Cost of living in United States compared to South Korea
Currency:
| Food | + 14% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 14% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $19 (₩24,195) | ₩9,728 | + 149% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 (₩13,030) | ₩7,824 | + 67% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.78 (₩7,534) | ₩7,138 | + 6% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.08 (₩1,413) | ₩2,881 | - 51% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.95 (₩6,456) | ₩6,434 | + 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.70 (₩6,122) | ₩8,039 | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (₩8,995) | ₩7,984 | + 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.66 (₩6,079) | ₩8,424 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.49 (₩3,247) | ₩4,900 | - 34% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.12 (₩4,067) | ₩2,924 | + 39% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (₩20,724) | ₩20,791 | - 0% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.77 (₩3,604) | ₩3,925 | - 8% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.98 (₩3,878) | ₩4,099 | - 5% | |
| Housing | + 54% | |||
| Housing in United States is 54% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,823 (₩3,679,898) | ₩3,727,990 | - 1% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,138 (₩2,786,312) | ₩2,236,600 | + 25% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $220 (₩286,572) | ₩272,954 | + 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,886 (₩2,458,692) | ₩1,069,890 | + 130% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,441 (₩1,878,818) | ₩733,814 | + 156% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $146 (₩190,494) | ₩120,000 | + 59% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $64 (₩82,901) | ₩30,234 | + 174% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $295 (₩384,689) | ₩219,090 | + 76% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $133 (₩173,978) | ₩100,000 | + 74% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $14 (₩17,641) | ₩16,029 | + 10% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $31 (₩40,727) | ₩14,433 | + 182% | |
| Clothes | - 2% | |||
| Clothes in United States is about the same as in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $54 (₩70,138) | ₩82,132 | - 15% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $45 (₩58,754) | ₩61,053 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $93 (₩121,795) | ₩94,430 | + 29% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $119 (₩154,867) | ₩148,450 | + 4% | |
| Transportation | + 33% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 33% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,910 (₩36,378,619) | ₩41,461,500 | - 12% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.05 (₩1,367) | ₩1,846 | - 26% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $79 (₩103,224) | ₩56,684 | + 82% | |
| Personal Care | + 20% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 20% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 (₩10,686) | ₩7,985 | + 34% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $21 (₩27,903) | ₩12,000 | + 133% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $140 (₩182,217) | ₩42,086 | + 333% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 (₩11,014) | ₩21,034 | - 48% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.80 (₩6,261) | ₩15,000 | - 58% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $6 (₩8,156) | ₩9,644 | - 15% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.72 (₩6,157) | ₩3,593 | + 71% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.25 (₩2,931) | ₩8,235 | - 64% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $27 (₩35,098) | ₩12,817 | + 174% | |
| Entertainment | + 36% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 36% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $55 (₩71,824) | ₩32,969 | + 118% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $28 (₩36,038) | ₩28,078 | + 28% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $195 (₩254,193) | ₩270,239 | - 6% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $89 (₩116,230) | ₩67,904 | + 71% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $14 (₩17,657) | ₩15,654 | + 13% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.21 (₩6,787) | ₩5,405 | + 26% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $6 (₩8,168) | ₩4,618 | + 77% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $554 (₩721,561) | ₩780,501 | - 8% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.21 (₩273) | ₩207 | + 32% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $54 (₩70,676) | ₩84,504 | - 16% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (₩13,056) | ₩4,500 | + 190% | |
| TOTAL | + 32% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 07, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1303.440
KRW
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 22,057 prices entered by 2,875 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 32% more expensive than in South Korea
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