- Cost of Living
- United States
- South Korea
- Comparison
Cost of living in United States compared to South Korea
Currency:
| Food | - 5% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 5% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $14 (₩15,879) | ₩8,989 | + 77% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | $8 (₩8,581) | ₩6,461 | + 33% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.54 (₩5,117) | ₩4,610 | + 11% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.89 (₩1,006) | ₩2,486 | - 60% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.18 (₩3,582) | ₩3,658 | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.03 (₩4,540) | ₩5,318 | - 15% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (₩7,110) | ₩10,856 | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.34 (₩3,764) | ₩6,647 | - 43% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.60 (₩1,801) | ₩5,317 | - 66% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.43 (₩3,868) | ₩2,500 | + 55% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (₩16,679) | ₩20,382 | - 18% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | $1.91 (₩2,157) | ₩2,758 | - 22% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.13 (₩2,405) | ₩3,248 | - 26% | |
| Housing | + 66% | |||
| Housing in United States is 66% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | $2,041 (₩2,299,872) | ₩1,503,430 | + 53% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | $1,582 (₩1,783,473) | ₩1,134,840 | + 57% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $177 (₩199,930) | ₩146,543 | + 36% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | $1,583 (₩1,784,443) | ₩983,840 | + 81% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | $1,130 (₩1,273,138) | ₩619,843 | + 105% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | $121 (₩136,695) | ₩112,279 | + 22% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | $48 (₩53,880) | ₩26,295 | + 105% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | $334 (₩376,730) | ₩512,162 | - 26% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | $119 (₩133,682) | ₩97,084 | + 38% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (₩12,230) | ₩11,442 | + 7% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $23 (₩25,391) | ₩13,547 | + 87% | |
| Clothes | - 5% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 5% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | $47 (₩53,081) | ₩81,661 | - 35% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | $45 (₩50,404) | ₩47,464 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | $85 (₩96,314) | ₩93,233 | + 3% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $114 (₩129,009) | ₩135,952 | - 5% | |
| Transportation | + 16% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 16% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $22,355 (₩25,195,533) | ₩30,995,700 | - 19% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.77 (₩867) | ₩1,555 | - 44% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $85 (₩96,191) | ₩62,714 | + 53% | |
| Personal Care | + 33% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 33% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (₩7,936) | ₩5,647 | + 41% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $19 (₩20,868) | ₩7,057 | + 196% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | $112 (₩126,011) | ₩33,974 | + 271% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | $7 (₩7,632) | ₩10,272 | - 26% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.50 (₩3,949) | ₩8,076 | - 51% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.11 (₩5,763) | ₩7,730 | - 25% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.47 (₩3,906) | ₩3,061 | + 28% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.86 (₩2,094) | ₩2,686 | - 22% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $21 (₩23,115) | ₩17,659 | + 31% | |
| Entertainment | + 20% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 20% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $45 (₩50,438) | ₩30,653 | + 65% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (₩28,013) | ₩20,507 | + 37% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $172 (₩194,363) | ₩118,894 | + 63% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $79 (₩89,275) | ₩60,447 | + 48% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 (₩13,052) | ₩9,150 | + 43% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.87 (₩5,487) | ₩4,930 | + 11% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.89 (₩6,638) | ₩4,572 | + 45% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | $425 (₩479,116) | ₩577,048 | - 17% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.34 (₩378) | ₩382 | - 1% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $54 (₩60,645) | ₩76,765 | - 21% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | $8 (₩8,933) | ₩4,500 | + 99% | |
| TOTAL | + 23% | |||
These prices were last updated on December 11, 2018.
Exchange rate:
1127.090
KRW
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 94,108 prices entered by 13,662 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 23% more expensive than in South Korea
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