Cost of living in South Korea compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 64% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 64% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩9,411 (54元) | 54元 | + 0% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩6,661 (38元) | 36元 | + 6% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩5,558 (32元) | 15元 | + 107% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,243 (13元) | 14元 | - 8% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩4,906 (28元) | 14元 | + 98% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩6,379 (37元) | 9元 | + 330% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩13,015 (75元) | 56元 | + 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩5,944 (34元) | 12元 | + 180% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩3,678 (21元) | 6元 | + 228% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,166 (12元) | 6元 | + 102% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩22,522 (130元) | 108元 | + 20% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩2,819 (16元) | 9元 | + 78% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩2,980 (17元) | 10元 | + 75% | |
| Housing | + 44% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 44% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩1,839,660 (10,596元) | 7,480元 | + 42% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩1,187,480 (6,840元) | 4,546元 | + 50% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩250,846 (1,445元) | 406元 | + 256% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩1,200,300 (6,913元) | 6,893元 | + 0% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩587,302 (3,383元) | 3,954元 | - 14% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩81,680 (470元) | 261元 | + 80% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩41,339 (238元) | 84元 | + 184% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩352,573 (2,031元) | 2,223元 | - 9% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩113,587 (654元) | 622元 | + 5% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩13,071 (75元) | 47元 | + 62% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩13,039 (75元) | 44元 | + 71% | |
| Clothes | + 19% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 19% more expensive than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩41,844 (241元) | 359元 | - 33% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩52,250 (301元) | 227元 | + 33% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩95,365 (549元) | 569元 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩173,054 (997元) | 513元 | + 94% | |
| Transportation | + 72% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 72% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩30,595,300 (176,219元) | 160,747元 | + 10% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,439 (8元) | 6元 | + 32% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩80,931 (466元) | 177元 | + 164% | |
| Personal Care | + 35% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 35% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩6,377 (37元) | 29元 | + 27% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩7,390 (43元) | 35元 | + 22% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩96,192 (554元) | 441元 | + 26% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩21,662 (125元) | 31元 | + 299% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩8,130 (47元) | 38元 | + 25% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩8,324 (48元) | 33元 | + 46% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩1,815 (10元) | 9元 | + 13% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩2,204 (13元) | 11元 | + 20% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩17,384 (100元) | 84元 | + 19% | |
| Entertainment | + 83% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 83% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩33,460 (193元) | 201元 | - 4% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩20,876 (120元) | 94元 | + 29% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩165,595 (954元) | 978元 | - 2% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩67,775 (390元) | 413元 | - 5% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩10,109 (58元) | 70元 | - 16% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩5,000 (29元) | 34元 | - 15% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩5,279 (30元) | 31元 | - 3% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩669,053 (3,854元) | 3,170元 | + 22% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩1,500 (9元) | 0.55元 | + 1478% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩61,508 (354元) | 419元 | - 16% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,500 (26元) | 22元 | + 17% | |
| TOTAL | + 58% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 28, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00576
CNY
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,305 prices entered by 289 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 58% more expensive than in China
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