Cities: Paris vs. Seoul

Quick Verdict

Both Paris and Seoul are vibrant global cities with distinct advantages and disadvantages. Seoul excels in safety and technology infrastructure, while Paris offers a milder climate and a diverse range of cultural attractions. The best choice depends on individual priorities and preferences. Consider the impact of air quality in Seoul and the higher crime rate in Paris when making your decision.

**Safety:** Seoul is significantly safer than Paris, especially at night.
**Cost of Living:** Both cities are expensive, but the specific costs and average salaries differ. Direct comparison requires currency conversion and consideration of local purchasing power.
**Public Transportation:** Both cities boast extensive and reliable public transportation systems.
**Climate:** Paris has a milder, oceanic climate, while Seoul experiences a humid continental climate with distinct seasons (hot summers, cold winters).
**Healthcare:** Both cities offer high-quality healthcare systems accessible to expats.
**Air Quality:** Seoul faces challenges with air quality, a factor not mentioned for Paris.
**Culture:** Both cities offer a wealth of cultural attractions, reflecting their unique histories and traditions.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Paris	Seoul
Cost of Living	Most expensive city in France; Single person: €2,300 to €3,828/month (with rent), €1,064 to €1,314/month (without rent); Family of four: €5,000-€6,118/month; Average salary: €2,570/month; Groceries: €200 to €300 monthly.	Family of four: ₩5,635,072/month; Single person: ₩3,126,208/month. Comfortable monthly salary: ₩2.5 to 3 million.
Average Monthly Rent	One-bedroom apartment in city center: €1,400-€1,600; Outside central neighborhoods: €1,100-€1,300; Furnished studios: around €1,290.	One-room apartment: ₩300,000 to over a million won per month.
Public Transportation System	Extensive network (Métro, RER, trams, buses). Métro: 5:30 AM to 12:40 AM (until 1:40 AM Fri/Sat). RER: 6:00 AM to 12:45 AM. Buses: 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM (some until 12:30 AM). Single ticket (t+): 90 minutes with transfers. Navigo Pass: unlimited travel.	Extensive network of subways and buses. Efficient, clean, and easy to use. Subway: 5:30 AM to midnight. Color-coded lines and signs in Korean, English, and Chinese. Free transfers for Tmoney users.
Safety and Crime Rate	General crime rate: 62.23% (high); Safety rate: 62.59% (day), 35.89% (night). Common crimes: theft, drug dealing, verbal attacks. Most dangerous districts: 1st, 2nd, 8th arrondissements.	Very safe city with low crime rates. Safe to walk around at night. Violent crime is rare. Pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas.
Cultural Attractions and Landmarks	Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Montmartre, Musée d'Orsay, Sainte-Chapelle, Luxembourg Palace, Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, Arc de Triomphe, Palace of Versailles.	Bukchon Hanok Village, Changdeokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Seoul City Wall, The War Memorial of Korea, Gyeongbokgung Palace, National Museum of Korea, Namsan Hanok Village, Insadong.
Job Market and Economic Opportunities	Key sectors: financial services, IT, creative industries, tourism. High demand in IT, healthcare, engineering, hospitality. Unemployment rate: 7.5% (Q4 2023); Average monthly salary: €2,570.	Major industries: technology, manufacturing, and finance. Comfortable monthly salary: ₩2.5 to 3 million.
Climate and Weather Conditions	Mild, moderately wet oceanic climate. Summer: 15-25°C. Winter: average low around 3°C. Rainfall: 641 mm annually.	Dry-winter humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Hot, humid summers (up to 35°C). Cold winters (sometimes below -10°C). Rainy season: June-September.
Quality of Education	Top-rated schools and universities; Numerous courses in aerospace, engineering, and technology.	Top-rated schools and universities.
Healthcare System	Considered one of the best in the world. Expats can access public health insurance. Public insurance covers a significant portion of medical expenses. Many opt for private insurance.	Compulsory National Health Insurance (NHI) system. High standards of medical care in public and private hospitals. Expats can access healthcare via NHI.
Availability of Housing	Expensive, especially in central areas. Types: apartments, studios, private rooms. Renting requires documents and a deposit.	Various housing types, from small apartments to larger residences.
Nightlife and Entertainment	Wide array of options: bars, clubs, restaurants, theaters. Safety varies by area.	Clubs, bars, live music cafes, and cultural shows. Gangnam: upscale clubs and bars. Hongdae: artsy and student-friendly. Itaewon: international atmosphere.
Environmental Quality (Air & Water)	Not available.	Faces challenges related to air quality.
Internet Connectivity and Technology Infrastructure	Typical French internet package (≥ 60 Mbps, unlimited): about €29.90/month; Well-developed technology infrastructure.	Advanced internet connectivity and technology infrastructure.

Overall Comparison

{'crime_rate': {'Paris': '62.23%', 'Seoul': 'Low'}, 'unemployment_rate': {'Paris': '7.5% (Q4 2023)', 'Seoul': 'Not available'}, 'summer_temperature': {'Paris': '15-25°C', 'Seoul': 'Up to 35°C'}, 'winter_temperature': {'Paris': 'Average low around 3°C', 'Seoul': 'Sometimes below -10°C'}}

Pros and Cons

Paris

Pros:

Extensive public transportation system
Top-rated schools and universities
High-quality healthcare system
Wide array of nightlife and entertainment options
Well-developed technology infrastructure

Cons:

High cost of living
High crime rate
Safety decreases significantly at night
Expensive housing

Seoul

Pros:

Extensive and reliable public transportation
Low crime rates
High-quality healthcare system
Top-rated schools and universities
Advanced internet connectivity
Diverse cultural attractions and landmarks

Cons:

Air quality challenges
High cost of living compared to other Asian cities
Hot and humid summers
Cold winters

User Experiences and Feedback

Paris

What Users Love

Reliable and extensive public transportation
Generally accessible cultural attractions
High-quality education
Accessible healthcare

Common Complaints

Common crimes are theft, drug dealing, and verbal attacks
Safety decreases significantly at night

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

Average monthly cost of rent for a one-bedroom apartment in a central location? Between €1,400 and €1,600.
How reliable and extensive is the public transportation system? Reliable and extensive, including trains, buses, and subways.
What are the most common types of crimes reported, and how safe do residents feel walking alone at night? Common crimes are theft, drug dealing, and verbal attacks. Safety decreases significantly at night.
What are the must-see cultural attractions and landmarks, and how accessible are they to the public? Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Montmartre, Musée d'Orsay. They are generally accessible via public transportation.
What are the major industries and job opportunities available, and what is the average salary for common professions? Major industries include financial services, IT, creative industries, and tourism. The average salary is around €2,570 per month.
What are the typical weather patterns throughout the year, and are there any common natural disasters? Mild, moderately wet oceanic climate with warm summers and cool winters. No common natural disasters.
What are the top-rated schools and universities, and what is the quality of education at different levels? Paris has top-rated schools and universities, offering high-quality education.
How accessible and affordable is healthcare, and what is the quality of medical services? Healthcare is accessible and of high quality, with public insurance available. Many opt for supplemental private insurance.
What types of housing are available, and what is the process for buying or renting property? Apartments, studios, and private rooms are available. Renting requires providing documents and a deposit.
What are the popular nightlife and entertainment options, and how safe are these areas at night? Bars, clubs, restaurants, and theaters are popular. Safety varies by area.

Seoul

What Users Love

Safe to walk alone at night
Accessible and high-quality healthcare
Efficient and easy-to-use subway system
Diverse nightlife and entertainment options

Common Complaints

Pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas
Air quality can be a concern

Value Perception

Comfortable monthly salary: ₩2.5 to 3 million
One-bedroom apartment in downtown Seoul: ₩800,000 to ₩1,500,000 per month

User Recommendations

Seoul's public transportation system is highly reliable and extensive, including trains, buses, and subways.
Seoul is considered safe, and it is generally safe to walk alone at night.
Healthcare is accessible and of high quality due to the National Health Insurance system.