Cost of Living in South Korea
Summary of cost of living in South Korea:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are $3,513.1 (₩5,244,195.7), excluding rent.
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are $964.7 (₩1,440,115.5), excluding rent.
- Cost of living in South Korea is, on average, 15.2% lower than in United States.
- Rent in South Korea is, on average, 54.5% lower than in United States.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | ₩10,000.00 | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | ₩60,000.00 | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | ₩8,700.00 | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | ₩5,000.00 | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | ₩6,000.00 | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | ₩5,205.92 | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | ₩2,179.14 | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | ₩1,071.88 | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | ₩2,935.20 | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | ₩3,596.61 | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | ₩2,033.80 | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | ₩4,221.49 | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | ₩8,636.24 | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | ₩5,261.94 | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | ₩15,675.64 | |
| Apples (1 lb) | ₩5,032.61 | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | ₩2,085.88 | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | ₩3,844.54 | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | ₩3,712.50 | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | ₩2,354.43 | |
| Onions (1 lb) | ₩1,740.37 | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | ₩3,558.42 | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | ₩1,529.01 | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | ₩25,000.00 | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | ₩2,784.85 | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | ₩3,824.54 | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | ₩4,500.00 | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | ₩1,500.00 | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | ₩65,000.00 | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | ₩4,500.00 | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | ₩1,404.69 | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | ₩12,000.00 | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | ₩1,735.88 | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | ₩38,400,000.00 | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | ₩38,222,326.70 | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | ₩256,877.07 | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | ₩53,487.16 | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | ₩31,495.98 | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | ₩75,872.22 | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | ₩23,847.83 | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | ₩15,000.00 | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | ₩1,132,673.18 | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | ₩31,318,139.81 | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | ₩71,692.14 | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | ₩50,734.00 | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | ₩101,897.48 | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | ₩107,775.51 | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | ₩925,139.36 | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | ₩629,534.07 | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | ₩2,359,103.68 | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | ₩1,417,495.37 | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | ₩1,798,033.51 | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | ₩1,113,123.09 | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | ₩3,261,461.81 | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 4.06 | |
Prices in South Korea
This country had 2136 entries in the past 12 months by 222 different contributors.
Last update: 13 May 2026
Our data for each country are based on all entries from all cities in that country.
Last update: 13 May 2026
Our data for each country are based on all entries from all cities in that country.
Sources and References
Moving to South Korea? Explore:
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Salary Calculator:Got a job offer in South Korea? Estimate your take-home pay with our Salary Calculator for South Korea.
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This Page in Other Languages:
 DeutschLebenshaltungskosten in Südkorea
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 PortuguêsCusto de Vida na Coréia do Sul
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 ItalianoCosto della vita in Corea del Sud
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 FrançaisCoût de la vie en Corée du Sud
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 EspañolCoste de vida en Corea del Sur
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