Cost of living comparison
South Korea is 27.0% cheaper than United States overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 54.4% less in South Korea
- Groceries
-
pay 17.9% more in South Korea
- Transportation
-
pay 19.3% less in South Korea
- Housing
-
pay 62.5% less in South Korea
- Childcare
-
pay 34.8% less in South Korea
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 36.0% less in South Korea
- Clothing
-
pay 0.1% less in South Korea
Expenses including housing, restaurants, entertainment and sports, childcare, transportation, and clothing are lower in South Korea.
If you lived in South Korea instead of United States, you would:
pay 54.4% less for restaurants
|
United States
|
South Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$18.59
|
$6.16
₩8,754
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$10.47
|
$5.24
₩7,446
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.50
|
$1.47
₩2,092
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$1.96
|
$0.79
₩1,125
|
|
pay 17.9% more for groceries
|
United States
|
South Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$3.49
|
$3.08
₩4,372
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$6.33
|
$5.40
₩7,681
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$3.91
|
$7.46
₩10,600
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.56
|
$2.76
₩3,919
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$5.16
|
$3.32
₩4,719
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$2.33
|
$3.17
₩4,502
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.78
|
$1.49
₩2,116
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.00
|
$2.53
₩3,598
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.16
|
$2.41
₩3,431
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.34
|
$1.82
₩2,594
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$1.38
|
$1.21
₩1,719
|
|
pay 19.3% less for transportation
|
United States
|
South Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$3.61
|
$4.39
₩6,243
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$65.15
|
$45.32
₩64,403
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$31,583.67
|
$27,023.07
₩38,404,776
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$17.81
|
$8.17
₩11,614
|
|
pay 62.5% less for housing
|
United States
|
South Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$67.50
|
$17.65
₩25,090
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,655.99
|
$426.93
₩606,749
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,423.40
|
$328.41
₩466,736
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$148.34
|
$111.42
₩158,352
|
|
pay 34.8% less for childcare
|
United States
|
South Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,351.84
|
$373.40
₩530,672
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$22,265.44
|
$22,907.58
₩32,555,903
|
|
pay 36.0% less for entertainment and sports
|
United States
|
South Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$5.78
|
$3.09
₩4,397
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.04
|
$3.39
₩4,817
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$9.68
|
$3.21
₩4,568
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$50.84
|
$45.71
₩64,964
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$13.30
|
$10.10
₩14,352
|
|
pay 0.1% less for clothing
|
United States
|
South Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$50.38
|
$60.70
₩86,272
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$40.66
|
$44.52
₩63,275
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$85.52
|
$72.99
₩103,736
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$111.08
|
$93.73
₩133,208
|
|
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