Cost of living in South Korea compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
| Food | + 29% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 29% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩9,333 (£6) | £11 | - 45% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩6,509 (£4.22) | £5.80 | - 27% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩6,201 (£4.02) | £3.29 | + 22% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,610 (£1.69) | £0.84 | + 102% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩3,973 (£2.57) | £2.32 | + 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩6,606 (£4.28) | £1.93 | + 122% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩10,909 (£7) | £3.80 | + 86% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩8,939 (£5.79) | £1.83 | + 217% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩5,079 (£3.29) | £1.01 | + 225% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,476 (£1.60) | £1.74 | - 8% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩25,498 (£17) | £8 | + 113% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩2,754 (£1.78) | £1.96 | - 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩3,148 (£2.04) | £0.98 | + 108% | |
| Housing | - 39% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 39% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩1,495,100 (£968) | £1,785 | - 46% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩1,111,570 (£720) | £1,420 | - 49% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩252,074 (£163) | £129 | + 27% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩634,731 (£411) | £1,043 | - 61% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩569,700 (£369) | £883 | - 58% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩113,814 (£74) | £115 | - 36% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩30,841 (£20) | £23 | - 13% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩512,722 (£332) | £320 | + 4% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩113,954 (£74) | £85 | - 13% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩10,470 (£7) | £6 | + 6% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩19,321 (£13) | £11 | + 10% | |
| Clothes | + 11% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 11% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩69,249 (£45) | £68 | - 34% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩58,737 (£38) | £30 | + 26% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩110,750 (£72) | £68 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩193,166 (£125) | £73 | + 71% | |
| Transportation | - 31% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 31% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩35,224,500 (£22,812) | £20,129 | + 13% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,474 (£0.95) | £1.27 | - 25% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩70,368 (£46) | £83 | - 45% | |
| Personal Care | + 5% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 5% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩5,944 (£3.85) | £3.63 | + 6% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩7,390 (£4.79) | £9 | - 49% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩20,000 (£13) | £89 | - 85% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩18,944 (£12) | £3.05 | + 302% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩8,772 (£5.68) | £1.45 | + 292% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩10,077 (£7) | £3.46 | + 89% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩3,335 (£2.16) | £1.71 | + 26% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩2,422 (£1.57) | £1.45 | + 8% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩13,449 (£9) | £12 | - 29% | |
| Entertainment | - 23% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 23% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩30,440 (£20) | £29 | - 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩21,000 (£14) | £20 | - 31% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩109,875 (£71) | £107 | - 33% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩61,177 (£40) | £54 | - 26% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩12,044 (£8) | £9 | - 12% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩4,823 (£3.12) | £2.92 | + 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩5,159 (£3.34) | £4.38 | - 24% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩579,003 (£375) | £388 | - 3% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩146 (£0.09) | £0.11 | - 13% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩59,864 (£39) | £33 | + 17% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,578 (£2.96) | £11 | - 73% | |
| TOTAL | - 20% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 17, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.00065
GBP
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 8,171 prices entered by 1,367 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 20% cheaper than in United Kingdom
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