Cost of living comparison
United States is 86.8% more expensive than South Korea overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 2.3 times more in United States
- Groceries
-
pay 4.7% less in United States
- Transportation
-
pay 40.2% more in United States
- Housing
-
pay 3.3 times more in United States
- Childcare
-
pay 2.3 times more in United States
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 75.9% more in United States
- Clothing
-
pay 2.5% more in United States
The cost of housing, restaurants, childcare, entertainment and sports, transportation, and clothing in United States are more expensive than in South Korea. Notably, housing, restaurants, and childcare are significantly more expensive in United States.
If you lived in United States instead of South Korea, you would:
pay 2.3 times more for restaurants
|
South Korea
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$6.16
₩8,412
|
$18.59
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$5.24
₩7,155
|
$10.47
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$1.47
₩2,010
|
$2.50
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$0.79
₩1,081
|
$1.96
|
|
pay 4.7% less for groceries
|
South Korea
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$3.08
₩4,202
|
$3.49
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$5.40
₩7,381
|
$6.33
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$7.46
₩10,186
|
$3.91
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$2.76
₩3,766
|
$3.56
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$3.32
₩4,535
|
$5.16
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$3.17
₩4,326
|
$2.33
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$1.49
₩2,033
|
$0.78
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.53
₩3,457
|
$2.00
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.41
₩3,297
|
$2.16
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.82
₩2,492
|
$1.34
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$1.21
₩1,652
|
$1.38
|
|
pay 40.2% more for transportation
|
South Korea
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$4.39
₩5,999
|
$3.61
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$45.32
₩61,890
|
$65.15
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$27,023.07
₩36,906,200
|
$31,583.67
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$8.17
₩11,160
|
$17.81
|
|
pay 3.3 times more for housing
|
South Korea
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$17.65
₩24,111
|
$67.50
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$426.93
₩583,073
|
$1,655.99
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$328.41
₩448,524
|
$1,423.40
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$111.42
₩152,173
|
$148.34
|
|
pay 2.3 times more for childcare
|
South Korea
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$373.40
₩509,964
|
$1,351.84
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$22,907.58
₩31,285,553
|
$22,265.44
|
|
pay 75.9% more for entertainment and sports
|
South Korea
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$3.09
₩4,226
|
$5.78
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$3.39
₩4,629
|
$5.04
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$3.21
₩4,389
|
$9.68
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$45.71
₩62,429
|
$50.84
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$10.10
₩13,792
|
$13.30
|
|
pay 2.5% more for clothing
|
South Korea
|
United States
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$60.70
₩82,906
|
$50.38
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$44.52
₩60,806
|
$40.66
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$72.99
₩99,688
|
$85.52
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$93.73
₩128,010
|
$111.08
|
|
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