Cost of living in Los Angeles, California (United States) is 51% more expensive than in Seoul (South Korea)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 5,642 prices entered by 205 different people.
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| Food | + 69% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Los Angeles, California (United States) is 69% more expensive than in Seoul (South Korea) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Los Angeles, California | Seoul | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $24 (₩33,496) | ₩9,944 | + 237% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $13 (₩17,685) | ₩7,912 | + 124% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $6 (₩8,621) | ₩6,316 | + 37% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.23 (₩1,679) | ₩2,835 | - 41% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $9 (₩11,717) | ₩6,201 | + 89% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.56 (₩6,242) | ₩5,172 | + 21% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (₩10,100) | ₩12,333 | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.42 (₩6,057) | ₩9,485 | - 36% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.78 (₩2,444) | ₩5,182 | - 53% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $6 (₩8,355) | ₩2,370 | + 253% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (₩20,899) | ₩18,664 | + 12% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $3.17 (₩4,344) | ₩2,564 | + 69% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.20 (₩4,383) | ₩2,667 | + 64% | |
| Housing | + 157% | |||
| Housing in Los Angeles, California (United States) is 157% more expensive than in Seoul (South Korea) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Los Angeles, California | Seoul | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,069 (₩5,574,998) | ₩2,864,800 | + 95% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,864 (₩3,922,975) | ₩1,649,080 | + 138% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $266 (₩363,764) | ₩255,507 | + 42% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,916 (₩3,994,856) | ₩1,187,670 | + 236% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,383 (₩3,264,796) | ₩659,393 | + 395% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $175 (₩239,321) | ₩96,138 | + 149% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $53 (₩72,917) | ₩17,985 | + 305% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $387 (₩530,247) | ₩315,648 | + 68% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $161 (₩220,269) | ₩103,973 | + 112% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $16 (₩22,150) | ₩8,344 | + 165% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $30 (₩41,158) | ₩15,229 | + 170% | |
| Clothes | + 27% | |||
| Clothes in Los Angeles, California (United States) is 27% more expensive than in Seoul (South Korea) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Los Angeles, California | Seoul | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $63 (₩86,956) | ₩74,590 | + 17% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $45 (₩61,595) | ₩53,204 | + 16% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $96 (₩131,058) | ₩84,182 | + 56% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $143 (₩196,444) | ₩113,128 | + 74% | |
| Transportation | + 29% | |||
| Transportation in Los Angeles, California (United States) is 29% more expensive than in Seoul (South Korea) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Los Angeles, California | Seoul | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,289 (₩37,384,429) | ₩31,924,100 | + 17% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.20 (₩1,637) | ₩1,606 | + 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $53 (₩73,021) | ₩60,266 | + 21% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $33 (₩44,534) | ₩11,206 | + 297% | |
| Personal Care | + 153% | |||
| Personal Care in Los Angeles, California (United States) is 153% more expensive than in Seoul (South Korea) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Los Angeles, California | Seoul | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $10 (₩13,555) | ₩4,401 | + 208% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $20 (₩27,244) | ₩6,289 | + 333% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $198 (₩270,710) | ₩51,550 | + 425% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 (₩11,637) | ₩13,547 | - 14% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $5.79 (₩7,939) | ₩3,979 | + 100% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $8 (₩11,026) | ₩5,808 | + 90% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.67 (₩7,767) | ₩5,903 | + 32% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.80 (₩3,837) | ₩1,962 | + 96% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $36 (₩48,787) | ₩30,864 | + 58% | |
| Entertainment | - 13% | |||
| Entertainment in Los Angeles, California (United States) is 13% cheaper than in Seoul (South Korea) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Los Angeles, California | Seoul | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $70 (₩95,605) | ₩26,270 | + 264% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $44 (₩59,720) | ₩26,540 | + 125% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $545 (₩746,517) | ₩120,158 | + 521% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $149 (₩203,592) | ₩69,992 | + 191% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $19 (₩26,491) | ₩9,839 | + 169% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $7 (₩10,247) | ₩5,454 | + 88% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $9 (₩11,947) | ₩4,774 | + 150% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $502 (₩688,371) | ₩571,114 | + 21% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $1.02 (₩1,403) | ₩3,594 | - 61% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $73 (₩100,055) | ₩59,260 | + 69% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $13 (₩18,275) | ₩4,514 | + 305% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 51% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 5,642 prices entered by 205 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 19, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1369.950
KRW
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least ₩12,144,139 ($8,865) in Los Angeles, California to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with ₩8,020,000 in Seoul.
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