Cost of living in South Korea compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 8% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 8% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Korea | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩9,112 ($7) | $17 | - 59% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩6,337 ($4.98) | $9 | - 45% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩5,987 ($4.71) | $5.07 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,684 ($2.11) | $0.99 | + 114% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩5,919 ($4.66) | $3.35 | + 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩7,571 ($5.95) | $4.43 | + 35% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩15,097 ($12) | $7 | + 72% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩8,246 ($6) | $3.91 | + 66% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩3,232 ($2.54) | $1.92 | + 32% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,750 ($2.16) | $3.28 | - 34% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩21,608 ($17) | $16 | + 8% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩3,192 ($2.51) | $2.26 | + 11% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩3,056 ($2.40) | $2.46 | - 2% | |
| Housing | - 34% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 34% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Korea | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩2,924,960 ($2,301) | $2,515 | - 9% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩1,518,680 ($1,194) | $1,960 | - 39% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩404,245 ($318) | $204 | + 56% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩1,170,520 ($921) | $1,778 | - 48% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩778,808 ($613) | $1,342 | - 54% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩86,783 ($68) | $139 | - 51% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩28,579 ($22) | $56 | - 60% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩312,531 ($246) | $300 | - 18% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩89,516 ($70) | $135 | - 48% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩13,315 ($10) | $12 | - 15% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩18,786 ($15) | $26 | - 44% | |
| Clothes | - 10% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 10% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Korea | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩69,705 ($55) | $51 | + 7% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩52,630 ($41) | $46 | - 10% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩89,867 ($71) | $92 | - 23% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩127,854 ($101) | $120 | - 16% | |
| Transportation | - 21% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 21% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Korea | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩34,648,000 ($27,252) | $25,474 | + 7% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,700 ($1.34) | $1.06 | + 26% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩61,330 ($48) | $77 | - 37% | |
| Personal Care | - 20% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 20% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Korea | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩16,011 ($13) | $7 | + 69% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩4,500 ($3.54) | $19 | - 81% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩20,000 ($16) | $125 | - 87% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩21,034 ($17) | $7 | + 122% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩10,694 ($8) | $4.17 | + 102% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩5,744 ($4.52) | $5.50 | - 18% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩5,884 ($4.63) | $4.18 | + 11% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩3,228 ($2.54) | $2.05 | + 24% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩17,797 ($14) | $25 | - 45% | |
| Entertainment | - 21% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 21% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| South Korea | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩29,483 ($23) | $49 | - 53% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩22,915 ($18) | $27 | - 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩273,150 ($215) | $196 | + 10% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩65,687 ($52) | $83 | - 38% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩40,981 ($32) | $13 | + 152% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩6,037 ($4.75) | $5.19 | - 8% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩3,945 ($3.10) | $6 | - 51% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩688,756 ($542) | $499 | + 8% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩150 ($0.12) | $0.17 | - 30% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩68,568 ($54) | $53 | + 2% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,500 ($3.54) | $9 | - 61% | |
| TOTAL | - 23% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 18, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.00079
USD
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 16,602 prices entered by 2,692 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 23% cheaper than in United States
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