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Seoul vs Taipei

Taipei runs about 26% cheaper than Seoul for this household, a difference of 616 USD a month.

Hangang Park
Seoul
$2,363/month · South Korea
Wpcpey · CC BY 4.0
View of the North Gate of Taipei City from the northwest
Taipei
$1,747/month · Taiwan
Bahnfrend · CC BY-SA 4.0
Seoul monthly
$2,363
Index 37 (NYC = 100)
Taipei monthly
$1,747
Index 27 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-26%
Taipei relative to Seoul
Rent gap
$50
Seoul costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

SeoulTaipei
  • Housing
    Housing: Seoul $900, Taipei $850. Cheaper in Taipei.
  • Food
    Food: Seoul $881, Taipei $533. Cheaper in Taipei.
  • Transport
    Transport: Seoul $100, Taipei $91. Cheaper in Taipei.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Seoul $165, Taipei $88. Cheaper in Taipei.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Seoul $16, Taipei $12. Cheaper in Taipei.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Seoul $193, Taipei $107. Cheaper in Taipei.
  • Other
    Other: Seoul $108, Taipei $66. Cheaper in Taipei.
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

MetricSeoulTaipei
Cost
Total monthly cost2,363 USD1,747 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)3727✓
Housing900 USD850 USD✓
Utilities165 USD88 USD✓
Food881 USD533 USD✓
Transport100 USD91 USD✓
Healthcare16 USD12 USD✓
Lifestyle193 USD107 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,446 USD6,797 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate34.6%18.4%✓
Left over each month3,083 USD5,050 USD✓
Average local net salary2,500 USD✓1,800 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre900 USD850 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre2,000 USD1,700 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre13,000 USD9,500 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety86/10088/100✓
Healthcare88/100✓86/100
Air quality50/10058/100✓
Public transport96/100✓92/100
Walkability88/100✓84/100
English proficiency44/10044/100
Nightlife92/100✓80/100
Family friendliness80/10082/100✓
Median broadband220 Mbps✓180 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature13°C✓23°C
Summer high29°C✓34°C
Winter low-6°C14°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,060 h✓1,400 h
Annual rainfall1400 mm✓2400 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access60 min40 min✓
CurrencyKRWTWD
Time zoneAsia/SeoulAsia/Taipei

Taipei runs about 26% cheaper than Seoul for this household, a difference of 616 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in SeoulCost of living in TaipeiConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Seoul or Taipei cheaper?

Taipei runs about 26% cheaper than Seoul for this household, a difference of 616 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Taipei compared with Seoul?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,446 a month in Seoul and $6,797 in Taipei, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Seoul or Taipei?

Seoul scores 86/100 on safety and 88/100 on healthcare; Taipei scores 88 and 86. Seoul averages 13°C against 23°C in Taipei.