Cost of living in South Korea compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
| Food | + 17% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 17% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩9,411 (£6) | £10 | - 43% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩6,661 (£4.25) | £5.86 | - 27% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩5,558 (£3.55) | £3.31 | + 7% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,243 (£1.43) | £0.83 | + 72% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩4,906 (£3.13) | £2.48 | + 26% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩6,379 (£4.07) | £1.94 | + 110% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩13,015 (£8) | £4.32 | + 93% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩5,944 (£3.79) | £1.94 | + 95% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩3,678 (£2.35) | £0.79 | + 197% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,166 (£1.38) | £1.68 | - 17% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩22,522 (£14) | £8 | + 74% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩2,819 (£1.80) | £1.96 | - 8% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩2,980 (£1.90) | £0.90 | + 111% | |
| Housing | - 30% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 30% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩1,839,660 (£1,174) | £1,807 | - 35% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩1,187,480 (£758) | £1,101 | - 31% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩250,846 (£160) | £145 | + 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩1,200,300 (£766) | £1,121 | - 32% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩587,302 (£375) | £1,034 | - 64% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩81,680 (£52) | £100 | - 48% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩41,339 (£26) | £22 | + 19% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩352,573 (£225) | £318 | - 29% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩113,587 (£73) | £76 | - 4% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩13,071 (£8) | £6 | + 34% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩13,039 (£8) | £12 | - 30% | |
| Clothes | - 14% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 14% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩41,844 (£27) | £69 | - 61% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩52,250 (£33) | £33 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩95,365 (£61) | £77 | - 21% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩173,054 (£110) | £75 | + 48% | |
| 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 | ₩30,595,300 (£19,532) | £20,042 | - 3% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,439 (£0.92) | £1.14 | - 20% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩80,931 (£52) | £88 | - 41% | |
| Personal Care | + 15% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 15% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩6,377 (£4.07) | £3.27 | + 25% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩7,390 (£4.72) | £9 | - 47% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩96,192 (£61) | £82 | - 25% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩21,662 (£14) | £3.51 | + 294% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩8,130 (£5.19) | £1.58 | + 228% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩8,324 (£5.31) | £3.20 | + 66% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩1,815 (£1.16) | £1.88 | - 38% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩2,204 (£1.41) | £1.43 | - 2% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩17,384 (£11) | £13 | - 17% | |
| Entertainment | + 23% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 23% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩33,460 (£21) | £30 | - 29% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩20,876 (£13) | £19 | - 28% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩165,595 (£106) | £135 | - 22% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩67,775 (£43) | £57 | - 24% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩10,109 (£6) | £9 | - 25% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩5,000 (£3.19) | £3.29 | - 3% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩5,279 (£3.37) | £4.60 | - 27% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩669,053 (£427) | £428 | - 0% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩1,500 (£0.96) | £0.30 | + 216% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩61,508 (£39) | £34 | + 15% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,500 (£2.87) | £12 | - 75% | |
| TOTAL | - 13% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 27, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00064
GBP
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 5,588 prices entered by 966 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 13% cheaper than in United Kingdom
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