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Seoul vs Tokyo

Seoul runs about 10% cheaper than Tokyo for this household, a difference of 225 USD a month.

Hangang Park
Seoul
$2,363/month · South Korea
Wpcpey · CC BY 4.0
Rainbow bridge, view from Daibo park, Tokyo
Tokyo
$2,588/month · Japan
Sergey Galyonkin · CC BY-SA 2.0
Seoul monthly
$2,363
Index 37 (NYC = 100)
Tokyo monthly
$2,588
Index 41 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+10%
Tokyo relative to Seoul
Rent gap
$150
Tokyo costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

SeoulTokyo
  • Housing
    Housing: Seoul $900, Tokyo $1,050. Cheaper in Seoul.
  • Food
    Food: Seoul $881, Tokyo $780. Cheaper in Tokyo.
  • Transport
    Transport: Seoul $100, Tokyo $232. Cheaper in Seoul.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Seoul $165, Tokyo $216. Cheaper in Seoul.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Seoul $16, Tokyo $17. Cheaper in Seoul.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Seoul $193, Tokyo $179. Cheaper in Tokyo.
  • Other
    Other: Seoul $108, Tokyo $114. Cheaper in Seoul.
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

MetricSeoulTokyo
Cost
Total monthly cost2,363 USD✓2,588 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)37✓41
Housing900 USD✓1,050 USD
Utilities165 USD✓216 USD
Food881 USD780 USD✓
Transport100 USD✓232 USD
Healthcare16 USD✓17 USD
Lifestyle193 USD179 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✓1,921 USD
Average local net salary2,500 USD✓2,400 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre900 USD✓1,050 USD
3-bed rent, city centre2,000 USD✓2,400 USD
Buy price per m², centre13,000 USD12,000 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety86/10094/100✓
Healthcare88/10088/100
Air quality50/10072/100✓
Public transport96/10098/100✓
Walkability88/10088/100
English proficiency44/100✓30/100
Nightlife92/100✓88/100
Family friendliness80/10084/100✓
Median broadband220 Mbps270 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature13°C✓16°C
Summer high29°C✓31°C
Winter low-6°C2°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,060 h✓1,880 h
Annual rainfall1400 mm✓1600 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access60 min45 min✓
CurrencyKRWJPY
Time zoneAsia/SeoulAsia/Tokyo

Seoul runs about 10% cheaper than Tokyo for this household, a difference of 225 USD a month.

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Go deeper

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

Frequently asked

Is Seoul or Tokyo cheaper?

Seoul runs about 10% cheaper than Tokyo for this household, a difference of 225 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Tokyo compared with Seoul?

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

Which has better quality of life, Seoul or Tokyo?

Seoul scores 86/100 on safety and 88/100 on healthcare; Tokyo scores 94 and 88. Seoul averages 13°C against 16°C in Tokyo.