Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026
Yes, Shanghai is 33% cheaper than Seoul based on our cost of living index. Shanghai has a COLI of 46.2, while Seoul has a COLI of 68.9. 33% cheaper
Overall, Shanghai is approximately 33% cheaper than Seoul based on our cost of living index. Seoul has a COLI of 68.9 (ranked #24 of 182 cities), while Shanghai has a COLI of 46.2 (ranked #60).
When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Seoul averages $1,200/month compared to $1,100/month in Shanghai. That makes Shanghai approximately 8% cheaper for rent alone.
Seoul has lower total deductions (24.6%) compared to Shanghai (35.2%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Seoul. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.
Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.
Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.
If you earn ₩95,218,373 in Seoul, you would need approximately ¥338,551 in Shanghai to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 33% less thanks to lower cost of living.
Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:
| Job Title | Seoul (KRW) | Shanghai (CNY) |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor (General) | ₩157,453,102 | ¥559,827 |
| Software Engineer | ₩74,352,854 | ¥264,363 |
| Product Manager | ₩87,473,946 | ¥311,015 |
| Lawyer | ₩87,473,946 | ¥311,015 |
| Data Scientist | ₩83,100,248 | ¥295,464 |
| Marketing Manager | ₩62,981,241 | ¥223,931 |
| Teacher | ₩41,987,494 | ¥149,287 |
| Nurse | ₩50,734,889 | ¥180,389 |
Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.
| Neighborhood | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Gangnam | 1.30x (+30%) |
| Seocho | 1.25x (+25%) |
| Myeongdong | 1.20x (+20%) |
| Bukchon | 1.18x (+18%) |
| Itaewon | 1.15x (+15%) |
| Neighborhood | Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Jing'an | 1.30x (+30%) |
| Xuhui (French Concession) | 1.28x (+28%) |
| Lujiazui (Pudong) | 1.25x (+25%) |
| Xintiandi | 1.25x (+25%) |
| Huangpu (The Bund) | 1.22x (+22%) |
Sponsored
Save up to 6x on international transfers. Send money at the real exchange rate with no hidden fees.
Compare Transfer Fees →Use our converter with 3,400+ neighborhood adjustments for a precise salary comparison
Open Salary ConverterSeoul is more expensive overall. Seoul has a COLI of 68.9 while Shanghai has a COLI of 46.2, making Shanghai approximately 33% cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living as ₩95,218,373 in Seoul, you would need approximately ¥338,551 in Shanghai.
Average one-bedroom rent in Seoul is $1,200/month compared to $1,100/month in Shanghai. Shanghai has lower rent by approximately 8%.
Seoul has lower total deductions (24.6%) compared to Shanghai (35.2%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Seoul.
Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.
Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.
Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.