Japan vs South Korea — Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Updated March 2026
Japan has a cost of living index of 66.0 with average 1BR rent around $920/mo, while South Korea sits at 64.0 with rent near $920/mo. Below is the full side-by-side breakdown for digital nomads, expats and remote workers weighing a move.
| Metric | Japan | South Korea | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortgage Interest Rate | 1.40% | 4.50% | Japan |
| Savings Account Interest Rate | 0.30% | 3.40% | South Korea |
| Credit Card Interest Rate (APR) | 14.5% | 14.0% | South Korea |
| Average Rent (1BR City Centre) | US$920/mo | US$920/mo | |
| Real Estate Price (per m²) | US$9,100/m² | US$11,500/m² | Japan |
Summary
Japan has a lower mortgage rate than South Korea at 1.40% vs 4.50%. Rental costs in Japan average $920/month compared to $920 in South Korea, while the cost of living index sits at 66.0 versus 64.0. Overall, the two countries trade strengths across financial and lifestyle metrics.
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How we calculate this
Cost of living, rent, mortgage, savings and tax figures combine official sources (World Bank, central banks, national statistics offices) with crowdsourced price data, refreshed regularly. Full breakdown: read our methodology.
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