Cost of living in United States compared to South Korea
Currency:
| Food | - 2% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is about the same as in South Korea | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $15 (₩18,138) | ₩9,206 | + 97% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 (₩9,803) | ₩6,767 | + 45% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.33 (₩5,365) | ₩6,238 | - 14% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.88 (₩1,085) | ₩2,680 | - 60% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $2.98 (₩3,690) | ₩4,079 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.03 (₩4,991) | ₩5,684 | - 12% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (₩7,766) | ₩12,234 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.36 (₩4,164) | ₩6,778 | - 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.77 (₩2,187) | ₩4,368 | - 50% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.16 (₩3,915) | ₩2,586 | + 51% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $14 (₩17,864) | ₩29,503 | - 39% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $1.94 (₩2,397) | ₩2,622 | - 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.04 (₩2,527) | ₩3,134 | - 19% | |
| Housing | + 67% | |||
| Housing in United States is 67% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,262 (₩2,800,221) | ₩1,799,930 | + 56% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,626 (₩2,013,204) | ₩1,165,780 | + 73% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $177 (₩218,775) | ₩259,413 | - 16% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,630 (₩2,017,909) | ₩620,006 | + 225% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,160 (₩1,435,675) | ₩605,216 | + 137% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $109 (₩134,507) | ₩91,170 | + 48% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $47 (₩58,207) | ₩30,708 | + 90% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $298 (₩368,829) | ₩515,397 | - 28% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $118 (₩145,924) | ₩131,154 | + 11% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (₩13,395) | ₩28,954 | - 54% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $22 (₩27,114) | ₩22,184 | + 22% | |
| Clothes | - 3% | |||
| Clothes in United States is about the same as in South Korea | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $49 (₩60,534) | ₩58,979 | + 3% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $45 (₩55,177) | ₩55,180 | - 0% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $86 (₩106,865) | ₩102,495 | + 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $112 (₩139,190) | ₩187,732 | - 26% | |
| Transportation | + 8% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 8% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $22,927 (₩28,386,519) | ₩34,330,100 | - 17% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.75 (₩930) | ₩1,517 | - 39% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $80 (₩99,554) | ₩74,667 | + 33% | |
| Personal Care | - 17% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 17% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (₩9,146) | ₩6,016 | + 52% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $20 (₩24,210) | ₩7,390 | + 228% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $110 (₩136,651) | ₩218,428 | - 37% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (₩8,231) | ₩16,991 | - 52% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.56 (₩4,404) | ₩8,772 | - 50% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.10 (₩6,310) | ₩10,077 | - 37% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.58 (₩4,431) | ₩3,569 | + 24% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.83 (₩2,262) | ₩2,563 | - 12% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $22 (₩26,644) | ₩17,818 | + 50% | |
| Entertainment | + 45% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 45% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $45 (₩56,277) | ₩32,080 | + 75% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (₩30,346) | ₩20,815 | + 46% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $222 (₩274,675) | ₩109,875 | + 150% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $75 (₩92,452) | ₩60,124 | + 54% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 (₩14,743) | ₩10,723 | + 37% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.84 (₩5,993) | ₩4,839 | + 24% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.82 (₩7,200) | ₩5,471 | + 32% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $397 (₩491,220) | ₩571,882 | - 14% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.19 (₩233) | ₩146 | + 60% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $53 (₩65,859) | ₩55,134 | + 19% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 (₩9,995) | ₩4,591 | + 118% | |
| TOTAL | + 23% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 28, 2020.
Exchange rate:
1238.110
KRW
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 44,075 prices entered by 5,704 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 23% more expensive than in South Korea
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