Turin vs Seoul
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Turin is ~26% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Turin
Italy
COL+Rent
36.6
Rent Index
20.2
Groceries
47.3
Restaurant
41.6
Seoul
South Korea
COL+Rent
49.5
Rent Index
23.8
Groceries
94.6
Restaurant
46.5
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Turin | Seoul | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $893 | $1,014 | $121 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $626 | $733 | $107 |
| Groceries | $268 | $586 | $318 |
| Restaurant Meal | $15 | $12 | +$3 |
| Transit Pass | $30 | $55 | $25 |
| Utilities | $172 | $156 | +$16 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Turin | Seoul |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,076/mo | $1,402/mo |
| Typical | $1,588/mo | $1,991/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,001/mo | $2,440/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Turin | ≈ in Seoul | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,029/mo | +$529 |
| $2,000/mo | $2,705/mo | +$705 |
| $3,000/mo | $4,057/mo | +$1,057 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Turin vs Seoul for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Turin is approximately 26% more affordable than Seoul when combining rent and daily living costs. Turin's COL+Rent Index of 36.6 vs Seoul's 49.5 (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 Turin costs $893/month versus $1,014/month in Seoul — 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 Turin ($268/mo) vs Seoul ($586/mo) reflect Turin's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $15 vs $12 show Turin is the better value for dining out. 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.