Cost of living in Busan (South Korea) is 23% cheaper than in Seoul (South Korea)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 328 prices entered by 73 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 20% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Busan (South Korea) is 20% cheaper than in Seoul (South Korea) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Busan | Seoul | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩7,935 | ₩9,831 | - 19% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩6,616 | ₩7,898 | - 16% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩6,774 | ₩6,830 | - 1% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,431 | ₩2,887 | - 16% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩4,596 | ₩6,431 | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩6,406 | ₩8,120 | - 21% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩12,797 | ₩7,646 | + 67% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩5,944 | ₩8,423 | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩4,514 | ₩4,872 | - 7% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,378 | ₩2,927 | - 19% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩15,917 | ₩20,558 | - 23% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩2,724 | ₩3,389 | - 20% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩2,768 | ₩4,160 | - 33% | |
| Housing | - 50% | |||
| Housing in Busan (South Korea) is 50% cheaper than in Seoul (South Korea) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Busan | Seoul | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩1,127,110 | ₩3,748,000 | - 70% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩804,952 | ₩2,253,880 | - 64% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩168,017 | ₩246,721 | - 32% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩613,400 | ₩1,163,600 | - 47% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩437,056 | ₩787,452 | - 44% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩93,974 | ₩114,665 | - 18% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩25,284 | ₩31,294 | - 19% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩617,148 | ₩378,438 | + 63% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩87,842 | ₩100,183 | - 12% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩11,860 | ₩11,893 | - 0% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩24,064 | ₩14,266 | + 69% | |
| Clothes | - 10% | |||
| Clothes in Busan (South Korea) is 10% cheaper than in Seoul (South Korea) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Busan | Seoul | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩86,350 | ₩79,338 | + 9% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩51,070 | ₩58,578 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩93,995 | ₩89,660 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩95,497 | ₩144,451 | - 34% | |
| Transportation | - 5% | |||
| Transportation in Busan (South Korea) is 5% cheaper than in Seoul (South Korea) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Busan | Seoul | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩35,131,600 | ₩41,899,500 | - 16% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,602 | ₩1,882 | - 15% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩57,152 | ₩56,561 | + 1% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | ₩20,155 | ₩13,948 | + 45% | |
| Personal Care | - 18% | |||
| Personal Care in Busan (South Korea) is 18% cheaper than in Seoul (South Korea) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Busan | Seoul | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩5,409 | ₩5,748 | - 6% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩8,759 | ₩6,336 | + 38% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩36,417 | ₩46,951 | - 22% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩15,573 | ₩15,753 | - 1% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩8,876 | ₩10,736 | - 17% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩5,395 | ₩8,307 | - 35% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩2,282 | ₩3,094 | - 26% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩1,859 | ₩4,101 | - 55% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩15,265 | ₩18,393 | - 17% | |
| Entertainment | + 1% | |||
| Entertainment in Busan (South Korea) is about the same as in Seoul (South Korea) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Busan | Seoul | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩20,535 | ₩30,591 | - 33% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩21,187 | ₩28,080 | - 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩105,682 | ₩165,044 | - 36% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩39,176 | ₩68,068 | - 42% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩11,577 | ₩13,223 | - 12% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩5,525 | ₩5,405 | + 2% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩4,000 | ₩4,568 | - 12% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩774,736 | ₩631,358 | + 23% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩457 | ₩207 | + 121% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩58,837 | ₩72,194 | - 19% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,284 | ₩4,500 | - 5% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 23% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 328 prices entered by 73 different people.
These prices were last updated on March 30, 2023.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require ₩11,100,000 in Seoul you would need to make just about ₩8,586,526 in Busan.
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