- Cost of Living
- United States
- South Korea
- Comparison
Cost of living in United States compared to South Korea
Currency:
| Food | - 11% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 11% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $14 (₩14,833) | ₩8,653 | + 71% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | $7 (₩7,971) | ₩6,350 | + 26% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.59 (₩4,910) | ₩5,512 | - 11% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.92 (₩979) | ₩2,580 | - 62% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.23 (₩3,453) | ₩3,533 | - 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.08 (₩4,363) | ₩5,394 | - 19% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (₩6,673) | ₩11,916 | - 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.40 (₩3,639) | ₩6,810 | - 47% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.71 (₩1,827) | ₩4,209 | - 57% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.80 (₩2,998) | ₩2,512 | + 19% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (₩15,535) | ₩18,943 | - 18% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | $1.95 (₩2,081) | ₩2,950 | - 29% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.15 (₩2,302) | ₩3,099 | - 26% | |
| Housing | + 50% | |||
| Housing in United States is 50% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | $2,048 (₩2,190,883) | ₩1,540,140 | + 42% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | $1,580 (₩1,689,882) | ₩1,165,300 | + 45% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $172 (₩183,939) | ₩172,687 | + 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | $1,585 (₩1,695,017) | ₩1,021,250 | + 66% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | $1,109 (₩1,186,400) | ₩630,573 | + 88% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | $117 (₩125,415) | ₩164,223 | - 24% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | $48 (₩51,128) | ₩24,792 | + 106% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | $351 (₩375,208) | ₩520,784 | - 28% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | $121 (₩128,911) | ₩102,722 | + 25% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (₩11,992) | ₩10,523 | + 14% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $22 (₩23,875) | ₩15,137 | + 58% | |
| Clothes | - 14% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 14% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | $47 (₩50,263) | ₩72,462 | - 31% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | $45 (₩48,393) | ₩52,299 | - 7% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | $85 (₩91,211) | ₩100,321 | - 9% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $119 (₩126,860) | ₩162,813 | - 22% | |
| Transportation | + 7% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 7% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $22,102 (₩23,640,085) | ₩29,521,000 | - 20% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.70 (₩752) | ₩1,531 | - 51% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $86 (₩91,680) | ₩65,234 | + 41% | |
| Personal Care | + 23% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 23% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (₩7,932) | ₩5,116 | + 55% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $18 (₩19,570) | ₩8,491 | + 130% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | $109 (₩116,985) | ₩35,877 | + 226% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | $7 (₩7,003) | ₩20,195 | - 65% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.54 (₩3,786) | ₩9,294 | - 59% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $4.91 (₩5,253) | ₩6,111 | - 14% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.33 (₩3,562) | ₩4,085 | - 13% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.79 (₩1,913) | ₩2,460 | - 22% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $21 (₩21,950) | ₩17,690 | + 24% | |
| Entertainment | + 33% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 33% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $44 (₩47,174) | ₩29,617 | + 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (₩26,414) | ₩19,545 | + 35% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $167 (₩179,121) | ₩105,003 | + 71% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $78 (₩83,809) | ₩62,264 | + 35% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $11 (₩12,264) | ₩10,209 | + 20% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.78 (₩5,118) | ₩4,895 | + 5% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.70 (₩6,100) | ₩4,529 | + 35% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | $429 (₩459,206) | ₩609,338 | - 25% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.58 (₩616) | ₩204 | + 202% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $53 (₩56,673) | ₩83,253 | - 32% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | $8 (₩8,532) | ₩4,500 | + 90% | |
| TOTAL | + 17% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 22, 2018.
Exchange rate:
1069.600
KRW
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 92,851 prices entered by 14,659 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 17% more expensive than in South Korea
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