Compare countries · South Korea vs Taiwan
South Korea vs Taiwan
South Korea(Asia)·
Taiwan(Asia)
Across 10 comparable indicators: South Korea leads on 1, Taiwan on 9. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Switch to the full comparison — 50+ indicators, currency toggle →Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
South Korea
61.6
Worse than 83% of countries
Taiwan
49.7
Worse than 67% of countries
Taiwan: 19% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
South Korea
16.1
Worse than 59% of countries
Taiwan
14.2
Around the global middle
Taiwan: 12% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
South Korea
1.80
Better than 73% of countries
Taiwan
1.69
Better than 78% of countries
Taiwan: more peaceful (1.69 vs 1.80).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
South Korea
71.0
Better than 80% of countries
Taiwan
83.0
Better than 97% of countries
Taiwan: higher perceived safety (83.0 vs 71.0).
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
South Korea
82.9
Better than 98% of countries
Taiwan
87.1
Better than 99% of countries
Taiwan: better-rated healthcare (87.1 vs 82.9).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
South Korea
253 Mbps
Better than 88% of countries
Taiwan
269 Mbps
Better than 90% of countries
Taiwan: 6% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
South Korea
69/100
Better than 73% of countries
Taiwan
75/100
Better than 83% of countries
Taiwan: freer press (75 vs 69 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
South Korea
6.04
Around the global middle
Taiwan
6.71
Better than 83% of countries
Taiwan: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.71 vs 6.04).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
South Korea
522
Better than 57% of countries
Taiwan
500
Worse than 57% of countries
South Korea: stronger English proficiency (522 vs 500).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
South Korea
71.9
Worse than 66% of countries
Taiwan
83.9
Better than 60% of countries
Taiwan: more pleasant climate rating (83.9 vs 71.9).
Not comparable for this pair
- Human Development Index: UNDP doesn't score one of these countries.
- GDP per person (PPP): No comparable PPP figure for one of these countries.
- Life expectancy: No recent life-expectancy figure for one of these countries.
Quick answers
Is South Korea cheaper than Taiwan?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts South Korea at 61.6 and Taiwan at 49.7. Taiwan is about 19% cheaper overall.
Is South Korea or Taiwan safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), South Korea scores 1.80 and Taiwan scores 1.69. Taiwan ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Deciding between South Korea and Taiwan 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 South Korea profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Taiwan profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.