Seoul vs Turin
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Turin is ~26% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Seoul
South Korea
COL+Rent
49.5
Rent Index
23.8
Groceries
94.6
Restaurant
46.5
Turin
Italy
COL+Rent
36.6
Rent Index
20.2
Groceries
47.3
Restaurant
41.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Seoul | Turin | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,014 | $893 | +$121 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $733 | $626 | +$107 |
| Groceries | $586 | $268 | +$318 |
| Restaurant Meal | $12 | $15 | $3 |
| Transit Pass | $55 | $30 | +$25 |
| Utilities | $156 | $172 | $16 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Seoul | Turin |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,402/mo | $1,076/mo |
| Typical | $1,991/mo | $1,588/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,440/mo | $2,001/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Seoul | ≈ in Turin | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $1,109/mo | -$391 |
| $2,000/mo | $1,479/mo | -$521 |
| $3,000/mo | $2,218/mo | -$782 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Seoul vs Turin for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Turin is approximately 26% more affordable than Seoul when combining rent and daily living costs. Seoul's COL+Rent Index of 49.5 vs Turin's 36.6 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Seoul costs $1,014/month versus $893/month in Turin — giving Turin a $121/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, the rent difference is modest and may be offset by other cost categories.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Seoul ($586/mo) vs Turin ($268/mo) reflect Turin's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $12 vs $15 show Turin offers cheaper dining. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Turin offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $1,588 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.