Cost of living in United States compared to South Korea
Currency:
| Food | + 55% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 55% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $22 (₩29,671) | ₩9,821 | + 202% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (₩16,535) | ₩7,885 | + 110% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.96 (₩8,176) | ₩6,235 | + 31% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.09 (₩1,501) | ₩2,827 | - 47% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.71 (₩7,837) | ₩5,809 | + 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.81 (₩6,600) | ₩4,854 | + 36% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 (₩10,831) | ₩12,583 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.15 (₩5,697) | ₩9,424 | - 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.23 (₩3,064) | ₩5,133 | - 40% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.93 (₩5,385) | ₩2,223 | + 142% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $18 (₩24,810) | ₩17,925 | + 38% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $3.01 (₩4,130) | ₩2,571 | + 61% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.99 (₩4,108) | ₩2,470 | + 66% | |
| Housing | + 109% | |||
| Housing in United States is 109% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,999 (₩4,113,367) | ₩2,793,090 | + 47% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,329 (₩3,194,336) | ₩1,878,550 | + 70% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $241 (₩330,703) | ₩255,421 | + 29% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,217 (₩3,041,396) | ₩1,193,870 | + 155% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,631 (₩2,237,376) | ₩668,097 | + 235% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $169 (₩232,159) | ₩130,514 | + 78% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $61 (₩83,465) | ₩14,795 | + 464% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $250 (₩342,749) | ₩329,232 | + 4% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $144 (₩198,089) | ₩104,471 | + 90% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $15 (₩20,685) | ₩8,456 | + 145% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $34 (₩46,589) | ₩15,160 | + 207% | |
| Clothes | + 33% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 33% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $58 (₩79,287) | ₩74,002 | + 7% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $50 (₩67,941) | ₩52,437 | + 30% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $105 (₩144,179) | ₩80,767 | + 79% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $138 (₩188,889) | ₩108,015 | + 75% | |
| Transportation | + 62% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 62% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $31,214 (₩42,819,053) | ₩32,144,700 | + 33% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.93 (₩1,281) | ₩1,604 | - 20% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $88 (₩121,352) | ₩59,472 | + 104% | |
| Personal Care | + 61% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 61% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $10 (₩13,099) | ₩4,498 | + 191% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $25 (₩34,014) | ₩6,395 | + 432% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $171 (₩234,808) | ₩200,000 | + 17% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 (₩12,879) | ₩13,644 | - 6% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $5.31 (₩7,288) | ₩4,239 | + 72% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (₩10,124) | ₩5,838 | + 73% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.17 (₩7,086) | ₩5,088 | + 39% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.44 (₩3,352) | ₩1,937 | + 73% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $32 (₩43,296) | ₩29,959 | + 45% | |
| Entertainment | - 24% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 24% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $60 (₩82,876) | ₩26,675 | + 211% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $30 (₩41,607) | ₩26,127 | + 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $236 (₩323,214) | ₩105,874 | + 205% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $104 (₩142,010) | ₩72,027 | + 97% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $15 (₩20,562) | ₩10,049 | + 105% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $6 (₩8,337) | ₩5,433 | + 53% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 (₩10,360) | ₩4,766 | + 117% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $458 (₩628,134) | ₩590,137 | + 6% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.52 (₩717) | ₩2,526 | - 72% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $70 (₩95,708) | ₩61,562 | + 55% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $11 (₩15,416) | ₩4,513 | + 242% | |
| TOTAL | + 44% | |||
These prices were last updated on July 13, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1371.790
KRW
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 20,501 prices entered by 1,839 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 44% more expensive than in South Korea
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