Cost of living in South Korea compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 11% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 11% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩9,483 (¥886) | ¥1,030 | - 14% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩6,559 (¥613) | ¥723 | - 15% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩6,201 (¥579) | ¥464 | + 25% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,633 (¥246) | ¥214 | + 15% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩3,973 (¥371) | ¥290 | + 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩6,606 (¥617) | ¥501 | + 23% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩10,909 (¥1,019) | ¥1,191 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩9,214 (¥860) | ¥734 | + 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩5,079 (¥474) | ¥385 | + 23% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,476 (¥231) | ¥257 | - 10% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩25,498 (¥2,381) | ¥1,788 | + 33% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩2,754 (¥257) | ¥217 | + 19% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩3,148 (¥294) | ¥244 | + 20% | |
| Housing | - 26% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 26% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩1,495,100 (¥139,621) | ¥202,435 | - 31% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩1,111,570 (¥103,805) | ¥119,039 | - 13% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩252,074 (¥23,540) | ¥14,600 | + 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩634,731 (¥59,275) | ¥132,624 | - 55% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩569,700 (¥53,202) | ¥114,972 | - 54% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩113,814 (¥10,629) | ¥10,415 | + 2% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩30,841 (¥2,880) | ¥3,407 | - 15% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩512,722 (¥47,881) | ¥35,637 | + 34% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩113,954 (¥10,642) | ¥10,420 | + 2% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩10,470 (¥978) | ¥665 | + 47% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩19,321 (¥1,804) | ¥1,845 | - 2% | |
| Clothes | + 27% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 27% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩71,342 (¥6,662) | ¥5,921 | + 13% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩65,686 (¥6,134) | ¥4,587 | + 34% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩111,765 (¥10,437) | ¥8,447 | + 24% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩179,488 (¥16,762) | ¥13,816 | + 21% | |
| Transportation | - 20% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 20% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩34,775,100 (¥3,247,507) | ¥2,936,380 | + 11% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,465 (¥137) | ¥143 | - 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩68,780 (¥6,423) | ¥9,719 | - 34% | |
| Personal Care | - 9% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 9% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩5,944 (¥555) | ¥1,375 | - 60% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩7,390 (¥690) | ¥807 | - 14% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩20,000 (¥1,868) | ¥8,290 | - 77% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩18,944 (¥1,769) | ¥543 | + 226% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩8,772 (¥819) | ¥696 | + 18% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩10,077 (¥941) | ¥558 | + 69% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩3,335 (¥311) | ¥186 | + 68% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩2,422 (¥226) | ¥229 | - 1% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩14,650 (¥1,368) | ¥2,634 | - 48% | |
| Entertainment | - 18% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 18% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩33,427 (¥3,122) | ¥3,927 | - 21% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩21,349 (¥1,994) | ¥3,170 | - 37% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩237,681 (¥22,196) | ¥10,399 | + 113% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩57,938 (¥5,411) | ¥7,477 | - 28% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩11,217 (¥1,048) | ¥1,286 | - 19% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩4,985 (¥466) | ¥495 | - 6% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩5,256 (¥491) | ¥522 | - 6% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩575,683 (¥53,761) | ¥47,253 | + 14% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩146 (¥14) | ¥26 | - 48% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩71,312 (¥6,659) | ¥8,663 | - 23% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,555 (¥425) | ¥480 | - 11% | |
| TOTAL | - 13% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 27, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.09339
JPY
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,010 prices entered by 341 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 13% cheaper than in Japan
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