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Tokyo vs Seoul

Seoul runs about 9% cheaper than Tokyo for this household, a difference of 225 USD a month.

Rainbow bridge, view from Daibo park, Tokyo
Tokyo
$2,588/month · Japan
Sergey Galyonkin · CC BY-SA 2.0
Hangang Park
Seoul
$2,363/month · South Korea
Wpcpey · CC BY 4.0
Tokyo monthly
$2,588
Index 41 (NYC = 100)
Seoul monthly
$2,363
Index 37 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-9%
Seoul relative to Tokyo
Rent gap
$150
Tokyo costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

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

MetricTokyoSeoul
Cost
Total monthly cost2,588 USD2,363 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)4137✓
Housing1,050 USD900 USD✓
Utilities216 USD165 USD✓
Food780 USD✓881 USD
Transport232 USD100 USD✓
Healthcare17 USD16 USD✓
Lifestyle179 USD✓193 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,509 USD5,446 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate45.9%34.6%✓
Left over each month1,921 USD3,083 USD✓
Average local net salary2,400 USD2,500 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,050 USD900 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre2,400 USD2,000 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre12,000 USD✓13,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety94/100✓86/100
Healthcare88/10088/100
Air quality72/100✓50/100
Public transport98/100✓96/100
Walkability88/10088/100
English proficiency30/10044/100✓
Nightlife88/10092/100✓
Family friendliness84/100✓80/100
Median broadband270 Mbps✓220 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature16°C13°C✓
Summer high31°C29°C✓
Winter low2°C✓-6°C
Sunshine hours per year1,880 h2,060 h✓
Annual rainfall1600 mm1400 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access45 min✓60 min
CurrencyJPYKRW
Time zoneAsia/TokyoAsia/Seoul

Seoul runs about 9% cheaper than Tokyo for this household, a difference of 225 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in TokyoCost of living in SeoulConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Tokyo vs TaipeiTokyo vs OsakaTokyo vs Hong Kong
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Tokyo or Seoul cheaper?

Seoul runs about 9% cheaper than Tokyo for this household, a difference of 225 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Seoul compared with Tokyo?

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

Which has better quality of life, Tokyo or Seoul?

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