- Cost of Living
- United States
- South Korea
- Comparison
Cost of living in United States compared to South Korea
Currency:
| Food | - 6% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 6% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $14 (₩15,419) | ₩8,543 | + 80% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | $7 (₩8,325) | ₩6,391 | + 30% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.61 (₩5,122) | ₩5,309 | - 4% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.91 (₩1,007) | ₩2,600 | - 61% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.24 (₩3,596) | ₩3,609 | - 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.02 (₩4,469) | ₩5,361 | - 17% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (₩6,959) | ₩10,344 | - 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.40 (₩3,774) | ₩6,701 | - 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.65 (₩1,835) | ₩4,209 | - 56% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.95 (₩3,276) | ₩2,569 | + 28% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (₩16,254) | ₩18,262 | - 11% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | $1.94 (₩2,152) | ₩2,836 | - 24% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.13 (₩2,365) | ₩3,149 | - 25% | |
| Housing | + 60% | |||
| Housing in United States is 60% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | $2,025 (₩2,248,718) | ₩1,468,330 | + 53% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | $1,557 (₩1,728,971) | ₩1,137,270 | + 52% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $174 (₩193,699) | ₩147,949 | + 31% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | $1,570 (₩1,743,629) | ₩1,043,410 | + 67% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | $1,107 (₩1,229,657) | ₩641,947 | + 92% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | $120 (₩133,612) | ₩144,481 | - 8% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | $48 (₩53,195) | ₩27,564 | + 93% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | $346 (₩383,948) | ₩534,821 | - 28% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | $122 (₩135,062) | ₩98,011 | + 38% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (₩12,293) | ₩10,886 | + 13% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $23 (₩25,086) | ₩12,088 | + 108% | |
| Clothes | - 11% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 11% cheaper than in South Korea | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | $47 (₩52,388) | ₩72,462 | - 28% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | $45 (₩49,473) | ₩52,210 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | $86 (₩94,981) | ₩100,543 | - 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $118 (₩131,398) | ₩162,813 | - 19% | |
| Transportation | + 13% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 13% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $22,033 (₩24,467,980) | ₩29,874,500 | - 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.72 (₩802) | ₩1,527 | - 47% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $86 (₩95,984) | ₩64,098 | + 50% | |
| Personal Care | + 27% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 27% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (₩7,996) | ₩5,899 | + 36% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $18 (₩19,976) | ₩9,743 | + 105% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | $111 (₩122,967) | ₩34,478 | + 257% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | $7 (₩7,365) | ₩14,117 | - 48% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.54 (₩3,931) | ₩9,294 | - 58% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.06 (₩5,624) | ₩7,147 | - 21% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.37 (₩3,740) | ₩3,285 | + 14% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.84 (₩2,039) | ₩2,373 | - 14% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $20 (₩22,572) | ₩17,991 | + 25% | |
| Entertainment | + 25% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 25% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $44 (₩49,129) | ₩29,617 | + 66% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (₩27,551) | ₩19,780 | + 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $167 (₩185,703) | ₩105,754 | + 76% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $79 (₩87,204) | ₩61,527 | + 42% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $11 (₩12,732) | ₩10,169 | + 25% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.80 (₩5,327) | ₩4,842 | + 10% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.69 (₩6,323) | ₩4,559 | + 39% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | $429 (₩476,740) | ₩609,338 | - 22% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.28 (₩314) | ₩212 | + 48% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $53 (₩58,482) | ₩80,616 | - 27% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | $8 (₩8,876) | ₩4,500 | + 97% | |
| TOTAL | + 21% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 25, 2018.
Exchange rate:
1110.500
KRW
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 95,198 prices entered by 14,901 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 21% more expensive than in South Korea
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