolitan luxury.

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Metropolitan

Of, pertaining to, or designating, a metropolitan or the presiding bishop of a country or province, his office, or his dignity; as, metropolitan authority.

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Metropolitan

The superior or presiding bishop of a country or province.

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Metropolitan

An archbishop.

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Metropolitan

A bishop whose see is a civil metropolis. His rank is intermediate between that of an archbishop and a patriarch; as, the metropolitan of Constantinople.

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Metropolitan

In the Eastern Orthodox Church this title is given to a position between bishop and patriarch; equivalent to archbishop in western Christianity

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Metropolitan

A person who lives in a metropolis

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Metropolitan

Relating to or characteristic of a metropolis;

Metropolitan area

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Metropolitan

Relating to or denoting a metropolis.

Metropolitan lifestyle attracts many.

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Metropolitan

Covering multiple urban areas.

The metropolitan transit system links several cities.

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FAQs

What does "Urban" primarily refer to?

Urban mainly pertains to cities or towns.

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Is a metropolitan area larger than an urban area?

Generally, yes. A metropolitan area includes a major city and its surrounding areas.

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Are all urban areas part of a metropolitan region?

No, not all urban areas are metropolitan, but all metropolitan areas are urban.

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Can a small town be considered urban?

Yes, any area characterized by higher population density and infrastructure compared to its surroundings can be considered urban.

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Which term implies a significant economic hub?

Metropolitan implies a major economic, political, and cultural hub.

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.