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Tallinn vs Seoul

Tallinn runs about 27% cheaper than Seoul for this household, a difference of 508 USD a month.

A view of Raekoja plats, Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn
$1,855/month · Estonia
Jorge Franganillo · CC BY 2.0
Hangang Park
Seoul
$2,363/month · South Korea
Wpcpey · CC BY 4.0
Tallinn monthly
$1,855
Index 29 (NYC = 100)
Seoul monthly
$2,363
Index 37 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+27%
Seoul relative to Tallinn
Rent gap
$100
Seoul costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

TallinnSeoul
  • Housing
    Housing: Tallinn $800, Seoul $900. Cheaper in Tallinn.
  • Food
    Food: Tallinn $546, Seoul $881. Cheaper in Tallinn.
  • Transport
    Transport: Tallinn $104, Seoul $100. Cheaper in Seoul.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Tallinn $166, Seoul $165. Cheaper in Seoul.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Tallinn $23, Seoul $16. Cheaper in Seoul.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Tallinn $138, Seoul $193. Cheaper in Tallinn.
  • Other
    Other: Tallinn $78, Seoul $108. Cheaper in Tallinn.
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

MetricTallinnSeoul
Cost
Total monthly cost1,855 USD✓2,363 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)29✓37
Housing800 USD✓900 USD
Utilities166 USD165 USD✓
Food546 USD✓881 USD
Transport104 USD100 USD✓
Healthcare23 USD16 USD✓
Lifestyle138 USD✓193 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,528 USD✓5,446 USD
Effective tax + social rate21.7%✓34.6%
Left over each month4,673 USD✓3,083 USD
Average local net salary1,600 USD2,500 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre800 USD✓900 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,450 USD✓2,000 USD
Buy price per m², centre3,400 USD✓13,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety84/10086/100✓
Healthcare76/10088/100✓
Air quality88/100✓50/100
Public transport80/10096/100✓
Walkability84/10088/100✓
English proficiency80/100✓44/100
Nightlife70/10092/100✓
Family friendliness84/100✓80/100
Median broadband190 Mbps220 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature7°C✓13°C
Summer high22°C✓29°C
Winter low-6°C-6°C
Sunshine hours per year1,780 h2,060 h✓
Annual rainfall680 mm✓1400 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access20 min✓60 min
CurrencyEURKRW
Time zoneEurope/TallinnAsia/Seoul

Tallinn runs about 27% cheaper than Seoul for this household, a difference of 508 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in TallinnCost of living in SeoulConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Tallinn or Seoul cheaper?

Tallinn runs about 27% cheaper than Seoul for this household, a difference of 508 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Seoul compared with Tallinn?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,528 a month in Tallinn and $5,446 in Seoul, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Tallinn or Seoul?

Tallinn scores 84/100 on safety and 76/100 on healthcare; Seoul scores 86 and 88. Tallinn averages 7°C against 13°C in Seoul.