Taipei vs Seoul
Taipei runs about 35% cheaper than Seoul for this household, a difference of 616 USD a month.
Taipei
$1,747/month · Taiwan
Seoul
$2,363/month · South Korea
Taipei monthly
$1,747
Index 27 (NYC = 100)
Seoul monthly
$2,363
Index 37 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+35%
Seoul relative to Taipei
Rent gap
$50
Seoul costs more for a central 1-bed
By category
Where the gap actually is
TaipeiSeoul
- HousingHousing: Taipei $850, Seoul $900. Cheaper in Taipei.
- FoodFood: Taipei $533, Seoul $881. Cheaper in Taipei.
- TransportTransport: Taipei $91, Seoul $100. Cheaper in Taipei.
- UtilitiesUtilities: Taipei $88, Seoul $165. Cheaper in Taipei.
- HealthcareHealthcare: Taipei $12, Seoul $16. Cheaper in Taipei.
- LifestyleLifestyle: Taipei $107, Seoul $193. Cheaper in Taipei.
- OtherOther: Taipei $66, Seoul $108. Cheaper in Taipei.
Interactive — adjust the household
Full comparison
| Metric | Taipei | Seoul |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| Total monthly cost | 1,747 USD✓ | 2,363 USD |
| Cost index (New York = 100) | 27✓ | 37 |
| Housing | 850 USD✓ | 900 USD |
| Utilities | 88 USD✓ | 165 USD |
| Food | 533 USD✓ | 881 USD |
| Transport | 91 USD✓ | 100 USD |
| Healthcare | 12 USD✓ | 16 USD |
| Lifestyle | 107 USD✓ | 193 USD |
| Income & tax | ||
| Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr | 6,797 USD✓ | 5,446 USD |
| Effective tax + social rate | 18.4%✓ | 34.6% |
| Left over each month | 5,050 USD✓ | 3,083 USD |
| Average local net salary | 1,800 USD | 2,500 USD✓ |
| Housing | ||
| 1-bed rent, city centre | 850 USD✓ | 900 USD |
| 3-bed rent, city centre | 1,700 USD✓ | 2,000 USD |
| Buy price per m², centre | 9,500 USD✓ | 13,000 USD |
| Quality of life | ||
| Safety | 88/100✓ | 86/100 |
| Healthcare | 86/100 | 88/100✓ |
| Air quality | 58/100✓ | 50/100 |
| Public transport | 92/100 | 96/100✓ |
| Walkability | 84/100 | 88/100✓ |
| English proficiency | 44/100 | 44/100 |
| Nightlife | 80/100 | 92/100✓ |
| Family friendliness | 82/100✓ | 80/100 |
| Median broadband | 180 Mbps | 220 Mbps✓ |
| Climate | ||
| Average temperature | 23°C | 13°C✓ |
| Summer high | 34°C | 29°C✓ |
| Winter low | 14°C✓ | -6°C |
| Sunshine hours per year | 1,400 h | 2,060 h✓ |
| Annual rainfall | 2400 mm | 1400 mm✓ |
| Practicalities | ||
| Remote-work visa | Yes | Yes |
| Beach access | 40 min✓ | 60 min |
| Currency | TWD | KRW |
| Time zone | Asia/Taipei | Asia/Seoul |
Taipei runs about 35% cheaper than Seoul for this household, a difference of 616 USD a month.
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FAQ
Frequently asked
Is Taipei or Seoul cheaper?
Taipei runs about 35% cheaper than Seoul for this household, a difference of 616 USD a month.
What salary do you need in Seoul compared with Taipei?
On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,797 a month in Taipei and $5,446 in Seoul, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.
Which has better quality of life, Taipei or Seoul?
Taipei scores 88/100 on safety and 86/100 on healthcare; Seoul scores 86 and 88. Taipei averages 23°C against 13°C in Seoul.