Cost of living in South Korea compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 74% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 74% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩9,333 (54元) | 45元 | + 19% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩6,509 (38元) | 34元 | + 10% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩6,201 (36元) | 15元 | + 131% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,610 (15元) | 15元 | - 1% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩3,973 (23元) | 13元 | + 71% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩6,606 (38元) | 8元 | + 370% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩10,909 (63元) | 59元 | + 7% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩8,939 (52元) | 15元 | + 244% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩5,079 (29元) | 6.00元 | + 388% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,476 (14元) | 5.17元 | + 176% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩25,498 (147元) | 112元 | + 32% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩2,754 (16元) | 8元 | + 98% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩3,148 (18元) | 14元 | + 31% | |
| Housing | + 20% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 20% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩1,495,100 (8,622元) | 9,398元 | - 8% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩1,111,570 (6,410元) | 4,943元 | + 30% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩252,074 (1,454元) | 431元 | + 237% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩634,731 (3,660元) | 5,740元 | - 36% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩569,700 (3,285元) | 2,997元 | + 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩93,201 (537元) | 285元 | + 88% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩30,841 (178元) | 93元 | + 90% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩512,722 (2,957元) | 2,464元 | + 20% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩113,954 (657元) | 561元 | + 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩10,470 (60元) | 38元 | + 58% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩19,321 (111元) | 47元 | + 135% | |
| Clothes | + 22% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 22% more expensive than in China | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩69,249 (399元) | 481元 | - 17% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩58,737 (339元) | 250元 | + 35% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩110,750 (639元) | 647元 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩193,166 (1,114元) | 620元 | + 80% | |
| Transportation | + 83% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 83% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩35,224,500 (203,124元) | 134,340元 | + 51% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,474 (9元) | 7元 | + 21% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩70,368 (406元) | 149元 | + 173% | |
| Personal Care | + 13% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 13% more expensive than in China | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩5,944 (34元) | 37元 | - 7% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩7,390 (43元) | 45元 | - 6% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩20,000 (115元) | 347元 | - 67% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩18,944 (109元) | 62元 | + 75% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩8,772 (51元) | 47元 | + 7% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩10,077 (58元) | 31元 | + 87% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩3,569 (21元) | 8元 | + 148% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩2,422 (14元) | 12元 | + 15% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩13,449 (78元) | 71元 | + 10% | |
| Entertainment | + 3% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is about the same as in China | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩30,440 (176元) | 177元 | - 1% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩21,000 (121元) | 100元 | + 21% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩109,875 (634元) | 1,029元 | - 38% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩61,177 (353元) | 395元 | - 11% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩12,044 (69元) | 68元 | + 2% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩4,823 (28元) | 33元 | - 15% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩5,159 (30元) | 31元 | - 3% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩571,356 (3,295元) | 3,256元 | + 1% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩146 (0.84元) | 0.31元 | + 172% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩59,864 (345元) | 335元 | + 3% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,578 (26元) | 22元 | + 20% | |
| TOTAL | + 39% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 26, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.00577
CNY
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,801 prices entered by 497 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 39% more expensive than in China
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