Cost of living in Seoul (South Korea) is 6% cheaper than in Tokyo (Japan)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 713 prices entered by 125 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
| Food | + 26% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Seoul (South Korea) is 26% more expensive than in Tokyo (Japan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Seoul | Tokyo | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩9,831 (¥998) | ¥1,032 | - 3% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩7,898 (¥801) | ¥721 | + 11% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩6,830 (¥693) | ¥553 | + 25% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,887 (¥293) | ¥199 | + 47% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩6,431 (¥652) | ¥284 | + 130% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩8,120 (¥824) | ¥631 | + 31% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩7,646 (¥776) | ¥1,006 | - 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩8,423 (¥855) | ¥939 | - 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩4,872 (¥494) | ¥592 | - 16% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,927 (¥297) | ¥289 | + 3% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩20,558 (¥2,086) | ¥1,241 | + 68% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩3,389 (¥344) | ¥239 | + 44% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩4,160 (¥422) | ¥211 | + 100% | |
| Housing | - 5% | |||
| Housing in Seoul (South Korea) is 5% cheaper than in Tokyo (Japan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Seoul | Tokyo | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩3,748,000 (¥380,281) | ¥343,765 | + 11% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩2,253,880 (¥228,684) | ¥189,101 | + 21% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩246,721 (¥25,033) | ¥25,691 | - 3% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩1,163,600 (¥118,062) | ¥159,856 | - 26% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩787,452 (¥79,897) | ¥92,905 | - 14% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩114,665 (¥11,634) | ¥18,187 | - 36% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩31,294 (¥3,175) | ¥4,516 | - 30% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩378,438 (¥38,397) | ¥50,930 | - 25% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩100,183 (¥10,165) | ¥9,954 | + 2% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩11,893 (¥1,207) | ¥985 | + 22% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩14,266 (¥1,447) | ¥2,206 | - 34% | |
| Clothes | + 15% | |||
| Clothes in Seoul (South Korea) is 15% more expensive than in Tokyo (Japan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Seoul | Tokyo | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩79,338 (¥8,050) | ¥6,146 | + 31% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩58,578 (¥5,943) | ¥5,168 | + 15% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩89,660 (¥9,097) | ¥8,786 | + 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩144,451 (¥14,656) | ¥13,791 | + 6% | |
| Transportation | - 25% | |||
| Transportation in Seoul (South Korea) is 25% cheaper than in Tokyo (Japan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Seoul | Tokyo | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩41,899,500 (¥4,251,219) | ¥2,687,690 | + 58% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,882 (¥191) | ¥166 | + 15% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩56,561 (¥5,739) | ¥10,345 | - 45% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ₩13,948 (¥1,415) | ¥3,972 | - 64% | |
| Personal Care | + 13% | |||
| Personal Care in Seoul (South Korea) is 13% more expensive than in Tokyo (Japan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Seoul | Tokyo | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩5,748 (¥583) | ¥1,787 | - 67% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩6,336 (¥643) | ¥1,320 | - 51% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩46,951 (¥4,764) | ¥4,244 | + 12% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩15,753 (¥1,598) | ¥759 | + 111% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩10,736 (¥1,089) | ¥601 | + 81% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩8,307 (¥843) | ¥407 | + 107% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩3,094 (¥314) | ¥206 | + 53% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩4,101 (¥416) | ¥262 | + 59% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩18,393 (¥1,866) | ¥3,216 | - 42% | |
| Entertainment | - 19% | |||
| Entertainment in Seoul (South Korea) is 19% cheaper than in Tokyo (Japan) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Seoul | Tokyo | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩30,591 (¥3,104) | ¥3,820 | - 19% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩28,080 (¥2,849) | ¥3,590 | - 21% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩165,044 (¥16,746) | ¥11,604 | + 44% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩68,068 (¥6,906) | ¥6,254 | + 10% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩13,223 (¥1,342) | ¥1,006 | + 33% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩5,405 (¥548) | ¥470 | + 17% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩4,568 (¥463) | ¥574 | - 19% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩631,358 (¥64,059) | ¥48,237 | + 33% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩207 (¥21) | ¥52 | - 60% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩72,194 (¥7,325) | ¥9,331 | - 22% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,500 (¥457) | ¥599 | - 24% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 6% | ||
These prices were last updated on March 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.10146
JPY
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 713 prices entered by 125 different people.
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Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
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