Compare countries · Australia vs South Korea
Australia vs South Korea
Australia(Oceania)·
South Korea(Asia)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Australia leads on 6, South Korea on 5, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Australia cheaper than South Korea?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Australia at 67.9 and South Korea at 61.6. South Korea is about 9% cheaper overall.
Is Australia or South Korea safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Australia scores 1.60 and South Korea scores 1.84. Australia ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Australia or South Korea?
On the UN Human Development Index, Australia scores 0.946 and South Korea scores 0.929. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Australia compared to South Korea?
GNI per capita runs $64,120 in Australia against $37,880 in South Korea; people live 83.1 years on average against 83.6; Numbeo users rate healthcare 72 against 83. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Australia
67.9
Worse than 87% of countries
South Korea
61.6
Worse than 83% of countries
South Korea: 9% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Australia
33.7
Worse than 92% of countries
South Korea
16.1
Worse than 59% of countries
South Korea: 52% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Australia
1.60
Better than 88% of countries
South Korea
1.84
Better than 66% of countries
Australia: more peaceful (1.60 vs 1.84).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Australia
52.5
Worse than 57% of countries
South Korea
71.0
Better than 80% of countries
South Korea: higher perceived safety (71.0 vs 52.5).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Australia
0.946
Better than 95% of countries
South Korea
0.929
Better than 91% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Australia
$71,934
Better than 88% of countries
South Korea
$63,125
Better than 84% of countries
Australia: 14% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Australia
83.1 yrs
Better than 91% of countries
South Korea
83.6 yrs
Better than 94% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Australia
72.0
Better than 76% of countries
South Korea
82.9
Better than 98% of countries
South Korea: better-rated healthcare (82.9 vs 72.0).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Australia
157 Mbps
Better than 69% of countries
South Korea
253 Mbps
Better than 88% of countries
South Korea: 62% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Australia
75/100
Better than 81% of countries
South Korea
69/100
Better than 73% of countries
Australia: freer press (75 vs 69 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Australia
6.92
Better than 90% of countries
South Korea
6.04
Around the global middle
Australia: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.92 vs 6.04).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Australia
700
Better than 94% of countries
South Korea
522
Better than 57% of countries
Australia: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 522).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Australia
91.9
Better than 80% of countries
South Korea
71.9
Worse than 66% of countries
Australia: more pleasant climate rating (91.9 vs 71.9).
Deciding between Australia and South Korea for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Australia profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.