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Seoul vs Osaka

Osaka runs about 7% cheaper than Seoul for this household, a difference of 161 USD a month.

Hangang Park
Seoul
$2,363/month · South Korea
Wpcpey · CC BY 4.0
A view of the skyline of Osaka from Abeno Harukas on 5 May 2026. Focal length of this picture is 23 mm.
Osaka
$2,202/month · Japan
Loggieloggie · CC0
Seoul monthly
$2,363
Index 37 (NYC = 100)
Osaka monthly
$2,202
Index 35 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-7%
Osaka relative to Seoul
Rent gap
$150
Seoul costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

SeoulOsaka
  • Housing
    Housing: Seoul $900, Osaka $750. Cheaper in Osaka.
  • Food
    Food: Seoul $881, Osaka $734. Cheaper in Osaka.
  • Transport
    Transport: Seoul $100, Osaka $218. Cheaper in Seoul.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Seoul $165, Osaka $210. Cheaper in Seoul.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Seoul $16, Osaka $16. Cheaper in Seoul.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Seoul $193, Osaka $167. Cheaper in Osaka.
  • Other
    Other: Seoul $108, Osaka $108. Cheaper in Osaka.
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

MetricSeoulOsaka
Cost
Total monthly cost2,363 USD2,202 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)3735✓
Housing900 USD750 USD✓
Utilities165 USD✓210 USD
Food881 USD734 USD✓
Transport100 USD✓218 USD
Healthcare16 USD✓16 USD
Lifestyle193 USD167 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,446 USD✓4,509 USD
Effective tax + social rate34.6%✓45.9%
Left over each month3,083 USD✓2,307 USD
Average local net salary2,500 USD✓2,200 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre900 USD750 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre2,000 USD1,700 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre13,000 USD7,000 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety86/10092/100✓
Healthcare88/100✓86/100
Air quality50/10068/100✓
Public transport96/100✓94/100
Walkability88/100✓86/100
English proficiency44/100✓26/100
Nightlife92/100✓86/100
Family friendliness80/10082/100✓
Median broadband220 Mbps265 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature13°C✓17°C
Summer high29°C✓33°C
Winter low-6°C3°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,060 h✓2,050 h
Annual rainfall1400 mm1400 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access60 min40 min✓
CurrencyKRWJPY
Time zoneAsia/SeoulAsia/Tokyo

Osaka runs about 7% cheaper than Seoul for this household, a difference of 161 USD a month.

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Cost of living in SeoulCost of living in OsakaConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Seoul vs TaipeiSeoul vs TokyoSeoul vs Hong Kong
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Seoul or Osaka cheaper?

Osaka runs about 7% cheaper than Seoul for this household, a difference of 161 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Osaka compared with Seoul?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,446 a month in Seoul and $4,509 in Osaka, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Seoul or Osaka?

Seoul scores 86/100 on safety and 88/100 on healthcare; Osaka scores 92 and 86. Seoul averages 13°C against 17°C in Osaka.