- Cost of Living
- South Korea
- United States
- Comparison
Cost of living in South Korea compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 3% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 3% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩8,985 ($8) | $14 | - 44% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₩6,528 ($5.75) | $8 | - 24% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩4,957 ($4.36) | $4.57 | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,498 ($2.20) | $0.89 | + 146% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩3,427 ($3.02) | $3.18 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩5,263 ($4.63) | $4.04 | + 15% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩10,856 ($10) | $6 | + 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩6,767 ($5.96) | $3.34 | + 78% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩4,225 ($3.72) | $1.60 | + 133% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,513 ($2.21) | $3.35 | - 34% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩19,403 ($17) | $15 | + 16% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₩2,739 ($2.41) | $1.92 | + 25% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩3,350 ($2.95) | $2.13 | + 39% | |
| Housing | - 40% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 40% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₩1,496,450 ($1,318) | $2,039 | - 35% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₩1,108,410 ($976) | $1,572 | - 38% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩148,919 ($131) | $177 | - 26% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₩994,024 ($875) | $1,574 | - 44% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₩612,536 ($539) | $1,125 | - 52% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₩132,259 ($116) | $123 | - 5% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₩25,690 ($23) | $48 | - 53% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₩512,162 ($451) | $334 | + 35% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩97,084 ($85) | $118 | - 28% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩11,442 ($10) | $11 | - 8% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩13,547 ($12) | $22 | - 47% | |
| Clothes | + 14% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 14% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₩83,855 ($74) | $47 | + 56% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₩54,603 ($48) | $45 | + 7% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩96,827 ($85) | $85 | - 0% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩153,217 ($135) | $115 | + 18% | |
| Transportation | - 14% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 14% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩30,660,700 ($26,995) | $22,270 | + 21% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,556 ($1.37) | $0.77 | + 79% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩63,764 ($56) | $85 | - 34% | |
| Personal Care | - 30% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 30% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩5,647 ($4.97) | $7 | - 30% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩7,057 ($6) | $19 | - 67% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₩32,530 ($29) | $111 | - 74% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₩10,272 ($9) | $7 | + 32% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩8,076 ($7) | $3.51 | + 103% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩7,730 ($7) | $5.08 | + 34% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩3,061 ($2.69) | $3.44 | - 22% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩2,686 ($2.36) | $1.86 | + 27% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩18,295 ($16) | $20 | - 21% | |
| Entertainment | - 17% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 17% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩30,601 ($27) | $44 | - 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩20,654 ($18) | $25 | - 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩118,894 ($105) | $172 | - 39% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩60,511 ($53) | $79 | - 32% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩9,150 ($8) | $12 | - 30% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩4,929 ($4.34) | $4.86 | - 11% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩4,728 ($4.16) | $5.86 | - 29% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₩577,048 ($508) | $427 | + 19% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩382 ($0.34) | $0.34 | - 1% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩76,765 ($68) | $54 | + 26% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,500 ($3.96) | $8 | - 50% | |
| TOTAL | - 19% | |||
These prices were last updated on November 14, 2018.
Exchange rate:
0.00088
USD
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 93,852 prices entered by 13,929 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 19% cheaper than in United States
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