Cost of living in Seoul, South Korea vs Newark, New Jersey, United States
Currency:
Food | + 10% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Seoul (South Korea) is 10% more expensive than in Newark, New Jersey (United States) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩9,243 ($8) | $15 | - 46% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩6,560 ($5.85) | $9 | - 35% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩5,477 ($4.89) | $4.38 | + 12% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,331 ($2.08) | $1.04 | + 101% | |
12 eggs, large | ₩4,174 ($3.72) | $3.13 | + 19% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩6,265 ($5.59) | $3.28 | + 70% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩12,999 ($12) | $5.24 | + 121% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩6,773 ($6) | $3.10 | + 95% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩4,083 ($3.64) | $1.07 | + 241% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,397 ($2.14) | $3.23 | - 34% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩26,814 ($24) | $14 | + 69% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | ₩2,646 ($2.36) | $1.98 | + 19% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩3,410 ($3.04) | $2.08 | + 46% | |
Housing | - 25% | |||
Housing in Seoul (South Korea) is 25% cheaper than in Newark, New Jersey (United States) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩2,053,430 ($1,832) | $2,036 | - 10% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩1,375,620 ($1,227) | $1,507 | - 19% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩298,484 ($266) | $185 | + 44% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩1,285,910 ($1,147) | $1,512 | - 24% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩755,496 ($674) | $1,164 | - 42% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩109,270 ($97) | $132 | - 26% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩30,092 ($27) | $67 | - 60% | |
40” flat screen tv | ₩362,068 ($323) | $402 | - 20% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩104,479 ($93) | $100 | - 7% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩9,942 ($9) | $16 | - 45% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩12,811 ($11) | $16 | - 30% | |
Clothes | + 44% | |||
Clothes in Seoul (South Korea) is 44% more expensive than in Newark, New Jersey (United States) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩72,873 ($65) | $45 | + 44% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩55,608 ($50) | $34 | + 47% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩105,719 ($94) | $79 | + 19% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩168,969 ($151) | $97 | + 56% | |
Transportation | - 7% | |||
Transportation in Seoul (South Korea) is 7% cheaper than in Newark, New Jersey (United States) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩29,775,700 ($26,567) | $22,280 | + 19% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,456 ($1.30) | $0.64 | + 102% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | ₩79,324 ($71) | $83 | - 15% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ₩14,701 ($13) | $32 | - 60% | |
Personal Care | - 31% | |||
Personal Care in Seoul (South Korea) is 31% cheaper than in Newark, New Jersey (United States) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩6,804 ($6) | $11 | - 43% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩6,501 ($5.80) | $22 | - 74% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩28,310 ($25) | $101 | - 75% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩16,300 ($15) | $15 | - 1% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩8,888 ($8) | $3.49 | + 127% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩8,606 ($8) | $7 | + 16% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩2,941 ($2.62) | $5.32 | - 51% | |
Tube of toothpaste | ₩2,602 ($2.32) | $2.27 | + 2% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩16,329 ($15) | $25 | - 41% | |
Entertainment | - 8% | |||
Entertainment in Seoul (South Korea) is 8% cheaper than in Newark, New Jersey (United States) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩31,888 ($28) | $52 | - 45% | |
2 tickets to the movies | ₩21,367 ($19) | $27 | - 30% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩177,731 ($159) | $168 | - 6% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩63,605 ($57) | $65 | - 13% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩11,421 ($10) | $10 | + 1% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩4,689 ($4.18) | $4.12 | + 2% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩5,102 ($4.55) | $5.24 | - 13% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩595,350 ($531) | $430 | + 23% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩157 ($0.14) | $0.10 | + 43% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩65,757 ($59) | $33 | + 80% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,586 ($4.09) | $9 | - 56% | |
TOTAL | - 10% |

These prices were last updated on February 26, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00089
USD
/
KRW
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Cost of living in Seoul (South Korea) is 10% cheaper than in Newark, New Jersey (United States)
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $6,100 in Newark, New Jersey you would need to make just about $5,469 (₩6,129,049) in Seoul.
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