Cost of living in South Korea compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
| Food | + 20% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 20% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Korea | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩11,049 (£7) | £13 | - 50% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩7,946 (£4.86) | £7 | - 26% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩7,420 (£4.54) | £3.44 | + 32% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,902 (£1.77) | £1.11 | + 60% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩6,285 (£3.84) | £3.47 | + 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩8,039 (£4.91) | £1.92 | + 155% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩7,984 (£4.88) | £4.23 | + 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩8,422 (£5.15) | £2.00 | + 158% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩4,900 (£2.99) | £0.94 | + 219% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,939 (£1.80) | £1.72 | + 4% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩20,791 (£13) | £8 | + 54% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩3,248 (£1.99) | £2.25 | - 12% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩4,247 (£2.60) | £1.11 | + 133% | |
| Housing | - 18% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 18% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Korea | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩3,572,230 (£2,183) | £2,055 | + 6% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩2,147,310 (£1,312) | £1,348 | - 3% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩240,148 (£147) | £218 | - 33% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩1,264,360 (£773) | £1,168 | - 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩725,161 (£443) | £817 | - 46% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩80,000 (£49) | £133 | - 63% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩30,234 (£18) | £26 | - 28% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩433,362 (£265) | £306 | - 14% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩100,000 (£61) | £93 | - 34% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩16,029 (£10) | £6 | + 55% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩14,433 (£9) | £15 | - 40% | |
| Clothes | + 5% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 5% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Korea | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩85,819 (£52) | £63 | - 17% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩61,053 (£37) | £32 | + 16% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩96,399 (£59) | £68 | - 14% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩148,450 (£91) | £70 | + 30% | |
| Transportation | - 45% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 45% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Korea | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩41,804,000 (£25,551) | £25,545 | + 0% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,740 (£1.06) | £1.52 | - 30% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩56,813 (£35) | £91 | - 62% | |
| Personal Care | + 18% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 18% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Korea | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩7,985 (£4.88) | £4.12 | + 18% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩12,000 (£7) | £11 | - 31% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩52,552 (£32) | £112 | - 71% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩21,034 (£13) | £3.78 | + 241% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩15,000 (£9) | £1.71 | + 436% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩9,644 (£5.89) | £3.49 | + 69% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩3,593 (£2.20) | £2.13 | + 3% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩8,235 (£5.03) | £1.81 | + 177% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩17,167 (£10) | £14 | - 27% | |
| Entertainment | - 14% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 14% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| South Korea | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩34,756 (£21) | £37 | - 43% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩27,450 (£17) | £19 | - 13% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩249,761 (£153) | £153 | - 0% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩69,455 (£42) | £58 | - 27% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩15,654 (£10) | £10 | - 4% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩5,510 (£3.37) | £3.28 | + 3% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩4,817 (£2.94) | £4.90 | - 40% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩757,033 (£463) | £412 | + 12% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩206 (£0.13) | £0.10 | + 22% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩98,667 (£60) | £34 | + 76% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,500 (£2.75) | £13 | - 78% | |
| TOTAL | - 18% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 26, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00061
GBP
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 4,658 prices entered by 777 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 18% cheaper than in United Kingdom
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