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Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Tokyo is 7% cheaper than Seoul
| Lifestyle | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇰🇷 Seoul | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $1,600/mo | $1,450/mo | -9% |
| Moderate | $2,250/mo | $2,100/mo | -7% |
| Comfortable | $3,400/mo | $3,150/mo | -7% |
Estimates for a single person. Based on World Bank PPP data and national statistics.
| Category | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇰🇷 Seoul | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $1,100/mo | $1,000/mo | -9% |
| Groceries & Food | $450/mo | $420/mo | -7% |
| Dining Out | $160/mo | $140/mo | -12% |
| Transport | $80/mo | $45/mo | -44% |
| Utilities & Internet | $225/mo | $210/mo | -7% |
| Healthcare | $180/mo | $168/mo | -7% |
| Leisure & Personal | $158/mo | $147/mo | -7% |
Sources: SBJ (Statistics Japan), World Bank / KOSTAT, World Bank. Updated Jan 2026.
| 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% |
| 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% |
| Item | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇰🇷 Seoul | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (23 wards) | $1,100 | $1,000 | -9% |
| 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% |
| 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% |
| Item | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇰🇷 Seoul | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity, water, garbage (85m²) | $150 | $120 | -20% |
| Internet (60+ Mbps) | $35 | $22 | -37% |
| Mobile plan (10GB+) | $30 | $35 | +17% |
| Item | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇰🇷 Seoul | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pair of jeans (Levi's) | $50 | $74 | +48% |
| Running shoes (Nike/Adidas) | $75 | $90 | +20% |
| Item | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇰🇷 Seoul | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gym membership (monthly) | $60 | $45 | -25% |
| Cinema ticket | $12 | $10 | -20% |
| Item | 🇯🇵 Tokyo | 🇰🇷 Seoul | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haircut (men) | $25 | $11 | -56% |
Explore more: Tokyo city guide | Seoul city guide | Japan | South Korea