- Cost of Living
- South Korea
- Japan
- Comparison
Cost of living in South Korea compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | - 0% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 0% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩8,955 (¥884) | ¥1,052 | - 16% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₩6,527 (¥644) | ¥671 | - 4% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩5,389 (¥532) | ¥497 | + 7% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,504 (¥247) | ¥205 | + 20% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩3,439 (¥339) | ¥301 | + 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩5,350 (¥528) | ¥808 | - 35% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩10,042 (¥991) | ¥924 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩6,947 (¥685) | ¥749 | - 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩4,209 (¥415) | ¥429 | - 3% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,561 (¥253) | ¥282 | - 10% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩19,027 (¥1,877) | ¥1,659 | + 13% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₩2,695 (¥266) | ¥198 | + 34% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩3,141 (¥310) | ¥206 | + 51% | |
| Housing | - 27% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 27% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₩1,523,360 (¥150,317) | ¥224,805 | - 33% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₩1,068,520 (¥105,436) | ¥128,074 | - 18% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩145,685 (¥14,375) | ¥19,331 | - 26% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₩996,371 (¥98,317) | ¥124,565 | - 21% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₩614,461 (¥60,632) | ¥88,209 | - 31% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₩145,621 (¥14,369) | ¥13,050 | + 10% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₩27,564 (¥2,720) | ¥4,177 | - 35% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₩532,530 (¥52,547) | ¥58,983 | - 11% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩98,292 (¥9,699) | ¥15,842 | - 39% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩10,886 (¥1,074) | ¥748 | + 44% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩13,123 (¥1,295) | ¥1,978 | - 35% | |
| Clothes | + 13% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 13% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₩81,904 (¥8,082) | ¥8,366 | - 3% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₩51,241 (¥5,056) | ¥4,198 | + 20% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩102,290 (¥10,093) | ¥8,351 | + 21% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩163,609 (¥16,144) | ¥14,989 | + 8% | |
| Transportation | - 22% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 22% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩30,507,600 (¥3,010,326) | ¥2,383,290 | + 26% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,544 (¥152) | ¥138 | + 10% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩63,503 (¥6,266) | ¥10,566 | - 41% | |
| Personal Care | + 10% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 10% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩5,744 (¥567) | ¥1,278 | - 56% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩9,743 (¥961) | ¥1,019 | - 6% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₩34,694 (¥3,423) | ¥4,575 | - 25% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₩14,237 (¥1,405) | ¥491 | + 186% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩9,298 (¥917) | ¥645 | + 42% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩7,147 (¥705) | ¥499 | + 41% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩3,285 (¥324) | ¥132 | + 145% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩2,373 (¥234) | ¥261 | - 10% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩18,875 (¥1,862) | ¥3,117 | - 40% | |
| Entertainment | - 30% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 30% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩31,416 (¥3,100) | ¥4,427 | - 30% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩20,260 (¥1,999) | ¥3,435 | - 42% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩104,758 (¥10,337) | ¥10,226 | + 1% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩61,697 (¥6,088) | ¥7,878 | - 23% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩8,521 (¥841) | ¥957 | - 12% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩4,927 (¥486) | ¥474 | + 3% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩4,493 (¥443) | ¥598 | - 26% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₩600,313 (¥59,236) | ¥53,237 | + 11% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩170 (¥17) | ¥47 | - 65% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩80,946 (¥7,987) | ¥10,366 | - 23% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,500 (¥444) | ¥466 | - 5% | |
| TOTAL | - 17% | |||
These prices were last updated on August 21, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.09867
JPY
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,579 prices entered by 697 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 17% cheaper than in Japan
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