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Hong Kong vs Seoul

Seoul runs about 31% cheaper than Hong Kong for this household, a difference of 1,072 USD a month.

Happy Valley Racecourse at night
Hong Kong
$3,435/month · Hong Kong SAR
TypeZero · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hangang Park
Seoul
$2,363/month · South Korea
Wpcpey · CC BY 4.0
Hong Kong monthly
$3,435
Index 54 (NYC = 100)
Seoul monthly
$2,363
Index 37 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-31%
Seoul relative to Hong Kong
Rent gap
$1,300
Hong Kong costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Hong KongSeoul
  • Housing
    Housing: Hong Kong $2,200, Seoul $900. Cheaper in Seoul.
  • Food
    Food: Hong Kong $672, Seoul $881. Cheaper in Hong Kong.
  • Transport
    Transport: Hong Kong $88, Seoul $100. Cheaper in Hong Kong.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Hong Kong $171, Seoul $165. Cheaper in Seoul.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Hong Kong $32, Seoul $16. Cheaper in Seoul.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Hong Kong $180, Seoul $193. Cheaper in Hong Kong.
  • Other
    Other: Hong Kong $91, Seoul $108. Cheaper in Hong Kong.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricHong KongSeoul
Cost
Total monthly cost3,435 USD2,363 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)5437✓
Housing2,200 USD900 USD✓
Utilities171 USD165 USD✓
Food672 USD✓881 USD
Transport88 USD✓100 USD
Healthcare32 USD16 USD✓
Lifestyle180 USD✓193 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr7,155 USD✓5,446 USD
Effective tax + social rate14.1%✓34.6%
Left over each month3,720 USD✓3,083 USD
Average local net salary3,000 USD✓2,500 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,200 USD900 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre4,600 USD2,000 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre22,000 USD13,000 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety86/10086/100
Healthcare84/10088/100✓
Air quality52/100✓50/100
Public transport98/100✓96/100
Walkability92/100✓88/100
English proficiency72/100✓44/100
Nightlife84/10092/100✓
Family friendliness74/10080/100✓
Median broadband290 Mbps✓220 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature24°C13°C✓
Summer high31°C29°C✓
Winter low15°C✓-6°C
Sunshine hours per year1,830 h2,060 h✓
Annual rainfall2400 mm1400 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access25 min✓60 min
CurrencyHKDKRW
Time zoneAsia/Hong_KongAsia/Seoul

Seoul runs about 31% cheaper than Hong Kong for this household, a difference of 1,072 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in Hong KongCost of living in SeoulConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Hong Kong vs TokyoHong Kong vs TaipeiHong Kong vs Osaka
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Hong Kong or Seoul cheaper?

Seoul runs about 31% cheaper than Hong Kong for this household, a difference of 1,072 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Seoul compared with Hong Kong?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $7,155 a month in Hong Kong and $5,446 in Seoul, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Hong Kong or Seoul?

Hong Kong scores 86/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Seoul scores 86 and 88. Hong Kong averages 24°C against 13°C in Seoul.