Cost of living in South Korea compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 13% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 13% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| South Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩8,612 (¥819) | ¥1,140 | - 28% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩6,356 (¥605) | ¥728 | - 17% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩6,149 (¥585) | ¥418 | + 40% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,613 (¥249) | ¥210 | + 19% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩6,813 (¥648) | ¥275 | + 136% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩7,479 (¥711) | ¥668 | + 7% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩12,932 (¥1,230) | ¥1,129 | + 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩8,304 (¥790) | ¥710 | + 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩3,341 (¥318) | ¥393 | - 19% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,659 (¥253) | ¥255 | - 1% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩21,440 (¥2,039) | ¥1,985 | + 3% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩2,755 (¥262) | ¥206 | + 27% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩3,043 (¥289) | ¥211 | + 37% | |
| Housing | + 3% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| South Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩2,686,220 (¥255,527) | ¥217,328 | + 18% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩1,540,950 (¥146,583) | ¥126,162 | + 16% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩367,954 (¥35,002) | ¥16,068 | + 118% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩1,084,300 (¥103,144) | ¥132,665 | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩727,290 (¥69,184) | ¥70,782 | - 2% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩97,213 (¥9,247) | ¥9,982 | - 7% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩27,138 (¥2,582) | ¥4,119 | - 37% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩414,153 (¥39,396) | ¥42,816 | - 8% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩89,786 (¥8,541) | ¥15,187 | - 44% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩14,381 (¥1,368) | ¥663 | + 106% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩16,891 (¥1,607) | ¥1,759 | - 9% | |
| Clothes | + 4% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 4% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| South Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩67,617 (¥6,432) | ¥7,849 | - 18% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩50,605 (¥4,814) | ¥3,745 | + 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩92,287 (¥8,779) | ¥8,707 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩128,682 (¥12,241) | ¥16,382 | - 25% | |
| Transportation | - 27% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 27% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩34,108,000 (¥3,244,533) | ¥2,749,320 | + 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,813 (¥172) | ¥144 | + 20% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩63,543 (¥6,045) | ¥11,441 | - 47% | |
| Personal Care | + 16% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 16% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| South Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩20,397 (¥1,940) | ¥700 | + 177% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | - | ¥1,350 | - | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩30,000 (¥2,854) | ¥5,760 | - 50% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩21,143 (¥2,011) | ¥2,342 | - 14% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩10,699 (¥1,018) | ¥937 | + 9% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩6,643 (¥632) | ¥540 | + 17% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩4,790 (¥456) | ¥142 | + 222% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩3,069 (¥292) | ¥247 | + 18% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩18,160 (¥1,728) | ¥2,858 | - 40% | |
| Entertainment | - 18% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 18% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩31,485 (¥2,995) | ¥4,449 | - 33% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩22,394 (¥2,130) | ¥3,459 | - 38% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩184,986 (¥17,597) | ¥16,372 | + 7% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩62,809 (¥5,975) | ¥3,771 | + 58% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩46,718 (¥4,444) | ¥1,130 | + 293% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩5,830 (¥555) | ¥520 | + 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩4,000 (¥381) | ¥517 | - 26% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩702,853 (¥66,859) | ¥56,570 | + 18% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩151 (¥14) | ¥49 | - 71% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩66,294 (¥6,306) | ¥9,121 | - 31% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,505 (¥429) | ¥554 | - 23% | |
| TOTAL | - 6% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 24, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.09513
JPY
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 954 prices entered by 160 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 6% cheaper than in Japan
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