Cost of living in Busan, South Korea vs San Jose, Costa Rica, Costa Rica
Currency:
Food | + 38% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Busan (South Korea) is 38% more expensive than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩7,860 (₡ 4,274) | ₡ 5,988 | - 29% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩6,177 (₡ 3,359) | ₡ 3,952 | - 15% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩6,352 (₡ 3,454) | ₡ 1,789 | + 93% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,439 (₡ 1,327) | ₡ 819 | + 62% | |
12 eggs, large | ₩4,596 (₡ 2,499) | ₡ 1,738 | + 44% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩6,406 (₡ 3,483) | ₡ 1,034 | + 237% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩12,797 (₡ 6,959) | ₡ 2,465 | + 182% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩5,944 (₡ 3,232) | ₡ 1,964 | + 65% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩4,514 (₡ 2,455) | ₡ 914 | + 169% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,378 (₡ 1,293) | ₡ 1,079 | + 20% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩15,917 (₡ 8,656) | ₡ 9,802 | - 12% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | ₩2,804 (₡ 1,525) | ₡ 1,538 | - 1% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩2,332 (₡ 1,268) | ₡ 638 | + 99% | |
Housing | + 19% | |||
Housing in Busan (South Korea) is 19% more expensive than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩1,127,110 (₡ 612,924) | ₡ 576,403 | + 6% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩804,952 (₡ 437,734) | ₡ 289,321 | + 51% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩168,017 (₡ 91,368) | ₡ 37,090 | + 146% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩613,400 (₡ 333,568) | ₡ 474,295 | - 30% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩426,256 (₡ 231,799) | ₡ 235,904 | - 2% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩93,974 (₡ 51,103) | ₡ 26,362 | + 94% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩25,284 (₡ 13,749) | ₡ 16,436 | - 16% | |
40” flat screen tv | ₩617,148 (₡ 335,606) | ₡ 189,361 | + 77% | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩87,842 (₡ 47,768) | ₡ 61,347 | - 22% | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩11,860 (₡ 6,449) | ₡ 4,675 | + 38% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩24,064 (₡ 13,086) | ₡ 2,259 | + 479% | |
Clothes | + 27% | |||
Clothes in Busan (South Korea) is 27% more expensive than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩86,350 (₡ 46,957) | ₡ 36,075 | + 30% | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩51,070 (₡ 27,772) | ₡ 20,153 | + 38% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩93,995 (₡ 51,115) | ₡ 53,711 | - 5% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩95,368 (₡ 51,861) | ₡ 48,936 | + 6% | |
Transportation | + 41% | |||
Transportation in Busan (South Korea) is 41% more expensive than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩35,131,600 (₡ 19,104,617) | ₡ 12,442,400 | + 54% | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,530 (₡ 832) | ₡ 591 | + 41% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | ₩55,734 (₡ 30,308) | ₡ 23,064 | + 31% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ₩18,307 (₡ 9,955) | ₡ 6,120 | + 63% | |
Personal Care | - 11% | |||
Personal Care in Busan (South Korea) is 11% cheaper than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩4,590 (₡ 2,496) | ₡ 5,464 | - 54% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩8,738 (₡ 4,752) | ₡ 9,314 | - 49% | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩40,000 (₡ 21,752) | ₡ 46,837 | - 54% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩15,573 (₡ 8,468) | ₡ 3,171 | + 167% | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩8,876 (₡ 4,827) | ₡ 2,698 | + 79% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩5,390 (₡ 2,931) | ₡ 3,565 | - 18% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩2,282 (₡ 1,241) | ₡ 1,593 | - 22% | |
Tube of toothpaste | ₩1,859 (₡ 1,011) | ₡ 1,346 | - 25% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩16,856 (₡ 9,166) | ₡ 7,525 | + 22% | |
Entertainment | + 30% | |||
Entertainment in Busan (South Korea) is 30% more expensive than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica) | ||||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩20,535 (₡ 11,167) | ₡ 12,943 | - 14% | |
2 tickets to the movies | ₩19,643 (₡ 10,682) | ₡ 5,909 | + 81% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩37,200 (₡ 20,229) | ₡ 23,454 | - 14% | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩43,542 (₡ 23,678) | ₡ 30,460 | - 22% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩11,577 (₡ 6,296) | ₡ 3,847 | + 64% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩5,525 (₡ 3,005) | ₡ 2,148 | + 40% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩4,000 (₡ 2,175) | ₡ 1,447 | + 50% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩745,935 (₡ 405,641) | ₡ 353,839 | + 15% | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩457 (₡ 249) | ₡ 47 | + 433% | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩58,837 (₡ 31,996) | ₡ 38,497 | - 17% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩3,893 (₡ 2,117) | ₡ 2,260 | - 6% | |
TOTAL | + 28% |

These prices were last updated on February 27, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.544
CRC
/
KRW
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Cost of living in Busan (South Korea) is 28% more expensive than in San Jose, Costa Rica (Costa Rica)
For example, you would need at least ₡ 2,396,456 (₩4,406,857) in Busan to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with ₡ 1,870,000 in San Jose, Costa Rica.
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