Compare countries · Japan vs South Korea
Japan vs South Korea
Japan(Asia)·
South Korea(Asia)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Japan leads on 5, South Korea on 4, 4 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Japan cheaper than South Korea?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Japan at 47.5 and South Korea at 61.6. Japan is about 23% cheaper overall.
Is Japan or South Korea safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Japan scores 1.49 and South Korea scores 1.84. Japan ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Japan or South Korea?
On the UN Human Development Index, Japan scores 0.925 and South Korea scores 0.937. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Japan compared to South Korea?
GNI per capita runs $38,340 in Japan against $37,880 in South Korea; people live 84.0 years on average against 83.6; Numbeo users rate healthcare 80 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)
Japan
47.5
Worse than 61% of countries
South Korea
61.6
Worse than 83% of countries
Japan: 23% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Japan
14.7
Around the global middle
South Korea
16.1
Worse than 59% of countries
Japan: 9% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Japan
1.49
Better than 94% of countries
South Korea
1.84
Better than 66% of countries
Japan: more peaceful (1.49 vs 1.84).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Japan
77.2
Better than 93% of countries
South Korea
71.0
Better than 80% of countries
Japan: higher perceived safety (77.2 vs 71.0).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Japan
0.925
Better than 88% of countries
South Korea
0.937
Better than 90% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Japan
$55,422
Better than 79% of countries
South Korea
$63,125
Better than 84% of countries
South Korea: 14% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Japan
84.0 yrs
Better than 95% of countries
South Korea
83.6 yrs
Better than 94% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Japan
80.1
Better than 96% of countries
South Korea
82.9
Better than 98% of countries
South Korea: better-rated healthcare (82.9 vs 80.1).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Japan
256 Mbps
Better than 89% of countries
South Korea
253 Mbps
Better than 88% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Japan
63/100
Better than 65% of countries
South Korea
69/100
Better than 73% of countries
South Korea: freer press (69 vs 63 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Japan
6.13
Better than 58% of countries
South Korea
6.04
Around the global middle
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Japan
446
Worse than 80% of countries
South Korea
522
Better than 57% of countries
South Korea: stronger English proficiency (522 vs 446).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Japan
83.8
Better than 59% of countries
South Korea
71.9
Worse than 66% of countries
Japan: more pleasant climate rating (83.8 vs 71.9).
Deciding between Japan 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 Japan profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full South Korea profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.