Civ 7 Guide: When to Convert a Town to a City in Civ 7 | Civilization 7

Image Credits: Firaxis Games, Civilization 7 (Civ 7)

In Civ 7, towns and cities serve different roles. Towns generate gold and food, while cities focus on science, culture, and production. Knowing when to convert a town into a city is important for keeping your empire balanced and strong.

Key Differences Between Towns and Cities

• Towns: Generate gold and food, but can’t build science or culture buildings.

• Cities: Can build science, culture, and production buildings, but require more management.

The ideal ratio is often 1 city for every 1 town to balance growth, economy, and research.

When to Convert a Town to a City

1. When You Need More Science or Culture

• Cities unlock key research and cultural progress.

• If your empire is falling behind in technology or policies, converting a town into a city helps.

2. When the Town Has High Production Potential

• Cities need good production to build districts, wonders, and units faster.

• Best locations for city upgrades:

  • Hills – Great for production.

  • Near rivers – Boosts growth and adjacency bonuses.

  • Near forests or quarries – Can be converted into powerful industrial zones.

3. When the Town Has Reached a Large Population

• Towns grow faster than cities, but once they hit max size, extra food is wasted.

• If a town has plenty of food and a high population, converting it allows for further expansion.

4. If You Need More Cities for a Balanced Empire

• Keeping a 1:1 ratio of cities to towns ensures you don’t fall behind in science and culture.

• If you have too many towns and not enough cities, it’s time to convert one.

5. If the Town Has Poor Food Production

• Some towns struggle to grow due to bad food tiles.

• Converting them to a city with good production buildings makes them more useful.

When to Keep a Town Instead of Converting

• If it's a coastal food hub – Some towns send food to cities, making them essential for empire-wide growth.

• If it's a mining town – High-production towns with mines, quarries, or lumber mills generate tons of gold without needing city infrastructure.

• If you need more gold – Towns provide steady income without requiring extra management.

Final Blurb

Converting a town to a city is not always necessary, but if you need more science, culture, or production, it’s a smart move. Look for high-population towns with good production potential and turn them into cities when your empire needs to grow beyond just gold and food.

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