Cost of living comparison between Busan (South Korea) and Toronto (Canada)
| Food | 20% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Busan (South Korea) is 20% cheaper than in Toronto (Canada) | |||
| Daily menu in the business district | ₩11,375 (C$9.84) | C$15.03 | 35% |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₩5,600 (C$4.84) | C$7.41 | 35% |
| 1/2 Kg (1 lb.) of chicken breast | ₩6,500 (C$5.62) | C$6.74 | 17% |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩1,950 (C$1.69) | C$2.99 | 44% |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩2,500 (C$2.16) | C$3.17 | 32% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | - | C$3.33 | - |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩7,000 (C$6.06) | C$6.20 | 2% |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩3,000 (C$2.60) | C$3.11 | 17% |
| 2 kg (4,5 lb.) of potatoes | ₩6,000 (C$5.19) | C$3.82 | 36% |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) beer in the supermarket | ₩1,700 (C$1.47) | C$2.69 | 45% |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩25,000 (C$22) | C$16.60 | 30% |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₩2,250 (C$1.95) | C$2.09 | 7% |
| bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩2,250 (C$1.95) | C$2.05 | 5% |
| Housing | 14% | ||
| Housing in Busan (South Korea) is 14% cheaper than in Toronto (Canada) | |||
| monthly rent for a 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished apartment in expensive area of the city | ₩1,625,000 (C$1,406) | C$1,774 | 21% |
| utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩225,000 (C$195) | C$151 | 29% |
| Internet 8MB (1 month) | ₩28,333 (C$25) | C$46 | 47% |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₩1,000,000 (C$865) | C$582 | 49% |
| Microwave, known brand, 800/900 Watt | - | C$130 | - |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | - | C$8.16 | - |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩30,000 (C$26) | C$20 | 28% |
| Clothes | 11% | ||
| Clothes in Busan (South Korea) is 11% more expensive than in Toronto (Canada) | |||
| 1 pair of Levis 501 | ₩99,333 (C$86) | C$59 | 46% |
| 1 summer dress in a chain store (Zara, H&M, ...) | ₩68,000 (C$59) | C$45 | 32% |
| 1 pair of Adidas trainers | ₩80,000 (C$69) | C$95 | 27% |
| 1 pair of average business shoes | ₩40,000 (C$35) | C$102 | 66% |
| Transportation | 40% | ||
| Transportation in Busan (South Korea) is 40% cheaper than in Toronto (Canada) | |||
| Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI 140 CV 6 vel. (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩34,000,000 (C$29,415) | C$25,053 | 17% |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,920 (C$1.66) | C$1.29 | 28% |
| monthly ticket public transport | ₩51,667 (C$45) | C$119 | 63% |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 Km. (5 miles) | - | C$25 | - |
| Personal Care | 49% | ||
| Personal Care in Busan (South Korea) is 49% cheaper than in Toronto (Canada) | |||
| medicine against cold for 6 days (Frenadol, Coldrex, ...) | ₩4,500 (C$3.89) | C$10.52 | 63% |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₩9,000 (C$7.79) | C$6.64 | 17% |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩1,700 (C$1.47) | C$3.81 | 61% |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩5,000 (C$4.33) | C$5.26 | 18% |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩2,250 (C$1.95) | C$2.79 | 30% |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩1,300 (C$1.12) | C$2.71 | 58% |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩12,000 (C$10.38) | C$20 | 49% |
| Entertainment | 44% | ||
| Entertainment in Busan (South Korea) is 44% cheaper than in Toronto (Canada) | |||
| basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩18,667 (C$16.15) | C$43 | 62% |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩14,200 (C$12.29) | C$26 | 52% |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩31,000 (C$27) | C$136 | 80% |
| dinner out for two in Italian restaurant with wine and dessert | ₩50,000 (C$43) | C$109 | 60% |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩8,500 (C$7.35) | C$8.95 | 18% |
| Capuccino in expat area of the city | ₩4,000 (C$3.46) | C$4.17 | 17% |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub | ₩3,833 (C$3.32) | C$5.90 | 44% |
| iPod nano 8GB (6th generation) | ₩170,000 (C$147) | C$157 | 6% |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | - | C$0.45 | - |
| 1 month of gym in business district | ₩78,333 (C$68) | C$66 | 2% |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarretes | ₩2,667 (C$2.31) | C$10.59 | 78% |
| TOTAL | 28% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 4,311 prices entered by 435 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 17, 2012.
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Cost of living in Busan (South Korea) is 28% cheaper than in Toronto (Canada)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require
C$3,600
in Toronto
you would need to make just about C$2,598
(₩3,003,136)
in Busan.