⚖️ City comparison

Osaka vs Seoul

Osaka (Japan) and Seoul (South Korea), compared on what matters when you move from the US: cost, weather, safety, internet, visas and tax.

The short version

Osaka is 25% cheaper: $1,524 vs $2,039 a month all-in for one person.
Rent is lower in Osaka: $768 vs $942 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
Both have 4 pleasant months a year.
Osaka is warmer: highs average 7°F more across the year (coldest-month high 49°F vs 36°F in Seoul; hottest 94°F vs 87°F).
Residents rate Seoul safer: a safety index of 75 vs 67 out of 100 (Numbeo survey).
The air is cleaner in Osaka: PM2.5 of 11.4 vs 17.9 µg/m³ a year.
Japan has a nomad visa ($5,299/mo); South Korea has a nomad visa ($5,162/mo).

Measure	🇯🇵 Osaka	🇰🇷 Seoul
⭐ Fit score (default weights)	76	75
💰 All-in / month	$1,524	$2,039
🏠 1BR rent, centre	$768	$942
🛒 Living costs, no rent	$756	$1,097
☀️ Pleasant months	4	4
🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month	49–94°F	36–87°F
🛡️ Safety	67/100 (residents)	75/100 (residents)
📶 Internet, median download	254 Mbps	265 Mbps
🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year	11.4 µg/m³	17.9 µg/m³
🗣️ English	Very low (EF)	Moderate (EF)
🏥 Healthcare access (WHO)	Very high	Very high
👩 Women's safety & rights	Very high	High
🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ equality	Moderate	Low
✈️ Flight to the US (est.)	~10h to Seattle	~10.5h to Seattle
🕘 US work-hour overlap	0 h	0 h
🗓️ Visa-free stay (US passport)	90 days	90 days
🛂 Nomad visa	Digital Nomad Visa (2024)	Workation Visa (F-1-D) → pilot, extended into 2026
🧾 Tax if resident	🟡 Moderate · Worldwide, with relief for newcomers, top 45%	🔴 Heavy · Worldwide income, top 45%

🇯🇵 Osaka

3 best months

🇰🇷 Seoul

3 best months

Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Osaka climate · Seoul climate.

Data last updated September 7, 2026 · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research