Cost of living in South Korea compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 27% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 27% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| South Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩11,980 (¥1,250) | ¥1,510 | - 17% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩6,615 (¥690) | ¥777 | - 11% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩5,632 (¥588) | ¥442 | + 33% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,759 (¥288) | ¥210 | + 37% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩6,542 (¥683) | ¥332 | + 106% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩7,203 (¥752) | ¥626 | + 20% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩16,031 (¥1,673) | ¥855 | + 96% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩8,264 (¥863) | ¥1,035 | - 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩3,965 (¥414) | ¥461 | - 10% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩3,108 (¥324) | ¥271 | + 20% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩34,167 (¥3,566) | ¥1,299 | + 175% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩3,437 (¥359) | ¥205 | + 75% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩4,184 (¥437) | ¥227 | + 93% | |
| Housing | + 30% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 30% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| South Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩4,454,430 (¥464,901) | ¥218,917 | + 112% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩2,796,960 (¥291,914) | ¥128,457 | + 127% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩253,895 (¥26,499) | ¥27,749 | - 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩1,589,470 (¥165,890) | ¥187,909 | - 12% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩779,612 (¥81,367) | ¥76,748 | + 6% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩86,783 (¥9,057) | ¥19,268 | - 53% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩32,020 (¥3,342) | ¥4,419 | - 24% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩219,090 (¥22,866) | ¥43,152 | - 47% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩89,516 (¥9,343) | ¥17,240 | - 46% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩16,029 (¥1,673) | ¥1,196 | + 40% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩14,433 (¥1,506) | ¥3,024 | - 50% | |
| Clothes | + 30% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 30% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| South Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩69,705 (¥7,275) | ¥6,406 | + 14% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩54,258 (¥5,663) | ¥3,885 | + 46% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩82,310 (¥8,591) | ¥8,497 | + 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩127,854 (¥13,344) | ¥10,842 | + 23% | |
| Transportation | - 34% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 34% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩35,091,300 (¥3,662,419) | ¥3,145,430 | + 16% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,965 (¥205) | ¥167 | + 23% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩63,651 (¥6,643) | ¥13,986 | - 53% | |
| Personal Care | + 20% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 20% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| South Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩8,245 (¥861) | ¥2,137 | - 60% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩4,500 (¥470) | ¥1,967 | - 76% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩76,762 (¥8,012) | ¥4,294 | + 87% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩21,034 (¥2,195) | ¥677 | + 224% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩10,694 (¥1,116) | ¥635 | + 76% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩8,457 (¥883) | ¥529 | + 67% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩5,308 (¥554) | ¥195 | + 185% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩8,235 (¥860) | ¥192 | + 347% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩12,817 (¥1,338) | ¥3,899 | - 66% | |
| Entertainment | - 6% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 6% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| South Korea | Japan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩32,969 (¥3,441) | ¥3,808 | - 10% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩29,287 (¥3,057) | ¥3,606 | - 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩379,963 (¥39,656) | ¥9,510 | + 317% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩89,730 (¥9,365) | ¥6,842 | + 37% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩17,897 (¥1,868) | ¥1,086 | + 72% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩6,563 (¥685) | ¥566 | + 21% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩5,017 (¥524) | ¥564 | - 7% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩795,597 (¥83,035) | ¥106,060 | - 22% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩236 (¥25) | ¥56 | - 56% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩116,074 (¥12,114) | ¥12,147 | - 0% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,500 (¥470) | ¥600 | - 22% | |
| TOTAL | + 3% | |||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,112 prices entered by 166 different people.
These prices were last updated on February 02, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.10437
JPY
/
KRW
Cost of living in South Korea is about the same as in Japan
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