We analyzed vegetation differences between 83,102 cities and their surrounding rural areas worldwide, using satellite data. Most cities (94%) have less vegetation cover than rural areas, but vegetation structure, such as tree height and leaf volume, shows more complex patterns. For example, nearly 20% of cities have taller trees, while only 5% of cities have more leaf volume. Temperature and precipitation strongly influences these differences. Tropical cities lose the most tree cover, while Temperate and Continental cities lose taller trees. Arid cities show smallest tree cover and structure gaps. Socioeconomic factors also matter. More developed cities (Global North) generally have taller trees and higher vegetation but show greater urban-rural contrasts than cities in the Global South. Additionally, urban tree cover has less fluctuations across seasons, relative to their surrounding rural areas.

Our findings help clarify changes in greenspaces following global urban expansion, providing crucial information to improve urban planning and maintain healthy, sustainable urban environments.