Cost of living in South Korea compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 57% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 57% more expensive than in China | ||||
| South Korea | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩9,112 (48元) | 43元 | + 11% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩6,337 (33元) | 37元 | - 10% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩5,987 (32元) | 17元 | + 87% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,684 (14元) | 14元 | - 1% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩5,919 (31元) | 16元 | + 89% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩7,571 (40元) | 9元 | + 354% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩15,097 (80元) | 48元 | + 65% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩8,246 (43元) | 13元 | + 238% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩3,232 (17元) | 6元 | + 181% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,750 (14元) | 7元 | + 116% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩21,608 (114元) | 97元 | + 17% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩3,192 (17元) | 9元 | + 81% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩3,056 (16元) | 13元 | + 22% | |
| Housing | + 12% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 12% more expensive than in China | ||||
| South Korea | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩2,924,960 (15,409元) | 13,898元 | + 11% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩1,518,680 (8,000元) | 8,379元 | - 5% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩404,245 (2,130元) | 462元 | + 361% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩1,170,520 (6,166元) | 6,525元 | - 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩778,808 (4,103元) | 4,376元 | - 6% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩86,783 (457元) | 516元 | - 11% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩28,579 (151元) | 140元 | + 7% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩312,531 (1,646元) | 1,829元 | - 10% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩89,516 (472元) | 546元 | - 14% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩13,315 (70元) | 50元 | + 41% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩18,786 (99元) | 66元 | + 49% | |
| Clothes | - 15% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 15% cheaper than in China | ||||
| South Korea | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩69,705 (367元) | 511元 | - 28% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩52,630 (277元) | 288元 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩89,867 (473元) | 654元 | - 28% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩127,854 (674元) | 844元 | - 20% | |
| Transportation | + 31% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 31% more expensive than in China | ||||
| South Korea | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩34,648,000 (182,527元) | 148,501元 | + 23% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,700 (9元) | 8元 | + 9% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩59,034 (311元) | 206元 | + 51% | |
| 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) | ₩16,011 (84元) | 28元 | + 198% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩4,500 (24元) | 27元 | - 12% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩20,000 (105元) | 386元 | - 73% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩21,034 (111元) | 30元 | + 268% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩10,694 (56元) | 19元 | + 191% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩5,744 (30元) | 44元 | - 30% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩5,884 (31元) | 21元 | + 47% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩3,228 (17元) | 16元 | + 7% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩17,797 (94元) | 82元 | + 14% | |
| Entertainment | + 11% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 11% more expensive than in China | ||||
| South Korea | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩29,483 (155元) | 260元 | - 40% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩23,582 (124元) | 122元 | + 2% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩273,150 (1,439元) | 417元 | + 245% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩65,687 (346元) | 319元 | + 8% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩40,981 (216元) | 90元 | + 140% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩6,037 (32元) | 31元 | + 2% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩4,008 (21元) | 19元 | + 14% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩688,756 (3,628元) | 2,968元 | + 22% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩150 (0.79元) | 0.24元 | + 224% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩68,568 (361元) | 410元 | - 12% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,500 (24元) | 38元 | - 37% | |
| TOTAL | + 22% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 19, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00527
CNY
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,627 prices entered by 192 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 22% more expensive than in China
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