🇯🇵 Tokyo vs 🇰🇷 Seoul
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Seoul is 14% cheaper than Tokyo
Quick answer
Comparing Tokyo, Japan and Seoul, South Korea: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $2,685 in Tokyo versus $2,296 in Seoul. Seoul is roughly 14% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $1,222/mo (Tokyo) vs $931/mo (Seoul). The totals use the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
Key facts
- Moderate budget: $2,685/mo in Tokyo single person — city-centre rent + modeled non-housing categories.
- Moderate budget: $2,296/mo in Seoul single person — like-for-like city-centre basket.
- Central 1-bed rent $1,222/mo in Tokyo · $931/mo in Seoul.
- Cheaper overall: Seoul ~14% cheaper than Tokyo.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics + item-level price snapshots · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇰🇷 Seoul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $1,900/mo | $1,600/mo | -16% |
| Moderate | $2,685/mo | $2,296/mo | -14% |
| Comfortable | $4,050/mo | $3,450/mo | -15% |
The Moderate row equals the category table below: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending. Budget and Comfortable scale that same basket.
Cost Breakdown by Category
| Category | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇰🇷 Seoul | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $1,222/mo | $931/mo | -24% |
| Groceries & Food | $450/mo | $420/mo | -7% |
| Dining Out | $225/mo | $210/mo | -7% |
| Transport | $225/mo | $210/mo | -7% |
| Utilities & Internet | $225/mo | $210/mo | -7% |
| Healthcare | $180/mo | $168/mo | -7% |
| Leisure & Personal | $158/mo | $147/mo | -7% |
Category sum = Moderate budget. Basis: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
Housing (1-bed, center)
Tokyo
$1,222
Seoul
$931
Groceries & Food
Tokyo
$450
Seoul
$420
Dining Out
Tokyo
$225
Seoul
$210
Transport
Tokyo
$225
Seoul
$210
Utilities & Internet
Tokyo
$225
Seoul
$210
Healthcare
Tokyo
$180
Seoul
$168
Leisure & Personal
Tokyo
$158
Seoul
$147
Detailed Price Comparison
Sources: SBJ (Statistics Japan), World Bank / KOSTAT, World Bank. Updated Jan 2026.
Groceries
| Item | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇰🇷 Seoul | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loaf of bread (500g) | $2 | $3 | +65% |
| Milk (1 liter) | $2 | $2 | +60% |
| Eggs (12) | $3 | $3 | +7% |
| Chicken breast (1 kg) | $5 | $9 | +68% |
| Rice (5 kg) | $14 | $15 | +7% |
| Apples (1 kg) | $5 | $6 | +11% |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $5 | $4 | -6% |
Restaurants & Cafes
| Item | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇰🇷 Seoul | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ramen bowl | $6 | $7 | +12% |
| Bento box (convenience store) | $4 | $6 | +48% |
| Fast food combo meal | $5 | $4 | -17% |
| Cappuccino | $3 | $4 | +12% |
| Beer (0.5L, izakaya) | $3 | $2 | -33% |
| Beer (0.5L, store) | $2 | $1 | -24% |
Housing
| Item | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇰🇷 Seoul | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (23 wards) | $1,222 | $931 | -24% |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside | $700 | $600 | -14% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, center | $2,500 | $2,200 | -12% |
| 3-bedroom apartment, outside | $1,500 | $1,400 | -7% |
Transport
| Item | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇰🇷 Seoul | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly transit pass (JR + Metro) | $100 | $42 | -58% |
| Taxi start | $3 | $3 | -7% |
| Taxi per km | $3 | $1 | -76% |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | $1 | $1 | +18% |
Utilities & Internet
| Item | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇰🇷 Seoul | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $150 | $120 | -20% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $35 | $22 | -37% |
| Mobile plan (10GB+) | $30 | $35 | +17% |
Clothing
| Item | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇰🇷 Seoul | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pair of jeans (Levi's) | $50 | $74 | +48% |
| Running shoes (Nike/Adidas) | $75 | $90 | +20% |
Leisure & Fitness
| Item | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇰🇷 Seoul | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $60 | $45 | -25% |
| Cinema ticket | $12 | $10 | -20% |
Personal Care
| Item | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇰🇷 Seoul | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $25 | $11 | -56% |
Quick Facts
🇯🇵 Tokyo
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $2,685
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $1,222/mo
- Cappuccino
- $3.50
- Inexpensive meal
- $8.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $80
- Internet speed
- 220 Mbps
- Safety index
- 92/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 100/100
- Country
- Japan
🇰🇷 Seoul
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $2,296
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $931/mo
- Cappuccino
- $4.20
- Inexpensive meal
- $7.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $45
- Internet speed
- 280 Mbps
- Safety index
- 82/100(very safe)
- Healthcare index
- 99/100
- Country
- South Korea
Explore more: Tokyo city guide | Seoul city guide | Japan | South Korea
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tokyo or Seoul cheaper to live in?
Seoul is approximately 14% cheaper than Tokyo overall.
How much does it cost to live in Tokyo per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Tokyo is approximately $2,685 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
How much does it cost to live in Seoul per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in Seoul is approximately $2,296 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
What is the rent difference between Tokyo and Seoul?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $1,222/month in Tokyo and $931/month in Seoul.