Cost of living in South Korea compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
| Food | + 18% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 18% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Korea | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩9,162 (£5.79) | £13 | - 57% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩6,307 (£3.99) | £5.94 | - 33% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩5,987 (£3.78) | £3.34 | + 13% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,684 (£1.70) | £0.91 | + 87% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩6,039 (£3.82) | £2.74 | + 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩7,547 (£4.77) | £2.17 | + 119% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩16,031 (£10) | £3.78 | + 168% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩8,252 (£5.22) | £2.09 | + 150% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩3,965 (£2.51) | £0.87 | + 189% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,750 (£1.74) | £1.97 | - 12% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩21,608 (£14) | £8 | + 63% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩3,218 (£2.03) | £1.98 | + 3% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩3,056 (£1.93) | £1.12 | + 73% | |
| Housing | - 29% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 29% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Korea | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩2,993,990 (£1,892) | £2,164 | - 13% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩1,538,620 (£972) | £1,621 | - 40% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩404,245 (£255) | £166 | + 54% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩1,184,460 (£749) | £1,448 | - 48% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩778,808 (£492) | £1,033 | - 52% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩86,783 (£55) | £146 | - 63% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩28,579 (£18) | £26 | - 30% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩312,531 (£198) | £300 | - 34% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩89,516 (£57) | £99 | - 43% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩13,315 (£8) | £7 | + 29% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩18,786 (£12) | £13 | - 7% | |
| Clothes | - 13% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 13% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Korea | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩69,705 (£44) | £67 | - 34% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩52,630 (£33) | £33 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩89,867 (£57) | £77 | - 26% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩127,854 (£81) | £80 | + 1% | |
| Transportation | - 47% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 47% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Korea | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩34,648,000 (£21,899) | £22,862 | - 4% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,780 (£1.13) | £1.63 | - 31% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩59,034 (£37) | £98 | - 62% | |
| Personal Care | + 17% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 17% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Korea | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩16,011 (£10) | £3.55 | + 185% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩4,500 (£2.84) | £9 | - 67% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩24,017 (£15) | £81 | - 81% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩21,034 (£13) | £2.59 | + 413% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩10,694 (£7) | £1.77 | + 283% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩5,744 (£3.63) | £3.51 | + 4% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩5,884 (£3.72) | £1.95 | + 91% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩3,228 (£2.04) | £1.54 | + 33% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩16,160 (£10) | £14 | - 27% | |
| Entertainment | - 21% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 21% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Korea | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩29,483 (£19) | £34 | - 46% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩23,679 (£15) | £22 | - 33% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩273,150 (£173) | £117 | + 47% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩65,687 (£42) | £60 | - 31% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩40,981 (£26) | £9 | + 190% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩5,874 (£3.71) | £3.17 | + 17% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩4,008 (£2.53) | £5.09 | - 50% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩688,756 (£435) | £567 | - 23% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩149 (£0.09) | £0.14 | - 32% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩68,568 (£43) | £38 | + 15% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,500 (£2.84) | £12 | - 76% | |
| TOTAL | - 25% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 30, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00063
GBP
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 4,456 prices entered by 683 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 25% cheaper than in United Kingdom
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