São Luís Population 2026
São Luís has a population of 917,237, making it the #16 biggest city in 🇧🇷 Brazil, located in Maranhão. Roughly 0.4% of Brazil's population lives here. It is about 14× smaller than São Paulo, the country's biggest city.
Population (city proper)
917,237
Rank in Brazil
#16
Coordinates
2.53°S, 44.30°W
~29 m elevation · America/Fortaleza
Distance to capital (Brasília)
1,526 km
948 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Maranhão
| City | Population | Rank in Brazil |
|---|---|---|
| São José de Ribamar | 244,579 | #114 |
| Imperatriz | 218,106 | #133 |
| Timon | 174,465 | #166 |
| Caxias | 156,973 | #187 |
| Paço do Lumiar | 145,643 | #202 |
| Codó | 114,275 | #273 |
| Açailândia | 106,550 | #296 |
| Bacabal | 103,711 | #313 |
Cities near São Luís
- Alcântara18,467 people · ~19 km away
- Paço do Lumiar145,643 people · ~22 km away
- Raposa30,839 people · ~25 km away
- São José de Ribamar244,579 people · ~27 km away
- Icatu24,794 people · ~38 km away
- Rosário38,475 people · ~46 km away
FAQ
What is the population of São Luís?
São Luís has a population of 917,237 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #16 biggest city in Brazil.
What region is São Luís in?
São Luís is located in Maranhão, Brazil.
Is São Luís the capital of Brazil?
No, the capital of Brazil is Brasília, about 1,526 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.