- Cost of Living
- United States
- South Korea
- Comparison
Cost of living in United States compared to South Korea
Currency:
| Food | - 5% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 5% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $14 (₩15,756) | ₩8,985 | + 75% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | $8 (₩8,514) | ₩6,528 | + 30% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.56 (₩5,127) | ₩4,957 | + 3% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.90 (₩1,006) | ₩2,498 | - 60% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.19 (₩3,588) | ₩3,427 | + 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.00 (₩4,495) | ₩5,263 | - 15% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (₩7,056) | ₩10,856 | - 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.36 (₩3,777) | ₩6,767 | - 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.61 (₩1,805) | ₩4,225 | - 57% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.22 (₩3,623) | ₩2,513 | + 44% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (₩16,486) | ₩19,403 | - 15% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | $1.93 (₩2,167) | ₩2,739 | - 21% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.13 (₩2,389) | ₩3,350 | - 29% | |
| Housing | + 62% | |||
| Housing in United States is 62% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | $2,033 (₩2,284,554) | ₩1,580,620 | + 45% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | $1,561 (₩1,754,086) | ₩1,108,410 | + 58% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $177 (₩199,373) | ₩148,919 | + 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | $1,572 (₩1,766,650) | ₩994,024 | + 78% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | $1,116 (₩1,253,779) | ₩612,536 | + 105% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | $123 (₩137,754) | ₩132,259 | + 4% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | $48 (₩53,708) | ₩25,690 | + 109% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | $335 (₩376,924) | ₩512,162 | - 26% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | $120 (₩134,627) | ₩97,084 | + 39% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (₩12,253) | ₩11,442 | + 7% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $23 (₩25,391) | ₩13,547 | + 87% | |
| Clothes | - 14% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 14% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | $47 (₩53,346) | ₩83,855 | - 36% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | $45 (₩50,259) | ₩54,603 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | $85 (₩95,672) | ₩96,827 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $115 (₩128,844) | ₩153,217 | - 16% | |
| Transportation | + 12% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 12% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $22,259 (₩25,013,106) | ₩30,660,700 | - 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.76 (₩853) | ₩1,556 | - 45% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $85 (₩95,685) | ₩65,989 | + 45% | |
| Personal Care | + 42% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 42% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (₩7,967) | ₩5,647 | + 41% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $19 (₩21,333) | ₩7,057 | + 202% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | $114 (₩127,902) | ₩32,530 | + 293% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | $7 (₩7,622) | ₩10,272 | - 26% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.50 (₩3,933) | ₩8,076 | - 51% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.04 (₩5,660) | ₩7,730 | - 27% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.42 (₩3,844) | ₩3,061 | + 26% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.85 (₩2,074) | ₩2,686 | - 23% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $21 (₩23,137) | ₩18,295 | + 26% | |
| Entertainment | + 18% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 18% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $44 (₩49,835) | ₩30,601 | + 63% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (₩27,879) | ₩20,654 | + 35% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $171 (₩192,561) | ₩118,894 | + 62% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $79 (₩88,296) | ₩60,511 | + 46% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $11 (₩12,867) | ₩9,150 | + 41% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.83 (₩5,433) | ₩4,929 | + 10% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.84 (₩6,557) | ₩4,728 | + 39% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | $429 (₩482,152) | ₩597,994 | - 19% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.32 (₩362) | ₩382 | - 5% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $53 (₩59,692) | ₩76,765 | - 22% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | $8 (₩8,889) | ₩4,500 | + 98% | |
| TOTAL | + 21% | |||
These prices were last updated on October 18, 2018.
Exchange rate:
1123.730
KRW
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 93,859 prices entered by 14,271 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 21% more expensive than in South Korea
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