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

Did you know that ...

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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