Is Japan or South Korea cheaper to live in as an expat?

Japan is significantly cheaper with a cost of living index of 47.5 compared to South Korea's 61.6, making Japan approximately 23% more affordable. This includes lower rent, food costs, and daily expenses. However, South Korea offers higher salaries in the tech sector (10-15% premium), which can offset the higher living costs for professionals.

Which country has easier immigration for expats?

South Korea offers 7 non-tourist visa pathways compared to Japan's 6, providing marginally more options. However, both countries require language proficiency for many visa categories. Japan has more established English resources and expat communities, making the immigration process feel more accessible despite having fewer official pathways.

Which country is better for tech professionals?

South Korea offers superior opportunities for tech professionals with 10-15% higher salaries, a booming startup ecosystem, and companies like Samsung, LG, and Kakao. Japan is better for automotive, robotics, and electronics engineers. Both rank 14th globally in purchasing power, but South Korea's venture capital scene and younger demographic make it more attractive for startups.

What are the demographic differences between Japan and South Korea?

Japan has 28.8% of its population over 65 years old (an aging society), while South Korea has only 17.5%. South Korea's population is 51 million vs Japan's 123 million. South Korea's younger demographic creates more dynamic job markets and cultural energy, while Japan offers a more stable, established infrastructure.

How do the countries compare militarily?

South Korea ranks 7th globally in overall military power with superior land capabilities, while Japan has stronger naval power. South Korea spends approximately $58 billion annually on defense vs Japan's ~$45 billion. Both nations have advanced militaries, but South Korea's compulsory military service (18-21 months for men) creates a larger standing force.

Japan vs South Korea

Updated May 5, 2026

Japan

East Asian island nation and world's 3rd largest economy with advanced technology, manufacturing, and cultural influence.

Budget-conscious expats, digital nomads, families seeking lower living costs, those working in automotive/electronics industries, retirees

South Korea

Dynamic East Asian nation ranking 14th in purchasing power with world-leading tech companies, entertainment, and manufacturing sectors.

Tech professionals, startup founders, entertainment/gaming industry workers, those seeking higher salaries, young professionals in competitive fields

Short Answer

Japan offers a 23% lower cost of living (47.5 vs 61.6 index) and stronger logistics infrastructure, while South Korea provides superior land and naval military capabilities and slightly easier visa pathways (7 vs 6 non-tourist options). Both are advanced East Asian economies with comparable quality of life for expats.

Our Verdict

Choose Japan if you prioritize affordability (23% lower cost of living), superior logistics infrastructure, and a more mature expat infrastructure with established communities. Choose South Korea if you prefer easier visa accessibility (7 pathways), stronger military capabilities, cutting-edge tech innovation, and a dynamic startup ecosystem with higher earning potential in tech sectors.

Japan7.1

7.9South Korea

Choose Japan if

Budget-conscious expats, digital nomads, families seeking lower living costs, those working in automotive/electronics industries, retirees

Key Differences at a Glance

💰

Cost of Living Index: Japan wins (47.5 vs 61.6)

🔹

Non-Tourist Visa Pathways: South Korea wins (7 pathways vs 6 pathways)

🔹

Land Military Power Ranking: South Korea wins (Higher ranking (7th globally) vs Lower ranking)

See all 7 differences

Key Facts & Figures

Metric	Japan	South Korea	Diff
GDP(USD)	$4.2 Trillion	$1.7 Trillion	+147%
Life Expectancy(years)	84.6	83.5	+1%
Total GDP (Nominal 2026)(USD trillion)	$4.2	—	—

Key Differences

Japan

Attribute

South Korea

47.5🏆

Cost of Living Index

61.6

6 pathways

Non-Tourist Visa Pathways

7 pathways🏆

Lower ranking

Land Military Power Ranking

Higher ranking (7th globally)

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US vs China GDP Comparison 2026: Latest Economic Figures

As of 2026, the United States maintains a substantial lead in nominal GDP at $32.38 trillion versus China's $20.85 trillion. However, when adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP), China's economy is significantly larger. Here's what the latest data reveals about these two global economic superpowers.

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Last updated: May 5, 2026AI generated

Cost of Living Index

Japan

47.5🏆

South Korea

61.6

Non-Tourist Visa Pathways

Japan

6 pathways

South Korea

7 pathways🏆

Land Military Power Ranking

Japan

Lower ranking

South Korea

Higher ranking (7th globally)🏆

Naval Power Capability

Japan

Strong capability

South Korea

Strong capability

Logistics Infrastructure

Japan

Superior🏆

South Korea

Lower ranking

Purchasing Power (Nominal GDP ranking)

Japan

Rank 14

South Korea

Rank 14

Affordability for Expats

Japan

23% cheaper overall🏆

South Korea

More expensive

Full Comparison

Attribute	Japan	South Korea

GDP(USD)	$4.2 Trillion	$1.7 Trillion
Cost of Living Index(index points)	47.5	61.6
GDP Purchasing Power Ranking(global rank)	Rank 14	Rank 14

Life Expectancy(years)	84.6	83.5

Total GDP (Nominal 2026)(USD trillion)	$4.2	—

GDP Per Capita(USD)	$33,800	$34,000

Total Population(billions)	125 million	—
Population Over 65 Years(percent)	28.8%	17.5%

Defence Expenditure 2024(EUR billion)	€50.9 billion	—

Education Spending Per Capita(EUR)	€1,047	—

Government Health Expenditure(USD Million)	$383,823M	—

Oil Import Cost Impact at $126 Brent(% of GDP)	1.14%	—

Global EV Production Market Share(percent)	~15%	—

Non-Tourist Visa Pathways(number of visas)	6 pathways	7 pathways

Military Spending(USD billions)	~$45 billion	~$58 billion
Land Military Power Ranking(global capability rank)	Lower ranking	Higher ranking (7th of 145)

Population(millions)	~123 million	~51 million

Tech Sector Salary Premium(percent above baseline)	Baseline (0%)	10-15% premium

Japan

South Korea

GDP(USD)

$4.2 Trillion

$1.7 Trillion

Cost of Living Index(index points)

47.5

61.6

GDP Purchasing Power Ranking(global rank)

Rank 14

Life Expectancy(years)

84.6

83.5

Total GDP (Nominal 2026)(USD trillion)

$4.2

—

GDP Per Capita(USD)

$33,800

$34,000

Total Population(billions)

125 million

—

Population Over 65 Years(percent)

28.8%

17.5%

Defence Expenditure 2024(EUR billion)

€50.9 billion

—

Education Spending Per Capita(EUR)

€1,047

—

Government Health Expenditure(USD Million)

$383,823M

—

Oil Import Cost Impact at $126 Brent(% of GDP)

1.14%

—

Global EV Production Market Share(percent)

~15%

—

Non-Tourist Visa Pathways(number of visas)

6 pathways

7 pathways

Military Spending(USD billions)

~$45 billion

~$58 billion

Land Military Power Ranking(global capability rank)

Lower ranking

Higher ranking (7th of 145)

Population(millions)

~123 million

~51 million

Tech Sector Salary Premium(percent above baseline)

Baseline (0%)

10-15% premium

Full Comparison

Attribute	Japan	South Korea

GDP(USD)	$4.2 Trillion	$1.7 Trillion
Cost of Living Index(index points)	47.5	61.6
GDP Purchasing Power Ranking(global rank)	Rank 14	Rank 14

Life Expectancy(years)	84.6	83.5

Total GDP (Nominal 2026)(USD trillion)	$4.2	—

GDP Per Capita(USD)	$33,800	$34,000

Total Population(billions)	125 million	—
Population Over 65 Years(percent)	28.8%	17.5%

Defence Expenditure 2024(EUR billion)	€50.9 billion	—

Education Spending Per Capita(EUR)	€1,047	—

Government Health Expenditure(USD Million)	$383,823M	—

Oil Import Cost Impact at $126 Brent(% of GDP)	1.14%	—

Global EV Production Market Share(percent)	~15%	—

Non-Tourist Visa Pathways(number of visas)	6 pathways	7 pathways

Military Spending(USD billions)	~$45 billion	~$58 billion
Land Military Power Ranking(global capability rank)	Lower ranking	Higher ranking (7th of 145)

Population(millions)	~123 million	~51 million

Tech Sector Salary Premium(percent above baseline)	Baseline (0%)	10-15% premium

Japan

South Korea

GDP(USD)

$4.2 Trillion

$1.7 Trillion

Cost of Living Index(index points)

47.5

61.6

GDP Purchasing Power Ranking(global rank)

Rank 14

Life Expectancy(years)

84.6

83.5

Total GDP (Nominal 2026)(USD trillion)

$4.2

—

GDP Per Capita(USD)

$33,800

$34,000

Total Population(billions)

125 million

—

Population Over 65 Years(percent)

28.8%

17.5%

Defence Expenditure 2024(EUR billion)

€50.9 billion

—

Education Spending Per Capita(EUR)

€1,047

—

Government Health Expenditure(USD Million)

$383,823M

—

Oil Import Cost Impact at $126 Brent(% of GDP)

1.14%

—

Global EV Production Market Share(percent)

~15%

—

Non-Tourist Visa Pathways(number of visas)

6 pathways

7 pathways

Military Spending(USD billions)

~$45 billion

~$58 billion

Land Military Power Ranking(global capability rank)

Lower ranking

Higher ranking (7th of 145)

Population(millions)

~123 million

~51 million

Tech Sector Salary Premium(percent above baseline)

Baseline (0%)

10-15% premium

Japan vs South Korea

Japan

South Korea

Short Answer

Our Verdict

Key Differences at a Glance

Key Facts & Figures

Key Differences

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Full Comparison

Visual Comparison

Pros & Cons

Japan

Pros

Cons

South Korea

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources & Learn More

Wikipedia

Videos

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