- Cost of Living
- South Korea
- Japan
- Comparison
Cost of living in South Korea compared to Japan
Currency:
| Food | + 2% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 2% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩8,985 (¥891) | ¥1,067 | - 16% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₩6,528 (¥647) | ¥690 | - 6% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩4,957 (¥492) | ¥453 | + 9% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,498 (¥248) | ¥201 | + 23% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩3,427 (¥340) | ¥296 | + 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩5,263 (¥522) | ¥801 | - 35% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩10,856 (¥1,077) | ¥924 | + 17% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩6,767 (¥671) | ¥734 | - 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩4,225 (¥419) | ¥436 | - 4% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,513 (¥249) | ¥280 | - 11% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩19,403 (¥1,924) | ¥1,689 | + 14% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₩2,739 (¥272) | ¥197 | + 38% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩3,350 (¥332) | ¥195 | + 71% | |
| Housing | - 23% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 23% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₩1,580,620 (¥156,774) | ¥213,194 | - 26% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₩1,108,410 (¥109,938) | ¥123,921 | - 11% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩148,919 (¥14,771) | ¥21,696 | - 32% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₩994,024 (¥98,592) | ¥115,768 | - 15% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₩612,536 (¥60,754) | ¥73,144 | - 17% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₩132,259 (¥13,118) | ¥12,994 | + 1% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₩25,690 (¥2,548) | ¥3,965 | - 36% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₩512,162 (¥50,799) | ¥58,825 | - 14% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩97,084 (¥9,629) | ¥16,725 | - 42% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩11,442 (¥1,135) | ¥717 | + 58% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩13,547 (¥1,344) | ¥2,062 | - 35% | |
| Clothes | + 10% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 10% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₩83,855 (¥8,317) | ¥7,492 | + 11% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₩54,603 (¥5,416) | ¥4,823 | + 12% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩96,827 (¥9,604) | ¥8,419 | + 14% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩153,217 (¥15,197) | ¥15,294 | - 1% | |
| Transportation | - 24% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 24% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩30,660,700 (¥3,041,083) | ¥2,603,060 | + 17% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,556 (¥154) | ¥142 | + 9% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩65,989 (¥6,545) | ¥11,085 | - 41% | |
| Personal Care | + 4% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 4% more expensive than in Japan | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩5,647 (¥560) | ¥1,278 | - 56% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩7,057 (¥700) | ¥1,019 | - 31% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₩32,530 (¥3,226) | ¥3,562 | - 9% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₩10,272 (¥1,019) | ¥612 | + 67% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩8,076 (¥801) | ¥680 | + 18% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩7,730 (¥767) | ¥455 | + 69% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩3,061 (¥304) | ¥143 | + 112% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩2,686 (¥266) | ¥236 | + 13% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩18,295 (¥1,815) | ¥3,125 | - 42% | |
| Entertainment | - 23% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 23% cheaper than in Japan | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩30,601 (¥3,035) | ¥4,343 | - 30% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩20,654 (¥2,049) | ¥3,392 | - 40% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩118,894 (¥11,793) | ¥14,181 | - 17% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩60,511 (¥6,002) | ¥8,387 | - 28% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩9,150 (¥908) | ¥973 | - 7% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩4,929 (¥489) | ¥482 | + 1% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩4,728 (¥469) | ¥587 | - 20% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₩597,994 (¥59,312) | ¥49,094 | + 21% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩382 (¥38) | ¥52 | - 27% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩76,765 (¥7,614) | ¥10,897 | - 30% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,500 (¥446) | ¥468 | - 5% | |
| TOTAL | - 16% | |||
These prices were last updated on October 16, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.09919
JPY
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,271 prices entered by 619 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 16% cheaper than in Japan
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