Cost of living in United States compared to South Korea
Currency:
| Food | + 9% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 9% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $17 (₩22,103) | ₩9,112 | + 143% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $9 (₩11,623) | ₩6,337 | + 83% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.11 (₩6,507) | ₩5,987 | + 9% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.99 (₩1,262) | ₩2,684 | - 53% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.32 (₩4,234) | ₩5,919 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.43 (₩5,638) | ₩7,571 | - 26% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (₩8,770) | ₩15,097 | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.93 (₩5,005) | ₩8,205 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.92 (₩2,449) | ₩3,232 | - 24% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.31 (₩4,210) | ₩2,750 | + 53% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (₩19,989) | ₩21,608 | - 7% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.26 (₩2,881) | ₩3,192 | - 10% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.48 (₩3,163) | ₩3,056 | + 3% | |
| Housing | + 51% | |||
| Housing in United States is 51% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,516 (₩3,204,475) | ₩2,924,960 | + 10% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,953 (₩2,488,060) | ₩1,518,680 | + 64% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $204 (₩259,340) | ₩404,245 | - 36% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,777 (₩2,263,551) | ₩1,170,520 | + 93% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,347 (₩1,715,728) | ₩778,808 | + 120% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $138 (₩176,307) | ₩86,783 | + 103% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $56 (₩71,522) | ₩28,579 | + 150% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $300 (₩382,482) | ₩312,531 | + 22% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $134 (₩171,023) | ₩89,516 | + 91% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $12 (₩15,524) | ₩13,315 | + 17% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $27 (₩33,878) | ₩18,786 | + 80% | |
| Clothes | + 11% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 11% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $51 (₩65,251) | ₩69,705 | - 6% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $46 (₩58,788) | ₩52,630 | + 12% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $93 (₩118,051) | ₩89,867 | + 31% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $121 (₩154,680) | ₩127,854 | + 21% | |
| Transportation | + 29% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 29% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $25,474 (₩32,447,253) | ₩34,648,000 | - 6% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.06 (₩1,352) | ₩1,700 | - 20% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $77 (₩98,163) | ₩59,034 | + 66% | |
| Personal Care | + 26% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 26% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (₩9,498) | ₩16,011 | - 41% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $19 (₩24,273) | ₩4,500 | + 439% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $125 (₩158,741) | ₩20,000 | + 694% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (₩9,474) | ₩21,034 | - 55% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.15 (₩5,289) | ₩10,694 | - 51% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.50 (₩7,006) | ₩5,744 | + 22% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.18 (₩5,321) | ₩5,884 | - 10% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.05 (₩2,607) | ₩3,228 | - 19% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $25 (₩32,464) | ₩16,160 | + 101% | |
| Entertainment | + 27% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 27% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $49 (₩62,620) | ₩29,483 | + 112% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $27 (₩33,852) | ₩23,582 | + 44% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $190 (₩241,640) | ₩273,150 | - 12% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $84 (₩106,736) | ₩65,687 | + 62% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $13 (₩16,365) | ₩40,981 | - 60% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.19 (₩6,610) | ₩6,037 | + 9% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $6 (₩8,007) | ₩4,008 | + 100% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $490 (₩623,657) | ₩688,756 | - 9% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.17 (₩214) | ₩150 | + 42% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $53 (₩67,839) | ₩68,568 | - 1% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $9 (₩11,667) | ₩4,500 | + 159% | |
| TOTAL | + 32% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 23, 2022.
Exchange rate:
1273.740
KRW
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 16,597 prices entered by 2,688 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 32% more expensive than in South Korea
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