Cost of living in Seoul, South Korea

Summary of cost of living in Seoul

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: $4,188 (₩5,956,579)
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: $2,243 (₩3,190,410)
  • Cost of living in Seoul is more expensive than in 78% of cities in Asia (3 out of 9)
  • Cost of living in Seoul is more expensive than in 52% of cities in the World (69 out of 143)
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List of prices in Seoul
Current as of May 2025.

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Exchange rate: 0.00070 USD / KRW
↩ Change back to show only in KRW (Won)
Food Update prices
KRW USD
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district ₩10,091 ($7)
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) ₩8,040 ($5.65)
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast ₩6,544 ($4.60)
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk ₩2,853 ($2.01)
12 eggs, large ₩5,621 ($3.95)
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes ₩5,561 ($3.91)
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese ₩9,987 ($7)
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples ₩9,617 ($7)
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes ₩5,234 ($3.68)
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket ₩2,510 ($1.76)
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality ₩20,548 ($14)
2 liters of coca-cola ₩2,555 ($1.80)
Bread for 2 people for 1 day ₩2,341 ($1.65)
Housing Update prices
KRW USD
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area ₩2,981,720 ($2,097)
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area ₩1,610,870 ($1,133)
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat ₩255,350 ($180)
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area ₩1,225,360 ($862)
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area ₩673,071 ($473)
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio ₩97,433 ($69)
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) ₩21,786 ($15)
40” flat screen tv ₩322,328 ($227)
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) ₩96,439 ($68)
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) ₩7,460 ($5.25)
Hourly rate for cleaning help ₩12,825 ($9)
Clothes Update prices
KRW USD
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) ₩77,799 ($55)
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) ₩55,938 ($39)
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) ₩94,363 ($66)
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes ₩130,675 ($92)
Transportation Update prices
KRW USD
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new ₩32,694,000 ($22,989)
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas ₩1,619 ($1.14)
Monthly ticket public transport ₩60,802 ($43)
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) ₩11,330 ($8)
Personal Care Update prices
KRW USD
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) ₩4,505 ($3.17)
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) ₩6,428 ($4.52)
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) ₩51,554 ($36)
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) ₩13,623 ($10)
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) ₩4,617 ($3.25)
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) ₩6,176 ($4.34)
4 rolls of toilet paper ₩5,439 ($3.82)
Tube of toothpaste ₩2,051 ($1.44)
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city ₩30,917 ($22)
Entertainment Update prices
KRW USD
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub ₩27,688 ($19)
2 tickets to the movies ₩28,022 ($20)
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) ₩147,062 ($103)
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert ₩69,904 ($49)
1 cocktail drink in downtown club ₩10,254 ($7)
Cappuccino in expat area of the city ₩5,430 ($3.82)
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) ₩4,835 ($3.40)
Ipad wi-fi 128gb ₩576,076 ($405)
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) ₩2,073 ($1.46)
1 month of gym membership in business district ₩61,346 ($43)
1 package of marlboro cigarettes ₩4,500 ($3.16)
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 1,946 prices entered by 88 different people.
Latest price update: May 15, 2025

Moving to Seoul with your children?

International Schools in Seoul

Seoul position in our World Ranking

the world
69th
out of 143
asia
3rd
out of 9

Cheapest and most expensive products in Seoul compared to other cities:

the world
2nd
the world
3rd
the world
4th
asia
1st
asia
1st
asia
1st

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International Cost of Living Index

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