Cost of living in South Korea compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 68% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 68% more expensive than in China | ||||
| South Korea | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩9,728 (53元) | 46元 | + 15% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩7,824 (43元) | 40元 | + 8% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩7,138 (39元) | 16元 | + 146% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,881 (16元) | 18元 | - 13% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩6,434 (35元) | 19元 | + 88% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩8,039 (44元) | 11元 | + 306% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩7,984 (44元) | 63元 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩8,424 (46元) | 15元 | + 198% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩4,900 (27元) | 6元 | + 323% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,924 (16元) | 7元 | + 119% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩20,791 (114元) | 118元 | - 3% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩3,925 (22元) | 8元 | + 155% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩4,099 (22元) | 16元 | + 37% | |
| Housing | + 25% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 25% more expensive than in China | ||||
| South Korea | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩3,727,990 (20,446元) | 15,059元 | + 36% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩2,236,600 (12,267元) | 9,006元 | + 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩272,954 (1,497元) | 421元 | + 255% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩1,069,890 (5,868元) | 7,547元 | - 22% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩733,814 (4,025元) | 4,347元 | - 7% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩120,000 (658元) | 262元 | + 151% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩30,234 (166元) | 115元 | + 44% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩219,090 (1,202元) | 1,143元 | + 5% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩100,000 (548元) | 589元 | - 7% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩16,029 (88元) | 39元 | + 128% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩14,433 (79元) | 51元 | + 56% | |
| Clothes | + 10% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 10% more expensive than in China | ||||
| South Korea | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩82,132 (450元) | 529元 | - 15% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩61,053 (335元) | 248元 | + 35% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩94,430 (518元) | 626元 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩148,450 (814元) | 828元 | - 2% | |
| Transportation | + 38% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 38% more expensive than in China | ||||
| South Korea | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩41,461,500 (227,394元) | 161,247元 | + 41% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,846 (10元) | 9元 | + 18% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩56,684 (311元) | 204元 | + 53% | |
| Personal Care | + 64% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 64% more expensive than in China | ||||
| South Korea | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩7,985 (44元) | 39元 | + 12% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩12,000 (66元) | 27元 | + 145% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩42,086 (231元) | 391元 | - 41% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩21,034 (115元) | 53元 | + 119% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩15,000 (82元) | 33元 | + 148% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩9,644 (53元) | 34元 | + 54% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩3,593 (20元) | 13元 | + 49% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩8,235 (45元) | 15元 | + 207% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩12,817 (70元) | 74元 | - 5% | |
| Entertainment | + 21% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 21% more expensive than in China | ||||
| South Korea | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩32,969 (181元) | 265元 | - 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩28,078 (154元) | 110元 | + 40% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩270,239 (1,482元) | 1,294元 | + 14% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩67,904 (372元) | 348元 | + 7% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩15,654 (86元) | 79元 | + 9% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩5,405 (30元) | 29元 | + 1% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩4,618 (25元) | 18元 | + 41% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩780,501 (4,281元) | 3,321元 | + 29% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩207 (1.14元) | 0.20元 | + 468% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩84,504 (463元) | 410元 | + 13% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,500 (25元) | 24元 | + 2% | |
| TOTAL | + 37% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 07, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00548
CNY
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,635 prices entered by 215 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 37% more expensive than in China
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