Cost of living in South Korea compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 5% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 5% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩9,306 (¥874) | ¥954 | - 8% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩6,640 (¥624) | ¥699 | - 11% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩5,572 (¥523) | ¥444 | + 18% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,379 (¥223) | ¥200 | + 12% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩4,906 (¥461) | ¥253 | + 82% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩6,485 (¥609) | ¥622 | - 2% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩10,773 (¥1,012) | ¥903 | + 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩5,720 (¥537) | ¥771 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩3,678 (¥345) | ¥384 | - 10% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,177 (¥204) | ¥306 | - 33% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩24,217 (¥2,274) | ¥1,331 | + 71% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩2,771 (¥260) | ¥199 | + 31% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩2,899 (¥272) | ¥226 | + 21% | |
| Housing | - 27% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 27% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩1,839,660 (¥172,771) | ¥268,095 | - 36% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩1,253,640 (¥117,735) | ¥150,794 | - 22% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩250,846 (¥23,558) | ¥23,880 | - 1% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩1,200,300 (¥112,726) | ¥140,127 | - 20% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩713,478 (¥67,006) | ¥77,433 | - 13% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩81,680 (¥7,671) | ¥12,855 | - 40% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩27,370 (¥2,570) | ¥4,197 | - 39% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩370,780 (¥34,822) | ¥63,991 | - 46% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩133,607 (¥12,548) | ¥10,809 | + 16% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩26,887 (¥2,525) | ¥901 | + 180% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩13,047 (¥1,225) | ¥2,418 | - 49% | |
| Clothes | + 0% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩41,844 (¥3,930) | ¥6,941 | - 43% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩52,250 (¥4,907) | ¥4,416 | + 11% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩92,681 (¥8,704) | ¥8,088 | + 8% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩173,054 (¥16,252) | ¥12,131 | + 34% | |
| Transportation | - 21% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 21% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩30,595,300 (¥2,873,344) | ¥2,676,280 | + 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,439 (¥135) | ¥135 | + 0% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩74,667 (¥7,012) | ¥10,384 | - 32% | |
| Personal Care | + 2% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩6,377 (¥599) | ¥1,225 | - 51% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩7,390 (¥694) | ¥1,626 | - 57% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩96,192 (¥9,034) | ¥6,148 | + 47% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩17,569 (¥1,650) | ¥812 | + 103% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩8,130 (¥763) | ¥655 | + 17% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩8,324 (¥782) | ¥501 | + 56% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩1,815 (¥170) | ¥170 | + 0% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩2,204 (¥207) | ¥229 | - 9% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩17,384 (¥1,633) | ¥2,983 | - 45% | |
| Entertainment | + 34% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 34% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩33,460 (¥3,142) | ¥3,633 | - 13% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩20,876 (¥1,961) | ¥3,657 | - 46% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩165,595 (¥15,552) | ¥12,969 | + 20% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩67,775 (¥6,365) | ¥6,422 | - 1% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩10,109 (¥949) | ¥1,122 | - 15% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩5,000 (¥470) | ¥445 | + 6% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩5,279 (¥496) | ¥556 | - 11% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩669,053 (¥62,834) | ¥52,544 | + 20% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩1,500 (¥141) | ¥40 | + 255% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩61,508 (¥5,777) | ¥9,497 | - 39% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,529 (¥425) | ¥525 | - 19% | |
| TOTAL | - 8% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 27, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.09391
JPY
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,274 prices entered by 245 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 8% cheaper than in Japan
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