Cost of living in South Korea compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 11% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 11% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| South Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩9,958 (¥1,051) | ¥1,035 | + 2% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩7,906 (¥834) | ¥817 | + 2% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩6,314 (¥666) | ¥618 | + 8% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,847 (¥300) | ¥237 | + 27% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩6,150 (¥649) | ¥335 | + 94% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩5,177 (¥546) | ¥439 | + 25% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩12,273 (¥1,295) | ¥1,195 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩9,493 (¥1,002) | ¥822 | + 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩5,179 (¥547) | ¥509 | + 7% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,372 (¥250) | ¥312 | - 20% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩18,664 (¥1,970) | ¥1,267 | + 55% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩2,564 (¥271) | ¥276 | - 2% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩2,703 (¥285) | ¥293 | - 3% | |
| Housing | - 21% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 21% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩2,864,940 (¥302,340) | ¥365,082 | - 17% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩1,649,060 (¥174,027) | ¥197,811 | - 12% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩255,507 (¥26,964) | ¥19,132 | + 41% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩1,187,840 (¥125,354) | ¥145,654 | - 14% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩659,471 (¥69,595) | ¥106,059 | - 34% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩95,864 (¥10,117) | ¥8,349 | + 21% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩18,027 (¥1,902) | ¥4,448 | - 57% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩316,746 (¥33,427) | ¥74,559 | - 55% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩104,002 (¥10,975) | ¥25,414 | - 57% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩8,343 (¥880) | ¥1,338 | - 34% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩15,282 (¥1,613) | ¥2,815 | - 43% | |
| Clothes | - 3% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is about the same as in Japan | ||||
| South Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩74,674 (¥7,880) | ¥9,315 | - 15% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩53,204 (¥5,615) | ¥5,103 | + 10% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩84,182 (¥8,884) | ¥9,892 | - 10% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩113,128 (¥11,939) | ¥12,189 | - 2% | |
| Transportation | - 13% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 13% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩31,956,000 (¥3,372,348) | ¥3,060,780 | + 10% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,605 (¥169) | ¥169 | + 0% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩60,206 (¥6,354) | ¥8,198 | - 22% | |
| Personal Care | - 34% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 34% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩4,412 (¥466) | ¥2,133 | - 78% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩6,301 (¥665) | ¥2,551 | - 74% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩200,000 (¥21,106) | - | - | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩13,562 (¥1,431) | ¥1,337 | + 7% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩3,982 (¥420) | ¥930 | - 55% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩5,810 (¥613) | ¥622 | - 1% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩5,866 (¥619) | ¥224 | + 176% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩1,962 (¥207) | ¥188 | + 10% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩30,786 (¥3,249) | ¥4,604 | - 29% | |
| Entertainment | + 164% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 164% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| South Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩26,338 (¥2,779) | ¥4,908 | - 43% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩26,588 (¥2,806) | ¥3,881 | - 28% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩119,071 (¥12,566) | ¥7,212 | + 74% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩69,831 (¥7,369) | ¥8,269 | - 11% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩9,901 (¥1,045) | ¥1,244 | - 16% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩5,463 (¥577) | ¥547 | + 5% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩4,770 (¥503) | ¥674 | - 25% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩572,548 (¥60,422) | ¥51,659 | + 17% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩3,515 (¥371) | ¥52 | + 612% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩59,371 (¥6,266) | ¥9,530 | - 34% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,514 (¥476) | ¥613 | - 22% | |
| TOTAL | + 18% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 5,578 prices entered by 242 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.10553
JPY
/
KRW
Cost of living in South Korea is 18% more expensive than in Japan
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