Cost of living in South Korea compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 61% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 61% more expensive than in China | ||||
| South Korea | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩9,958 (52元) | 41元 | + 26% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩7,906 (41元) | 38元 | + 8% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩6,314 (33元) | 15元 | + 125% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,847 (15元) | 14元 | + 6% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩6,150 (32元) | 16元 | + 105% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩5,177 (27元) | 10元 | + 159% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩12,273 (64元) | 50元 | + 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩9,493 (50元) | 16元 | + 206% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩5,179 (27元) | 6元 | + 319% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,372 (12元) | 7元 | + 85% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩18,664 (98元) | 89元 | + 10% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩2,564 (13元) | 8元 | + 67% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩2,703 (14元) | 13元 | + 13% | |
| Housing | + 27% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 27% more expensive than in China | ||||
| South Korea | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩2,864,940 (14,998元) | 11,256元 | + 33% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩1,649,060 (8,633元) | 5,248元 | + 65% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩255,507 (1,338元) | 450元 | + 197% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩1,187,840 (6,218元) | 6,564元 | - 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩659,471 (3,452元) | 3,518元 | - 2% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩95,864 (502元) | 296元 | + 70% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩18,027 (94元) | 100元 | - 5% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩316,746 (1,658元) | 1,460元 | + 14% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩104,002 (544元) | 553元 | - 2% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩8,343 (44元) | 43元 | + 2% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩15,282 (80元) | 50元 | + 61% | |
| Clothes | - 10% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 10% cheaper than in China | ||||
| South Korea | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩74,674 (391元) | 418元 | - 6% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩53,204 (279元) | 302元 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩84,182 (441元) | 553元 | - 20% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩113,128 (592元) | 705元 | - 16% | |
| Transportation | + 26% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 26% more expensive than in China | ||||
| South Korea | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩31,956,000 (167,289元) | 137,169元 | + 22% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,605 (8元) | 8元 | + 12% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩60,206 (315元) | 228元 | + 38% | |
| Personal Care | + 38% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 38% more expensive than in China | ||||
| South Korea | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩4,412 (23元) | 45元 | - 48% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩6,301 (33元) | 59元 | - 44% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩200,000 (1,047元) | 114元 | + 820% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩13,562 (71元) | 67元 | + 6% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩3,982 (21元) | 57元 | - 63% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩5,810 (30元) | 25元 | + 22% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩5,866 (31元) | 6元 | + 398% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩1,962 (10元) | 15元 | - 33% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩30,786 (161元) | 64元 | + 150% | |
| Entertainment | + 299% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 299% more expensive than in China | ||||
| South Korea | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩26,338 (138元) | 169元 | - 19% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩26,588 (139元) | 100元 | + 40% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩119,071 (623元) | 1,179元 | - 47% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩69,831 (366元) | 320元 | + 14% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩9,901 (52元) | 81元 | - 36% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩5,463 (29元) | 28元 | + 4% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩4,770 (25元) | 19元 | + 31% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩572,548 (2,997元) | 3,680元 | - 19% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩3,515 (18元) | 0.34元 | + 5393% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩59,371 (311元) | 394元 | - 21% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,514 (24元) | 25元 | - 5% | |
| TOTAL | + 76% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 15, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.00523
CNY
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 5,929 prices entered by 262 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 76% more expensive than in China
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