I just put this answer here to help the learner; I am a learner of English as well. ;) - A city is an incorporated area with it's own government and some autonomy. - A town may have a town council, but it doesn't have the same autonomy or responsibility at the county and state levels.

Yes, there is a difference. For example, if you call metropolises such as Los Angeles, London, New York or Shanghai towns, you're likely going to get laughed at. It does get a little complicated though because sometimes rather small towns are called cities. If you are driving and see a sign that says "City Limit," it could be a small town but city is just used here because there really aren't signs that say "Town Limit." (At least I've never seen a "Town Limit" sign). Some major cities get nicknamed as towns (for example Chicago, which is a big city, is nicknamed "Chi-town."

Hmmm good question, I'd say town was smaller than a city, but also someone asked a similar question some time before, and it was something like when can you call a city, a city? And the answer is that there has to be an official document from royalty called a Royal Charter. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_charter Also a city has to have a cathedral.

In England the traditional use of 'city' showed that the area had a cathedral, a town can be the same size but will not have one. A village is a smaller population. Then it gets confusing check out 'Wells' the smallest city in England and theres hundreds of large towns.