Cost of living comparison
South Korea is 29.7% cheaper than Washington.
- Restaurants
-
pay 57.7% less in South Korea
- Groceries
-
pay 21.4% more in South Korea
- Transportation
-
pay 25.4% less in South Korea
- Housing
-
pay 61.5% less in South Korea
- Childcare
-
pay 43.4% less in South Korea
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 40.7% less in South Korea
- Clothing
-
pay 0.9% less in South Korea
Expenses including housing, restaurants, childcare, entertainment and sports, transportation, and clothing are lower in South Korea.
If you lived in South Korea instead of Washington, you would:
pay 57.7% less for restaurants
|
Washington
|
South Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$20.67
|
$6.16
₩8,938
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$11.36
|
$5.24
₩7,602
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.69
|
$1.47
₩2,136
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.05
|
$0.79
₩1,149
|
|
pay 21.4% more for groceries
|
Washington
|
South Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$3.73
|
$3.08
₩4,464
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$6.70
|
$5.40
₩7,842
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$4.02
|
$7.46
₩10,823
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.61
|
$2.76
₩4,001
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$5.38
|
$3.32
₩4,819
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$2.19
|
$3.17
₩4,596
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.79
|
$1.49
₩2,160
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$1.91
|
$2.53
₩3,673
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$1.94
|
$2.41
₩3,503
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.21
|
$1.82
₩2,648
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$1.14
|
$1.21
₩1,755
|
|
pay 25.4% less for transportation
|
Washington
|
South Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$4.34
|
$4.39
₩6,374
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$62.97
|
$45.32
₩65,756
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$34,230.18
|
$27,023.07
₩39,211,820
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$17.60
|
$8.17
₩11,858
|
|
pay 61.5% less for housing
|
Washington
|
South Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$66.07
|
$17.65
₩25,617
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,678.49
|
$426.93
₩619,499
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,500.86
|
$328.41
₩476,544
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$139.02
|
$111.42
₩161,680
|
|
pay 43.4% less for childcare
|
Washington
|
South Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,651.91
|
$373.40
₩541,823
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$25,288.69
|
$22,907.58
₩33,240,037
|
|
pay 40.7% less for entertainment and sports
|
Washington
|
South Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$6.59
|
$3.09
₩4,490
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.24
|
$3.39
₩4,918
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$10.62
|
$3.21
₩4,664
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$56.78
|
$45.71
₩66,330
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$13.67
|
$10.10
₩14,653
|
|
pay 0.9% less for clothing
|
Washington
|
South Korea
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$52.46
|
$60.70
₩88,085
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$40.64
|
$44.52
₩64,604
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$85.80
|
$72.99
₩105,915
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$108.76
|
$93.73
₩136,007
|
|
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