- Cost of Living
- United States
- South Korea
- Comparison
Cost of living in United States compared to South Korea
Currency:
| Food | - 4% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 4% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $14 (₩15,815) | ₩8,727 | + 81% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | $8 (₩8,548) | ₩6,539 | + 31% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.62 (₩5,243) | ₩5,389 | - 3% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.90 (₩1,019) | ₩2,605 | - 61% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.23 (₩3,664) | ₩3,609 | + 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.00 (₩4,539) | ₩5,350 | - 15% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (₩7,145) | ₩10,042 | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.38 (₩3,836) | ₩6,947 | - 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.63 (₩1,853) | ₩4,209 | - 56% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.07 (₩3,477) | ₩2,612 | + 33% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (₩16,733) | ₩19,027 | - 12% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | $1.93 (₩2,188) | ₩2,695 | - 19% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.13 (₩2,417) | ₩3,141 | - 23% | |
| Housing | + 65% | |||
| Housing in United States is 65% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | $2,029 (₩2,301,365) | ₩1,523,360 | + 51% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | $1,573 (₩1,784,451) | ₩1,068,520 | + 67% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $177 (₩200,632) | ₩145,685 | + 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | $1,584 (₩1,796,813) | ₩996,371 | + 80% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | $1,120 (₩1,270,486) | ₩614,461 | + 107% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | $123 (₩139,495) | ₩145,621 | - 4% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | $48 (₩54,789) | ₩27,564 | + 99% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | $337 (₩382,381) | ₩532,530 | - 28% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | $122 (₩137,878) | ₩98,292 | + 40% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (₩12,541) | ₩10,886 | + 15% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $23 (₩25,681) | ₩13,123 | + 96% | |
| Clothes | - 11% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 11% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | $48 (₩53,913) | ₩81,904 | - 34% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | $45 (₩50,641) | ₩51,241 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | $86 (₩97,069) | ₩102,290 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $116 (₩131,299) | ₩163,609 | - 20% | |
| Transportation | + 16% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 16% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $22,040 (₩24,996,874) | ₩30,507,600 | - 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.74 (₩843) | ₩1,534 | - 45% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $85 (₩96,653) | ₩63,503 | + 52% | |
| Personal Care | + 29% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 29% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (₩8,043) | ₩5,744 | + 40% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $18 (₩20,850) | ₩9,743 | + 114% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | $112 (₩126,506) | ₩34,694 | + 265% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | $7 (₩7,681) | ₩14,237 | - 46% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.53 (₩3,999) | ₩9,298 | - 57% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.06 (₩5,741) | ₩7,147 | - 20% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.44 (₩3,903) | ₩3,285 | + 19% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.85 (₩2,095) | ₩2,373 | - 12% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $21 (₩23,503) | ₩18,875 | + 25% | |
| Entertainment | + 33% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 33% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $44 (₩50,093) | ₩31,416 | + 59% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (₩28,171) | ₩20,260 | + 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $167 (₩189,341) | ₩104,758 | + 81% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $79 (₩89,781) | ₩59,552 | + 51% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $11 (₩13,023) | ₩8,912 | + 46% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.84 (₩5,487) | ₩4,964 | + 11% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.83 (₩6,613) | ₩4,695 | + 41% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | $429 (₩486,876) | ₩600,313 | - 19% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.29 (₩332) | ₩170 | + 96% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $53 (₩60,449) | ₩80,946 | - 25% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | $8 (₩8,939) | ₩4,500 | + 99% | |
| TOTAL | + 25% | |||
These prices were last updated on August 15, 2018.
Exchange rate:
1134.180
KRW
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 95,722 prices entered by 14,840 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 25% more expensive than in South Korea
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