Cost of living in South Korea compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 12% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 12% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Korea | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩9,728 ($7) | $19 | - 60% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩7,824 ($6) | $10 | - 40% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩7,138 ($5.48) | $5.78 | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,881 ($2.21) | $1.08 | + 104% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩6,434 ($4.94) | $4.95 | - 0% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩8,039 ($6) | $4.70 | + 31% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩7,984 ($6) | $7 | - 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩8,424 ($6) | $4.66 | + 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩4,900 ($3.76) | $2.49 | + 51% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,924 ($2.24) | $3.12 | - 28% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩20,791 ($16) | $16 | + 0% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩3,925 ($3.01) | $2.77 | + 9% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩4,099 ($3.14) | $2.98 | + 6% | |
| Housing | - 35% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 35% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Korea | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩3,727,990 ($2,860) | $2,823 | + 1% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩2,236,600 ($1,716) | $2,138 | - 20% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩272,954 ($209) | $220 | - 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩1,069,890 ($821) | $1,886 | - 56% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩733,814 ($563) | $1,441 | - 61% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩120,000 ($92) | $146 | - 37% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩30,234 ($23) | $64 | - 64% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩219,090 ($168) | $295 | - 43% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩100,000 ($77) | $133 | - 43% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩16,029 ($12) | $14 | - 9% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩14,433 ($11) | $31 | - 65% | |
| Clothes | + 2% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is about the same as in United States | ||||
| South Korea | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩82,132 ($63) | $54 | + 17% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩61,053 ($47) | $45 | + 4% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩94,430 ($72) | $93 | - 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩148,450 ($114) | $119 | - 4% | |
| Transportation | - 25% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 25% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Korea | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩41,461,500 ($31,809) | $27,910 | + 14% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,846 ($1.42) | $1.05 | + 35% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩56,684 ($43) | $79 | - 45% | |
| Personal Care | - 16% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 16% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Korea | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩7,985 ($6) | $8 | - 25% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩12,000 ($9) | $21 | - 57% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩42,086 ($32) | $140 | - 77% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩21,034 ($16) | $8 | + 91% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩15,000 ($12) | $4.80 | + 140% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩9,644 ($7) | $6 | + 18% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩3,593 ($2.76) | $4.72 | - 42% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩8,235 ($6) | $2.25 | + 181% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩12,817 ($10) | $27 | - 63% | |
| Entertainment | - 26% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 26% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Korea | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩32,969 ($25) | $55 | - 54% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩28,078 ($22) | $28 | - 22% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩270,239 ($207) | $195 | + 6% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩67,904 ($52) | $89 | - 42% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩15,654 ($12) | $14 | - 11% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩5,405 ($4.15) | $5.21 | - 20% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩4,618 ($3.54) | $6 | - 43% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩780,501 ($599) | $554 | + 8% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩207 ($0.16) | $0.21 | - 24% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩84,504 ($65) | $54 | + 20% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,500 ($3.45) | $10 | - 66% | |
| TOTAL | - 24% | |||
These prices were last updated on June 07, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00077
USD
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 22,057 prices entered by 2,875 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 24% cheaper than in United States
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