At a glance
| Factor | Beijing | Seoul |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | CNY 220,000 to 360,000 (USD 30,000 to 50,000) | KRW 28M to 42M (USD 20,000 to 31,000) |
| Dominant curricula | IB, American, British, Chinese bilingual | IB, American, British, Korean bilingual |
| Cost of living vs Beijing (Expatistan, 2026) | Baseline | About 15 to 20 percent higher on housing |
| Family visa | Z visa with S1 or S2 family dependants | E-7 or D-8 with F-3 family |
| Expat share of city | About 2.5 percent registered foreigners | About 3 percent in Seoul Metropolitan |
| Typical relocation timeline | 10 to 14 weeks | 8 to 12 weeks |
Beijing has the more established and IB-heavy international school market, concentrated in the Shunyi compounds north of the city. Seoul is roughly 25 to 35 percent cheaper on school fees and offers a younger but credible international bench, with the benefit of significantly better air quality and a denser, more walkable urban lifestyle.
Schools landscape side by side
Beijing's top tier sits in Shunyi, north of the city. International School of Beijing (ISB), Western Academy of Beijing (WAB), Dulwich College Beijing, Harrow Beijing, Keystone Academy (in Chaoyang) and Yew Chung International School form the core bench. ISB and WAB are the diplomatic and corporate defaults, both running the full IB continuum. Waiting lists tighten in Years 1, 6 and 11; apply at least a full term ahead.
Seoul's market is led by Seoul Foreign School (the oldest international school in Korea, 1912), Seoul International School (SIS), Korea International School (KIS), Dwight School Seoul, Yongsan International School of Seoul (YISS) and the British International School Seoul. Some Seoul schools cap enrolment by passport (the foreigner-only schools) which can simplify or complicate admissions. See our Beijing city guide and Seoul city guide for current admission notes.
Not sure which city fits your family?
Take the 5 minute school finder quiz, then run the cost calculator for both cities. You get shortlisted schools plus a side by side relocation budget in under ten minutes.
Fees and value for money
International School of Beijing publishes 2026 to 2027 fees of CNY 245,000 in lower primary up to CNY 360,000 in IB Diploma (USD 34,000 to USD 50,000). WAB runs CNY 235,000 to CNY 340,000 across the year groups. Dulwich Beijing and Harrow Beijing sit between CNY 220,000 and CNY 310,000. Add 15 to 25 percent for capital levies, school bus and lunch. Most relocating families budget USD 38,000 to USD 55,000 per child all in.
Seoul Foreign School publishes 2025 to 2026 fees of KRW 30M in lower primary up to KRW 41M in IB Diploma (roughly USD 22,000 to USD 30,000). SIS and KIS run KRW 28M to KRW 38M. YISS and Dwight Seoul sit between KRW 28M and KRW 36M. Add KRW 3M to 5M for capital and exam levies. Most relocating families budget USD 28,000 to USD 36,000 per child all in. Use our school fees explorer for live comparisons.
Curriculum availability
Beijing is dominated by IB and American curricula at the top end, with British IGCSE and A Level at Dulwich and Harrow, and Chinese national curriculum at the local-mix schools. Seoul runs a similar mix, with the IB Diploma at SIS, KIS and Dwight, American AP at SFS and YISS, and British IGCSE and A Level at BIS Seoul. For deep dives see the IB hub, British curriculum hub and American curriculum hub.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Beijing, international school families cluster in Shunyi (Capital Paradise, Beijing Riviera, River Garden) for ISB and WAB, and in Chaoyang (CBD, Sanlitun, Lido) for shorter office commutes. A 4-bedroom villa in Capital Paradise runs CNY 45,000 to CNY 75,000 per month. In Seoul, families pick Yongsan-gu (Itaewon, Hannam-dong) and Seongbuk-gu (Pyeongchang-dong, Seongbuk-dong) for SFS and SIS, and Gangnam-gu for KIS. A 4-bedroom apartment in Hannam runs KRW 8M to KRW 16M per month.
Lifestyle and climate
Beijing is a vast city with a dry continental climate, harsh winters, dusty springs and a still-monitored air quality picture, although significantly improved since 2018. The cultural calendar is rich (Forbidden City, hutongs, art districts) and regional flights are excellent. Seoul is denser, greener, and significantly more walkable, with one of the world's best public transport systems, four real seasons, mountains within the city limits, and a K-culture lifestyle that families consistently rate highly.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Beijing if your role demands a senior China posting, your child's school fees are covered in package, and you value the deeper IB and American school bench. Choose Seoul if cost matters, you value air quality, urban density and K-culture, and you can absorb the steeper Korean language barrier in daily life. Run both cities through the cost calculator before committing. The five year delta typically runs USD 90,000 to USD 150,000 in Seoul's favour.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beijing or Seoul cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Seoul is moderately cheaper across school fees, although housing in Hannam-dong sits above Beijing's Shunyi compounds. The combined family budget runs about 15 to 25 percent lower in Seoul once school fees, housing and groceries are added up.
Which city has better international schools?
Beijing has the deeper IB and American bench (ISB, WAB) with longer senior pathway track records. Seoul's Tier 1 (SFS, SIS, KIS, Dwight) is credible and stable, but the senior cohort depth is slightly thinner.
Is air quality still a problem in Beijing?
It has improved significantly since the 2014 to 2018 peak, but bad days still occur in winter. Most international families keep purifiers running and check AQI before outdoor sport. Seoul's air quality is consistently better, although spring dust days do happen.
Is the family visa easier in Beijing or Seoul?
Seoul is administratively faster. Korea's E-7 and D-8 visas with the F-3 family dependant route are well-documented. China's Z visa requires apostilled documents, a notarised marriage certificate and a health check, but employers typically manage the full process.
Where do most international families live in each city?
Beijing families cluster in Shunyi (Capital Paradise, Beijing Riviera, River Garden) and Chaoyang (Lido, Sanlitun). Seoul families pick Yongsan (Hannam, Itaewon), Seongbuk and Gangnam.
