- Cost of Living
- South Korea
- Japan
- Comparison
Cost of living in South Korea compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 6% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 6% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩8,989 (¥897) | ¥1,054 | - 15% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₩6,461 (¥645) | ¥698 | - 8% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩4,610 (¥460) | ¥436 | + 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,486 (¥248) | ¥205 | + 21% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩3,658 (¥365) | ¥285 | + 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩5,318 (¥531) | ¥777 | - 32% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩10,856 (¥1,084) | ¥910 | + 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩6,723 (¥671) | ¥697 | - 4% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩5,317 (¥531) | ¥414 | + 28% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,500 (¥250) | ¥265 | - 6% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩20,382 (¥2,035) | ¥1,538 | + 32% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₩2,758 (¥275) | ¥203 | + 36% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩3,248 (¥324) | ¥198 | + 64% | |
| Housing | - 26% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 26% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₩1,477,740 (¥147,549) | ¥231,808 | - 36% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₩1,134,840 (¥113,311) | ¥125,591 | - 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩146,543 (¥14,632) | ¥21,159 | - 31% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₩983,840 (¥98,234) | ¥113,754 | - 14% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₩600,974 (¥60,006) | ¥74,885 | - 20% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₩112,279 (¥11,211) | ¥12,611 | - 11% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₩26,295 (¥2,625) | ¥4,134 | - 36% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₩512,162 (¥51,138) | ¥55,558 | - 8% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩97,084 (¥9,694) | ¥16,830 | - 42% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩11,442 (¥1,142) | ¥693 | + 65% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩14,779 (¥1,476) | ¥1,827 | - 19% | |
| Clothes | + 12% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 12% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₩81,661 (¥8,154) | ¥6,829 | + 19% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₩47,464 (¥4,739) | ¥4,215 | + 12% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩93,233 (¥9,309) | ¥8,321 | + 12% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩135,952 (¥13,574) | ¥13,972 | - 3% | |
| Transportation | - 26% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 26% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩30,995,700 (¥3,094,840) | ¥2,590,890 | + 19% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,555 (¥155) | ¥145 | + 7% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩62,714 (¥6,262) | ¥11,257 | - 44% | |
| Personal Care | + 6% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 6% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩5,647 (¥564) | ¥1,278 | - 56% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩7,057 (¥705) | ¥1,016 | - 31% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₩33,974 (¥3,392) | ¥3,622 | - 6% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₩10,272 (¥1,026) | ¥630 | + 63% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩8,076 (¥806) | ¥707 | + 14% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩7,730 (¥772) | ¥455 | + 70% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩3,061 (¥306) | ¥137 | + 123% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩2,686 (¥268) | ¥217 | + 24% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩17,659 (¥1,763) | ¥2,939 | - 40% | |
| Entertainment | - 21% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 21% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩30,653 (¥3,061) | ¥4,035 | - 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩20,507 (¥2,048) | ¥3,358 | - 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩118,894 (¥11,871) | ¥12,964 | - 8% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩60,447 (¥6,035) | ¥7,899 | - 24% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩9,150 (¥914) | ¥880 | + 4% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩4,930 (¥492) | ¥491 | + 0% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩4,572 (¥457) | ¥560 | - 18% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₩577,048 (¥57,617) | ¥49,094 | + 17% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩382 (¥38) | ¥56 | - 32% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩76,765 (¥7,665) | ¥10,296 | - 26% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,500 (¥449) | ¥468 | - 4% | |
| TOTAL | - 16% | |||
These prices were last updated on December 18, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.09985
JPY
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,969 prices entered by 591 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 16% cheaper than in Japan
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