- Cost of Living
- South Korea
- China
- Comparison
Cost of living in South Korea compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 67% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 67% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩8,985 (55元) | 53元 | + 4% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₩6,528 (40元) | 33元 | + 20% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩4,957 (30元) | 15元 | + 101% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,498 (15元) | 16元 | - 3% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩3,427 (21元) | 16元 | + 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩5,263 (32元) | 8元 | + 296% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩10,856 (67元) | 63元 | + 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩6,767 (42元) | 13元 | + 213% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩4,225 (26元) | 7元 | + 297% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,513 (15元) | 5.64元 | + 174% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩19,403 (119元) | 114元 | + 5% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₩2,739 (17元) | 8元 | + 114% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩3,350 (21元) | 12元 | + 67% | |
| Housing | + 22% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 22% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₩1,496,450 (9,188元) | 9,680元 | - 5% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₩1,108,410 (6,805元) | 4,478元 | + 52% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩148,919 (914元) | 425元 | + 115% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₩994,024 (6,103元) | 5,710元 | + 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₩612,536 (3,761元) | 3,523元 | + 7% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₩132,259 (812元) | 304元 | + 167% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₩25,690 (158元) | 88元 | + 80% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₩512,162 (3,144元) | 2,242元 | + 40% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩97,084 (596元) | 678元 | - 12% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩11,442 (70元) | 40元 | + 74% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩13,547 (83元) | 39元 | + 114% | |
| Clothes | + 13% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 13% more expensive than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₩83,855 (515元) | 554元 | - 7% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₩54,603 (335元) | 280元 | + 20% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩96,827 (594元) | 614元 | - 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩153,217 (941元) | 672元 | + 40% | |
| Transportation | + 71% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 71% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩30,660,700 (188,243元) | 145,666元 | + 29% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,556 (10元) | 7元 | + 31% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩63,764 (391元) | 154元 | + 155% | |
| Personal Care | + 10% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 10% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩5,647 (35元) | 26元 | + 34% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩7,057 (43元) | 32元 | + 35% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₩32,530 (200元) | 425元 | - 53% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₩10,272 (63元) | 30元 | + 113% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩8,076 (50元) | 37元 | + 34% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩7,730 (47元) | 38元 | + 26% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩3,061 (19元) | 10元 | + 92% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩2,686 (16元) | 14元 | + 16% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩18,295 (112元) | 59元 | + 89% | |
| Entertainment | + 29% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 29% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩30,601 (188元) | 159元 | + 18% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩20,654 (127元) | 86元 | + 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩118,894 (730元) | 723元 | + 1% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩60,511 (372元) | 375元 | - 1% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩9,150 (56元) | 60元 | - 6% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩4,929 (30元) | 34元 | - 11% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩4,728 (29元) | 34元 | - 15% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₩577,048 (3,543元) | 3,310元 | + 7% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩382 (2.34元) | 0.98元 | + 139% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩76,765 (471元) | 300元 | + 57% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,500 (28元) | 20元 | + 37% | |
| TOTAL | + 42% | |||
These prices were last updated on November 15, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.00614
CNY
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 5,439 prices entered by 835 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 42% more expensive than in China
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