- Cost of Living
- South Korea
- United States
- Comparison
Cost of living in South Korea compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 2% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 2% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩8,786 ($8) | $14 | - 45% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (Big Mac Meal or similar) | ₩6,558 ($5.83) | $8 | - 23% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩4,610 ($4.10) | $4.52 | - 9% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,505 ($2.22) | $0.89 | + 150% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩3,709 ($3.29) | $3.19 | + 3% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩5,000 ($4.44) | $3.98 | + 11% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩10,856 ($10) | $6 | + 54% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩6,723 ($5.97) | $3.33 | + 79% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩5,317 ($4.72) | $1.61 | + 194% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,458 ($2.18) | $3.64 | - 40% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩20,617 ($18) | $15 | + 23% | |
| 2 liters of Coca-Cola | ₩2,668 ($2.37) | $1.92 | + 23% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩2,969 ($2.64) | $2.13 | + 24% | |
| Housing | - 42% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 42% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in EXPENSIVE area | ₩1,470,030 ($1,306) | $2,046 | - 36% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 Sqft) furnished accommodation in NORMAL area | ₩1,134,840 ($1,008) | $1,576 | - 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩146,543 ($130) | $177 | - 26% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in EXPENSIVE area | ₩882,325 ($784) | $1,584 | - 51% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 Sqft) furnished studio in NORMAL area | ₩570,318 ($507) | $1,128 | - 55% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 Sqft) studio | ₩108,724 ($97) | $119 | - 19% | |
| Internet 8 Mbps (1 month) | ₩26,238 ($23) | $48 | - 52% | |
| 40” flat screen TV | ₩512,162 ($455) | $328 | + 39% | |
| Microwave 800/900 Watt (Bosch, Panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩97,084 ($86) | $120 | - 28% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩11,442 ($10) | $11 | - 6% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩14,304 ($13) | $23 | - 44% | |
| Clothes | + 1% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 1% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) | ₩79,227 ($70) | $47 | + 49% | |
| 1 summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers) | ₩44,151 ($39) | $45 | - 12% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩96,357 ($86) | $86 | + 0% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩138,932 ($123) | $115 | + 8% | |
| Transportation | - 15% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 15% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩30,995,700 ($27,532) | $22,354 | + 23% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,534 ($1.36) | $0.78 | + 76% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩60,943 ($54) | $85 | - 36% | |
| Personal Care | - 26% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 26% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (Tylenol, Frenadol, Coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩5,647 ($5.02) | $7 | - 29% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩7,057 ($6) | $18 | - 66% | |
| Short visit to private Doctor (15 minutes) | ₩33,974 ($30) | $111 | - 73% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (Tampax, OB, ...) | ₩11,913 ($11) | $7 | + 55% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩7,145 ($6) | $3.48 | + 82% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩7,730 ($7) | $5.14 | + 34% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩3,084 ($2.74) | $3.47 | - 21% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩2,686 ($2.39) | $1.87 | + 28% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩17,154 ($15) | $21 | - 26% | |
| Entertainment | - 23% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 23% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩31,427 ($28) | $45 | - 38% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩20,366 ($18) | $25 | - 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩92,667 ($82) | $174 | - 53% | |
| Dinner for two at an Italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩56,926 ($51) | $79 | - 36% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩8,682 ($8) | $12 | - 34% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩5,126 ($4.55) | $4.89 | - 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩4,787 ($4.25) | $5.95 | - 29% | |
| iPad Wi-Fi 128GB | ₩577,048 ($513) | $422 | + 21% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩330 ($0.29) | $0.36 | - 20% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩69,123 ($61) | $53 | + 16% | |
| 1 package of Marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,516 ($4.01) | $8 | - 49% | |
| TOTAL | - 21% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 19, 2019.
Exchange rate:
0.00089
USD
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 90,662 prices entered by 12,988 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 21% cheaper than in United States
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