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Shanghai vs Seoul

CN China KR South Korea

Shanghai, China compared with Seoul, South Korea: cost of living, scores, climate and more.

At a glance

At a glance
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Country China South Korea
Nomad score 6.7 / 10 7.4 / 10
Cost of living $3,211 / mo $2,720 / mo
Internet speed Data unavailable Data unavailable
Weather now 26° / 20°C 20° / 13°C
Air quality (AQI) 92 Moderate 56 Moderate
Community votes 0 0 0 0

Climate averages

Yearly averages of monthly climate data

Climate averages
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Average high 21.8°C 17.1°C
Average low 13.9°C 8°C
Precipitation 113 mm / mo 120 mm / mo
Sunshine 233 h / mo 253 h / mo
Humidity 76% 71%
Rain days 10.3 / mo 8.8 / mo
Wind speed 17.7 km/h 15.8 km/h

CN Shanghai · average high by month

KR Seoul · average high by month

Air quality

Air quality
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
US AQI 92 56
PM2.5 19.6 µg/m³ 21.7 µg/m³
PM10 28.2 µg/m³ 35.9 µg/m³
Ozone 59 µg/m³ 48 µg/m³
UV index 0 0

Business & Economy

Scores out of 10

Business & Economy
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Blockchain & Crypto Adoption 2.0 8.2
Local Payment Services 9.4 9.5
Startup Scene 8.4 9.0

Climate & Environment

Scores out of 10

Climate & Environment
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Air Conditioning 8.3 8.6
Green Spaces 6.0 6.8
Natural Disaster Risk 5.3 6.4
Noise Pollution 4.1 4.4
Seasonal Variety 7.0 7.6
Weather 4.8 6.6

Connectivity

Scores out of 10

Connectivity
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Mobile Network Coverage 9.6 9.7
Power Grid Reliability 9.3 9.6
Public WiFi Availability 6.8 9.0
VPN Reliability 4.0 8.4

Cost & Affordability

Scores out of 10

Cost & Affordability
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Accommodation Cost 4.3 3.7
Cost of Living 5.4 4.4
Currency Stability 7.7 8.3
Entertainment Cost 5.7 5.3
Food & Groceries 6.8 5.4
Gym Membership Cost 5.8 6.2
Transportation Cost 8.1 8.2

Culture & Entertainment

Scores out of 10

Culture & Entertainment
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Culture 8.7 8.9
Indoors Fun 8.6 8.9
Language Learning Opportunities 6.8 7.8
Local Experiences & Tours 8.0 8.6
Nightlife 8.5 9.1
Outdoors & Nature 4.6 7.1

Digital Nomad Community

Scores out of 10

Digital Nomad Community
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Nomad Events & Meetups 6.8 7.6
Nomad Friendly 6.4 7.9
Online Community Presence 6.3 7.7

Digital Nomad Essentials

Scores out of 10

Digital Nomad Essentials
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Cafes with WiFi 8.8 9.1
Coworking Spaces Availability 8.8 9.2
Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes 7.3 7.8
Digital Nomad Popularity 5.9 7.1
Internet Speed 9.1 9.6
Local SIM Card Availability 8.3 9.2

Food & Fitness

Scores out of 10

Food & Fitness
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Fitness Facilities 8.9 8.8
Food Scene 9.4 9.2
Healthy Food Options 8.2 8.2
Yoga Studios 8.2 7.7

Healthcare

Scores out of 10

Healthcare
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Healthcare 7.9 8.3
Healthcare Affordability 7.4 7.3
Healthcare Quality 8.3 9.0

Legal & Administrative

Scores out of 10

Legal & Administrative
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Digital Nomad Visa Availability 0.5 7.5
Ease of Business Registration 3.4 5.2
Ease of Opening Bank Account 3.3 4.6
Freedom of Speech 1.3 6.8
Political Stability 8.5 7.7
Tax Friendliness 3.4 4.3
Visa Ease 4.7 6.9

Quality of Life

Scores out of 10

Quality of Life
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Air Quality 4.7 4.5
Cleanliness 7.2 8.4
Environmental Quality 5.5 6.3
Family Friendly 7.0 7.6
Language Barrier 4.5 5.4
Work-Life Balance 5.6 5.7

Safety & Tolerance

Scores out of 10

Safety & Tolerance
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Female Friendly 8.0 8.2
Racial Tolerance 6.2 6.4
Safety 8.8 9.1

Transportation

Scores out of 10

Transportation
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Airport Connectivity 9.4 9.4
Cycling 7.3 6.8
Intercity Travel Options 9.3 9.3
Public Transit 9.6 9.7
Ride-sharing Services 9.1 8.0
Scooter/Bike Rental Availability 8.7 8.6
Walkability 7.5 8.3

Work Environment

Scores out of 10

Work Environment
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Coworking Quality 8.6 8.8
Freelance Ecosystem 6.5 7.2
Networking Opportunities 8.6 8.0
Remote Job Opportunities 6.6 7.7
Time Zone Favorability 7.0 6.3

Clothing

Local prices in US dollars

Clothing
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Jeans $72 per pair $50 per pair
Summer Dress $46 per dress $40 per dress
Running Shoes $109 per pair $83 per pair

Dining Out

Local prices in US dollars

Dining Out
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Dining Out $116 per month $147 per month

Entertainment

Local prices in US dollars

Entertainment
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Cinema Ticket $9.42 per ticket $9.99 per ticket

Food & Dining

Local prices in US dollars

Food & Dining
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Coffee $4.64 per cup $3.66 per cup
Beer $2.17 per pint $4.00 per pint
Meal (Inexpensive) $6.52 per meal $6.66 per meal
Meal (Mid-range, 2 people) $65 per meal $47 per meal
Fast Food Combo $6.09 per meal $6.33 per meal
Apples $2.61 per kg $8.00 per kg
Bread $3.19 per loaf $2.80 per loaf
Water (1.5L bottle) $0.65 per bottle $1.07 per bottle
Milk $2.32 per liter $2.07 per liter
Rice $1.45 per kg $3.20 per kg
Chicken Fillets $5.07 per kg $11 per kg
Beef $14 per kg $30 per kg
Wine (Mid-range) $22 per bottle $17 per bottle

Groceries

Local prices in US dollars

Groceries
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Groceries $217 per month $233 per month

Health Insurance

Local prices in US dollars

Health Insurance
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Health Insurance $29 per month $97 per month

Healthcare

Local prices in US dollars

Healthcare
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Doctor Visit (GP) $116 per visit $9.99 per visit
Pharmacy (basic meds) $5.80 per purchase $4.00 per purchase

Housing

Local prices in US dollars

Housing
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Housing $652 per month $366 per month
Apartment (1 bedroom) $1,232 per month $833 per month
Airbnb (1 month) $2,102 per month $1,866 per month
Coworking Space $261 per month $233 per month
Coliving Space $899 per month $733 per month

Internet & Mobile

Local prices in US dollars

Internet & Mobile
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Internet & Mobile $17 per month $30 per month

Leisure Activities

Local prices in US dollars

Leisure Activities
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Leisure Activities $58 per month $67 per month

Personal Care

Local prices in US dollars

Personal Care
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Haircut $17 per visit $17 per visit
Laundry $3.62 per kg $9.99 per kg

Services

Local prices in US dollars

Services
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Mobile Plan $19 per month $41 per month
Internet (60 Mbps+) $23 per month $27 per month
SIM Card (Tourist, prepaid) $22 one-time $25 one-time
Gym Membership $80 per month $57 per month
Tennis Court (Weekend) $26 per hour $23 per hour

Transportation

Local prices in US dollars

Transportation
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Transportation $43 per month $70 per month
Taxi Start $2.32 per trip $3.20 per trip
Taxi per km $0.39 per km $0.73 per km
Monthly Transport Pass $41 per month $43 per month
Ride-hailing (5km) $3.62 per trip $6.33 per trip
Gasoline $1.23 per liter $1.17 per liter
Scooter Rental $0.36 per month $5.33 per month

Utilities

Local prices in US dollars

Utilities
CN Shanghai KR Seoul
Utilities $51 per month $80 per month