City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/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)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Tokyo.
Seoul
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 49.5 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Seoul.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Tokyo | Seoul | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,417 | $2,245 | +$172 |
| Groceries | $1,052 | $1,506 | $454 |
| Dining Out | $357 | $370 | $13 |
| Transportation | $211 | $141 | +$70 |
| Utilities | $600 | $401 | +$199 |
| Other / Misc | $363 | $337 | +$26 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Tokyo
$5,000
per month
Seoul equivalent
$5,964
per month
You'd need $5,964/mo in Seoul to match $5,000/mo in Tokyo.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Tokyo on $5,000/month?
Living in Tokyo on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,417 to rent, $1,052 to groceries, $357 to dining.
Can I live in Seoul on $5,000/month?
In Seoul, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,245 rent, $1,506 groceries, $370 dining.
Is Tokyo or Seoul cheaper?
Tokyo is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Tokyo 41.5 vs Seoul 49.5 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Tokyo worth in Seoul?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Tokyo equals ~$5,964/mo in Seoul using COL adjustment.