Cost of living in South Korea compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | + 8% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 8% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩9,333 ($8) | $14 | - 47% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩6,509 ($5.39) | $8 | - 31% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩6,201 ($5.14) | $4.32 | + 19% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,610 ($2.16) | $0.87 | + 147% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩3,973 ($3.29) | $3.01 | + 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩6,606 ($5.47) | $4.07 | + 34% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩10,909 ($9) | $6 | + 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩8,939 ($7) | $3.37 | + 120% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩5,079 ($4.21) | $1.73 | + 143% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,476 ($2.05) | $3.22 | - 36% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩25,498 ($21) | $15 | + 44% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩2,754 ($2.28) | $1.92 | + 19% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩3,148 ($2.61) | $2.08 | + 26% | |
| Housing | - 44% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 44% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩1,495,100 ($1,239) | $2,233 | - 45% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩1,111,570 ($921) | $1,605 | - 43% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩252,074 ($209) | $178 | + 17% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩634,731 ($526) | $1,614 | - 67% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩569,700 ($472) | $1,140 | - 59% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩113,814 ($94) | $116 | - 19% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩30,841 ($26) | $48 | - 47% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩512,722 ($425) | $300 | + 42% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩113,954 ($94) | $121 | - 22% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩10,470 ($9) | $11 | - 20% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩19,321 ($16) | $22 | - 29% | |
| Clothes | + 15% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 15% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩69,249 ($57) | $49 | + 18% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩58,737 ($49) | $44 | + 11% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩110,750 ($92) | $87 | + 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩193,166 ($160) | $114 | + 40% | |
| Transportation | - 8% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 8% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩35,224,500 ($29,182) | $22,966 | + 27% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,474 ($1.22) | $0.77 | + 58% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩70,368 ($58) | $80 | - 27% | |
| Personal Care | - 20% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 20% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩5,944 ($4.92) | $7 | - 32% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩7,390 ($6) | $20 | - 70% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩20,000 ($17) | $110 | - 85% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩18,944 ($16) | $7 | + 139% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩8,772 ($7) | $3.51 | + 107% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩10,077 ($8) | $5.02 | + 66% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩3,335 ($2.76) | $3.53 | - 22% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩2,422 ($2.01) | $1.83 | + 10% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩13,449 ($11) | $22 | - 49% | |
| Entertainment | - 29% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 29% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩30,440 ($25) | $45 | - 44% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩21,000 ($17) | $25 | - 29% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩109,875 ($91) | $221 | - 59% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩61,177 ($51) | $75 | - 33% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩12,044 ($10) | $12 | - 15% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩4,823 ($4.00) | $4.81 | - 17% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩5,159 ($4.27) | $5.84 | - 27% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩579,003 ($480) | $405 | + 18% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩146 ($0.12) | $0.19 | - 35% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩59,864 ($50) | $54 | - 8% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,578 ($3.79) | $8 | - 53% | |
| TOTAL | - 21% | |||
These prices were last updated on February 23, 2020.
Exchange rate:
0.00083
USD
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 51,777 prices entered by 6,596 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 21% cheaper than in United States
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