At a glance
| Factor | Seoul | Bangalore |
|---|---|---|
| Senior school fees (Years 10 to 13) | KRW 28,000,000 to 40,000,000 (USD 20,500 to 29,500) at SFS, SIS, YISS and Chadwick | INR 12,00,000 to 18,00,000 (USD 14,400 to 21,600) at Indus, Stonehill and TISB at IB Diploma |
| Dominant curricula | American, IB, British (limited) | IB, Cambridge (IGCSE, A Level), CBSE, ICSE |
| Cost of living (Numbeo, May 2026) | Seoul and Bangalore sit at almost identical levels on the Numbeo cost of living index (May 2026). | |
| Family visa | F-3 dependant visa attached to E-series work permits, D-7 intra-company transferee | Employment visa with dependant X-2, Person of Indian Origin status |
| Expat share of population | Around 3 percent of Seoul's metro population is foreign, concentrated in Yongsan-gu, Gangnam-gu and Seongnam-Pangyo. | Less than 1 percent of metro population is foreign, but a vast Indian-passport diaspora returner community drives demand for IB schools. |
| Climate | Four sharp seasons, minus 10 to 30 degrees, with biting winters and humid summers. | Garden City climate, 15 to 33 degrees year round, monsoon June to September, no extremes. |
Seoul and Bangalore sit in different leagues for relocating families. Seoul is ultra-safe, technologically dense Asian capital with American and IB premium schools. Bangalore is India's IB capital with stretchy salaries, full domestic support and a tech-heavy expat scene. Both serve the IB Diploma at the senior end, which keeps university choice open in the UK, US and Asia.
Schools landscape side by side
Seoul's international school market is anchored by Seoul Foreign School (SFS), Seoul International School (SIS), Yongsan International School of Seoul (YISS), Chadwick International (Songdo). Seoul leans heavily American (SFS, SIS, KIS, YISS) with strong IB representation through Dwight Seoul, Chadwick Songdo and KIS Pangyo. British provision is concentrated at the British School Seoul (Dulwich's former campus). See the Seoul schools hub for a deeper read on each campus.
Bangalore's flagship international schools include Stonehill International School, Indus International School, The International School Bangalore (TISB), Canadian International School (CIS). Bangalore is India's IB capital with full continuum schools at Stonehill, Indus, Canadian International School and Ebenezer International, plus Cambridge giants at TISB and Inventure. CBSE serves the strongest domestic mid-market. See the Bangalore schools hub for the same breakdown.
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
Seoul: Seoul Foreign School (SFS) and Seoul International School (SIS) sit at KRW 33M to 40M for senior years. Chadwick International runs KRW 28M to 35M day. Dwight School Seoul (IB) sits KRW 22M to 30M. First-year extras add KRW 5M to 12M. Most expat families on a corporate package land at the premium end of the Seoul range; those who relocate independently often pick the value tier. See the fees explorer for cross-city distribution.
Bangalore: Indus International School climbs to INR 14,00,000 at IBDP day. Stonehill International School runs INR 6,00,000 at Early Childhood up to INR 15,00,000 at IBDP. TISB and Inventure cluster in INR 4,00,000 to 10,00,000. Boarding adds INR 4,00,000 to 6,00,000. Seoul and Bangalore sit at almost identical levels on the Numbeo cost of living index (May 2026). The headline question is total cost of relocation rather than tuition in isolation; school fees are usually only 30 to 50 percent of the package. Run the cost calculator for a side by side budget.
Curriculum availability
Seoul delivers American, IB, British (limited). Bangalore delivers IB, Cambridge (IGCSE, A Level), CBSE, ICSE. The IB Diploma remains the safest portable credential in either city, particularly for families who might move again. Seoul and Bangalore both offer the full IB Diploma route at their flagship schools. See the IB hub for cross-city analysis.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Seoul, families cluster in Hannam-dong and Itaewon for SFS and YISS access, Gangnam-gu for SIS commute, Seongdong and Yongsan for international primary clusters, and Songdo (Incheon) for Chadwick.
In Bangalore, families pick Whitefield for Inventure and TISB, Sarjapur Road for Indus and Greenwood High, Hebbal-Yelahanka for Stonehill and CIS, and Indiranagar for central living near older British and American schools.
Lifestyle and climate
Seoul: Four sharp seasons, minus 10 to 30 degrees, with biting winters and humid summers. Famously safe, fast public transport, world-class K-pop and gaming culture, mountains 20 minutes from the city. Academic intensity around Korean peers can be high.
Bangalore: Garden City climate, 15 to 33 degrees year round, monsoon June to September, no extremes. Tech-driven, vegetarian-friendly, with craft beer scenes, Western Ghats weekend trips and easy access to Goa. Traffic is the standing complaint.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Seoul if you want world-class urban infrastructure, top-tier American and IB schools and one of the safest big cities globally. SFS, SIS, Chadwick and Dwight are competitive entry tickets; the F-3 dependant visa is straightforward and the city's tech and entertainment sectors are unmatched. Korean academic intensity around your child's friend group is the trade-off.
Choose Bangalore if you want sharply lower fees, stretchier salaries and India's deepest IB market. Stonehill, Indus, TISB and CIS form a competitive top tier at half Seoul's price point. Domestic help is affordable and the city's tech ecosystem keeps a steady flow of international families coming. Traffic and infrastructure are the standing complaints.
Frequently asked questions
Is Seoul or Bangalore cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Seoul and Bangalore sit at almost identical levels on the Numbeo cost of living index (May 2026). On schooling, Seoul runs KRW 28,000,000 to 40,000,000 (USD 20,500 to 29,500) at SFS, SIS, YISS and Chadwick at the senior end, while Bangalore runs INR 12,00,000 to 18,00,000 (USD 14,400 to 21,600) at Indus, Stonehill and TISB at IB Diploma.
Which city has stronger international schools, Seoul or Bangalore?
Both cities deliver IB and other international pathways credibly. Seoul's flagships include Seoul Foreign School (SFS), Seoul International School (SIS), Yongsan International School of Seoul (YISS), Chadwick International (Songdo). Bangalore's flagships include Stonehill International School, Indus International School, The International School Bangalore (TISB), Canadian International School (CIS). Quality at the top of each market is broadly comparable; depth and curriculum mix are the real differences.
Is the family visa easier in Seoul or Bangalore?
In Seoul: Foreign passport-holding children must enrol in licensed foreign schools; Korean nationals face restrictions on enrolling in foreign schools without overseas residency. The F-3 dependant visa follows the working spouse's E-series permit and processes in four to eight weeks. In Bangalore: Employees arrive on an employment visa tied to a sponsor company, with the X-2 dependant visa for spouse and minor children. OCI cardholders and PIO holders move with full residency rights. Processing typically takes four to eight weeks.
How does the climate compare for families?
Seoul has four sharp seasons with cold winters and humid summers. Bangalore has mild Garden City climate with monsoon rains.
Where do most expat families live in Seoul and Bangalore?
In Seoul, families cluster in Hannam-dong, Gangnam and Songdo. In Bangalore, families pick Whitefield, Sarjapur and Hebbal.
