English
Español- Cost of Living
- United States
- South Korea
- Comparison
Cost of living in United States compared to South Korea
Currency:
| Food | - 1% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is about the same as in South Korea | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $14 (₩16,004) | ₩8,935 | + 79% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | $8 (₩8,709) | ₩6,383 | + 36% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.50 (₩5,117) | ₩4,439 | + 15% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.88 (₩998) | ₩2,562 | - 61% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.20 (₩3,639) | ₩3,685 | - 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $3.93 (₩4,463) | ₩5,516 | - 19% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (₩7,113) | ₩12,240 | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.34 (₩3,796) | ₩6,389 | - 41% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.60 (₩1,821) | ₩4,670 | - 61% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.69 (₩4,191) | ₩2,329 | + 80% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (₩16,909) | ₩23,393 | - 28% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | $1.92 (₩2,180) | ₩2,541 | - 14% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.16 (₩2,456) | ₩2,969 | - 17% | |
| Housing | + 81% | |||
| Housing in United States is 81% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | $2,049 (₩2,329,829) | ₩1,283,350 | + 82% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | $1,553 (₩1,766,191) | ₩992,118 | + 78% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $177 (₩201,731) | ₩151,822 | + 33% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | $1,532 (₩1,741,337) | ₩750,746 | + 132% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | $1,101 (₩1,251,885) | ₩495,226 | + 153% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | $119 (₩135,004) | ₩84,737 | + 59% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | $48 (₩54,537) | ₩27,424 | + 99% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | $323 (₩366,835) | ₩394,009 | - 7% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | $119 (₩134,985) | ₩76,726 | + 76% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (₩12,173) | ₩10,627 | + 15% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $22 (₩25,199) | ₩21,912 | + 15% | |
| Clothes | + 10% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 10% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | $47 (₩53,611) | ₩78,411 | - 32% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | $44 (₩50,342) | ₩36,864 | + 37% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | $86 (₩97,321) | ₩101,016 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $113 (₩129,020) | ₩129,885 | - 1% | |
| Transportation | + 24% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 24% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $22,308 (₩25,363,199) | ₩29,704,000 | - 15% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.78 (₩883) | ₩1,497 | - 41% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $85 (₩96,722) | ₩57,624 | + 68% | |
| Personal Care | + 46% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 46% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (₩8,007) | ₩6,068 | + 32% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $18 (₩20,276) | ₩8,346 | + 143% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | $111 (₩126,001) | ₩24,884 | + 406% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | $7 (₩7,752) | ₩13,179 | - 41% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.44 (₩3,916) | ₩6,833 | - 43% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.13 (₩5,835) | ₩6,883 | - 15% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.49 (₩3,969) | ₩2,177 | + 82% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.86 (₩2,112) | ₩2,812 | - 25% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $20 (₩23,273) | ₩15,001 | + 55% | |
| Entertainment | + 28% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 28% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $45 (₩51,308) | ₩32,317 | + 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (₩28,311) | ₩21,083 | + 34% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $171 (₩194,615) | ₩186,616 | + 4% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $78 (₩89,083) | ₩58,542 | + 52% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 (₩13,195) | ₩9,905 | + 33% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.91 (₩5,582) | ₩5,224 | + 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.90 (₩6,702) | ₩4,677 | + 43% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | $421 (₩479,009) | ₩588,221 | - 19% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.29 (₩332) | ₩154 | + 116% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $52 (₩59,398) | ₩81,212 | - 27% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | $8 (₩8,918) | ₩4,544 | + 96% | |
| TOTAL | + 31% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 23, 2019.
Exchange rate:
1136.940
KRW
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 84,692 prices entered by 11,787 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 31% more expensive than in South Korea
Other Country Comparisons
- Cost of living in Antarctica is in South Korea
- Cost of living in Angola is 39% more expensive than in South Korea
- Cost of living in Andorra is about the same as in South Korea
- Cost of living in American Samoa is in South Korea
- Cost of living in Armenia is 52% cheaper than in South Korea
- Cost of living in Netherlands Antilles is 78% more expensive than in South Korea
- Cost of living in Albania is 39% cheaper than in South Korea
- Cost of living in Argentina is 47% cheaper than in South Korea