Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026
Yes, Seoul is 11% cheaper than Tokyo based on our cost of living index. Seoul has a COLI of 68.9, while Tokyo has a COLI of 77.3. 11% cheaper
Overall, Seoul is approximately 11% cheaper than Tokyo based on our cost of living index. Seoul has a COLI of 68.9 (ranked #24 of 182 cities), while Tokyo has a COLI of 77.3 (ranked #16).
When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Seoul averages $1,200/month compared to $1,500/month in Tokyo. That makes Seoul approximately 20% cheaper for rent alone.
Seoul has lower total deductions (24.6%) compared to Tokyo (30.7%), 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 ¥13,034,668 in Tokyo to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 11% more due to higher cost of living.
Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:
| Job Title | Seoul (KRW) | Tokyo (JPY) |
|---|---|---|
| Doctor (General) | ₩157,453,102 | ¥21,554,127 |
| Software Engineer | ₩74,352,854 | ¥10,178,338 |
| Product Manager | ₩87,473,946 | ¥11,974,515 |
| Lawyer | ₩87,473,946 | ¥11,974,515 |
| Data Scientist | ₩83,100,248 | ¥11,375,789 |
| Marketing Manager | ₩62,981,241 | ¥8,621,651 |
| Teacher | ₩41,987,494 | ¥5,747,767 |
| Nurse | ₩50,734,889 | ¥6,945,219 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Chiyoda (Marunouchi) | 1.35x (+35%) |
| Azabu | 1.35x (+35%) |
| Minato (Roppongi) | 1.30x (+30%) |
| Daikanyama | 1.28x (+28%) |
| Shibuya | 1.25x (+25%) |
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Open Salary ConverterTokyo is more expensive overall. Seoul has a COLI of 68.9 while Tokyo has a COLI of 77.3, making Seoul approximately 11% cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living as ₩95,218,373 in Seoul, you would need approximately ¥13,034,668 in Tokyo.
Average one-bedroom rent in Seoul is $1,200/month compared to $1,500/month in Tokyo. Seoul has lower rent by approximately 20%.
Seoul has lower total deductions (24.6%) compared to Tokyo (30.7%), 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.