Cost of living in Tokyo (Japan) is about the same as in Seoul (South Korea)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 588 prices entered by 135 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
| Food | - 29% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Tokyo (Japan) is 29% cheaper than in Seoul (South Korea) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Tokyo | Seoul | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ¥1,020 (₩9,212) | ₩10,756 | - 14% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ¥711 (₩6,421) | ₩8,034 | - 20% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ¥553 (₩4,998) | ₩7,059 | - 29% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ¥203 (₩1,837) | ₩2,879 | - 36% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ¥298 (₩2,690) | ₩6,431 | - 58% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ¥624 (₩5,639) | ₩8,120 | - 31% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ¥1,039 (₩9,384) | ₩7,646 | + 23% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ¥936 (₩8,457) | ₩8,612 | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ¥592 (₩5,345) | ₩4,872 | + 10% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ¥292 (₩2,641) | ₩2,933 | - 10% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ¥1,216 (₩10,982) | ₩21,934 | - 50% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ¥199 (₩1,793) | ₩3,389 | - 47% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ¥211 (₩1,905) | ₩4,160 | - 54% | |
| Housing | - 4% | |||
| Housing in Tokyo (Japan) is about the same as in Seoul (South Korea) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Tokyo | Seoul | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ¥351,932 (₩3,178,047) | ₩3,727,990 | - 15% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ¥184,576 (₩1,666,774) | ₩2,298,100 | - 27% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ¥25,075 (₩226,436) | ₩273,226 | - 17% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ¥173,341 (₩1,565,319) | ₩1,238,220 | + 26% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ¥95,215 (₩859,815) | ₩902,041 | - 5% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ¥16,950 (₩153,067) | ₩114,665 | + 33% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ¥4,368 (₩39,445) | ₩31,294 | + 26% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ¥41,945 (₩378,775) | ₩418,515 | - 9% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ¥9,895 (₩89,357) | ₩100,183 | - 11% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ¥972 (₩8,780) | ₩11,893 | - 26% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ¥2,210 (₩19,957) | ₩14,266 | + 40% | |
| Clothes | - 21% | |||
| Clothes in Tokyo (Japan) is 21% cheaper than in Seoul (South Korea) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Tokyo | Seoul | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ¥6,146 (₩55,497) | ₩79,937 | - 31% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ¥5,331 (₩48,143) | ₩59,970 | - 20% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ¥9,228 (₩83,333) | ₩93,969 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ¥13,791 (₩124,539) | ₩144,451 | - 14% | |
| Transportation | + 25% | |||
| Transportation in Tokyo (Japan) is 25% more expensive than in Seoul (South Korea) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Tokyo | Seoul | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ¥2,748,060 (₩24,815,772) | ₩38,561,700 | - 36% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ¥166 (₩1,501) | ₩1,853 | - 19% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ¥10,246 (₩92,521) | ₩56,531 | + 64% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ¥3,992 (₩36,052) | ₩13,823 | + 161% | |
| Personal Care | - 14% | |||
| Personal Care in Tokyo (Japan) is 14% cheaper than in Seoul (South Korea) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Tokyo | Seoul | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ¥1,787 (₩16,140) | ₩5,748 | + 181% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ¥1,320 (₩11,923) | ₩6,336 | + 88% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ¥4,244 (₩38,325) | ₩46,951 | - 18% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ¥759 (₩6,850) | ₩15,753 | - 57% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ¥601 (₩5,424) | ₩10,736 | - 49% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ¥584 (₩5,273) | ₩8,307 | - 37% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ¥187 (₩1,686) | ₩3,094 | - 46% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ¥194 (₩1,749) | ₩4,101 | - 57% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ¥4,153 (₩37,498) | ₩15,955 | + 135% | |
| Entertainment | + 18% | |||
| Entertainment in Tokyo (Japan) is 18% more expensive than in Seoul (South Korea) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Tokyo | Seoul | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ¥4,513 (₩40,758) | ₩29,398 | + 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ¥3,600 (₩32,509) | ₩27,407 | + 19% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ¥11,996 (₩108,325) | ₩196,179 | - 45% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ¥6,418 (₩57,954) | ₩69,903 | - 17% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ¥1,198 (₩10,814) | ₩13,223 | - 18% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ¥469 (₩4,233) | ₩5,510 | - 23% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ¥578 (₩5,218) | ₩4,817 | + 8% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ¥51,220 (₩462,527) | ₩586,864 | - 21% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ¥52 (₩473) | ₩206 | + 129% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ¥9,309 (₩84,061) | ₩77,817 | + 8% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ¥589 (₩5,316) | ₩4,500 | + 18% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 1% | ||
These prices were last updated on September 21, 2023.
Exchange rate:
9.030
KRW
/
JPY
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 588 prices entered by 135 different people.
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