China vs South Korea

China is cheaper: $1,100/mo against South Korea's $1,441/mo.

China is pricier than 15 of 22 Asian countries; South Korea is pricier than 17 of 22 Asian countries.

South Korea is safer: 4.1/5 against China's 3.3/5.

China is safer than 16 of 22 Asian countries; South Korea is safer than 18 of 22 Asian countries.

South Korea scores higher on mobility: 4.5/5 against China's 3.3/5.

China is easier to get around than 16 of 22 Asian countries; South Korea is easier to get around than 21 of 22 Asian countries.

South Korea scores higher on culture: 4.5/5 against China's 3.9/5.

China is richer in culture than 16 of 22 Asian countries; South Korea is richer in culture than 21 of 22 Asian countries.

China's passport reaches 51 destinations visa-free to South Korea's 123 — South Korea opens more doors without a visa.

Passport strength shifts over years of naturalisation, not months of planning, so it's a long-horizon footnote — not scored in the tally.

China is better connected: 755M passengers/yr against South Korea's 150M passengers/yr.

China is busier than 85 of 87 countries worldwide; South Korea is busier than 73 of 87 countries worldwide. China sees ~53 air passengers per 100 residents a year; South Korea sees ~3 air passengers per resident a year — a derived figure, not itself ranked.

China runs -10°C to 37°C for most people; South Korea runs -19°C to 35°C for most people.

Harbin runs colder, at -34°C. Depends on you — which range fits your tolerance is the real question here, not a score.