Cost of living
Seoul vs Tokyo: cost of living compared
Compare monthly rent, groceries, transport, dining, and utilities in Seoul and Tokyo using cited SetTern cost bands — planning only.
Using cited SetTern catalog midpoints, Seoul is about 19% cheaper per month overall. The breakdown below compares rent, groceries, transport, dining, and utilities. These are planning bands, not live listings — confirm with the linked official cost sources.
Seoul is ~19% cheaper overall
| Monthly | Seoul | Tokyo |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1br, catalog) | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Groceries (band mid) | $260 | $315 |
| Transport (band mid) | $60 | $105 |
| Dining out (band mid) | $225 | $300 |
| Utilities (band mid) | $130 | $130 |
| Living cost avg (catalog) | $2,700 | $3,200 |
Side-by-side uses cited SetTern catalog midpoints for each city — not live listings. Individual costs vary by neighbourhood and lifestyle; confirm with the linked sources.