City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $3,000/month?
Tokyo vs Seoul — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Tokyo
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 41.5 (NYC=100)
$3,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Tokyo.
Seoul
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 49.5 (NYC=100)
$3,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Seoul.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Tokyo | Seoul | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $1,450 | $1,347 | +$103 |
| Groceries | $631 | $904 | $273 |
| Dining Out | $214 | $222 | $8 |
| Transportation | $127 | $85 | +$42 |
| Utilities | $360 | $241 | +$119 |
| Other / Misc | $218 | $201 | +$17 |
| Total | $3,000 | $3,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Tokyo
$3,000
per month
Seoul equivalent
$3,578
per month
You'd need $3,578/mo in Seoul to match $3,000/mo in Tokyo.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Tokyo on $3,000/month?
Living in Tokyo on $3,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$1,450 to rent, $631 to groceries, $214 to dining.
Can I live in Seoul on $3,000/month?
In Seoul, $3,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $1,347 rent, $904 groceries, $222 dining.
Is Tokyo or Seoul cheaper?
Tokyo is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Tokyo 41.5 vs Seoul 49.5 (NYC=100).
What is $3,000/mo in Tokyo worth in Seoul?
$3,000/mo of purchasing power in Tokyo equals ~$3,578/mo in Seoul using COL adjustment.