Cost of living in South Korea compared to India
Currency:
| Food | + 112% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 112% more expensive than in India | ||||
| South Korea | India | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩9,765 (₨608) | ₨411 | + 48% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩7,842 (₨488) | ₨361 | + 35% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩6,173 (₨384) | ₨182 | + 111% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,807 (₨175) | ₨62 | + 181% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩5,741 (₨357) | ₨102 | + 252% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩4,811 (₨299) | ₨44 | + 587% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩12,501 (₨778) | ₨243 | + 221% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩9,424 (₨586) | ₨186 | + 216% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩5,136 (₨320) | ₨41 | + 689% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,193 (₨136) | ₨163 | - 16% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩17,855 (₨1,111) | ₨913 | + 22% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩2,567 (₨160) | ₨91 | + 75% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩2,396 (₨149) | ₨39 | + 283% | |
| Housing | + 170% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 170% more expensive than in India | ||||
| South Korea | India | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩2,774,520 (₨172,659) | ₨42,568 | + 306% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩1,871,850 (₨116,486) | ₨26,736 | + 336% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩253,476 (₨15,774) | ₨5,123 | + 208% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩1,187,220 (₨73,881) | ₨28,833 | + 156% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩668,010 (₨41,570) | ₨17,547 | + 137% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩129,315 (₨8,047) | ₨4,724 | + 70% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩14,224 (₨885) | ₨652 | + 36% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩329,300 (₨20,492) | ₨26,371 | - 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩103,135 (₨6,418) | ₨11,993 | - 46% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩8,313 (₨517) | ₨484 | + 7% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩14,992 (₨933) | ₨604 | + 54% | |
| Clothes | + 53% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 53% more expensive than in India | ||||
| South Korea | India | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩73,672 (₨4,585) | ₨2,322 | + 97% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩52,272 (₨3,253) | ₨2,519 | + 29% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩80,092 (₨4,984) | ₨3,978 | + 25% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩105,969 (₨6,594) | ₨2,853 | + 131% | |
| Transportation | + 54% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 54% more expensive than in India | ||||
| South Korea | India | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩32,060,200 (₨1,995,115) | ₨1,528,690 | + 31% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,602 (₨100) | ₨104 | - 4% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩59,463 (₨3,700) | ₨1,661 | + 123% | |
| Personal Care | + 164% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 164% more expensive than in India | ||||
| South Korea | India | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩4,502 (₨280) | ₨100 | + 181% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩6,351 (₨395) | ₨233 | + 69% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩200,000 (₨12,446) | ₨1,257 | + 890% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩13,556 (₨844) | ₨329 | + 156% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩4,165 (₨259) | ₨243 | + 7% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩5,776 (₨359) | ₨283 | + 27% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩4,807 (₨299) | ₨189 | + 59% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩1,903 (₨118) | ₨89 | + 33% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩29,466 (₨1,834) | ₨307 | + 496% | |
| Entertainment | + 192% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 192% more expensive than in India | ||||
| South Korea | India | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩26,839 (₨1,670) | ₨1,365 | + 22% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩26,278 (₨1,635) | ₨545 | + 200% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩106,145 (₨6,605) | ₨1,704 | + 288% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩71,900 (₨4,474) | ₨2,328 | + 92% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩9,866 (₨614) | ₨865 | - 29% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩5,410 (₨337) | ₨261 | + 29% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩4,787 (₨298) | ₨197 | + 51% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩590,662 (₨36,757) | ₨43,773 | - 16% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩1,375 (₨86) | ₨8 | + 925% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩61,701 (₨3,840) | ₨1,536 | + 150% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,513 (₨281) | ₨249 | + 13% | |
| TOTAL | + 120% | |||
These prices were last updated on July 15, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.06223
INR
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 9,092 prices entered by 612 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 120% more expensive than in India
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