MigrantoCost of living in South Korea
Average monthly spending, by standard of living, by category, and against other countries
Monthly cost
₩1,910,000
what a typical person spends
Spending by standard of living
₩850,000richest 20%
₩4,620,000
South Korea runs at the speed of Seoul, and the capital sets the price for nearly everything. It's a hard-working, consumer-minded country where the cost of living is high but not punishing — housing presses, yet not as relentlessly as in some of its neighbors. Comfortable and just-getting-by are not worlds apart here; the strain is moderate, and most of it gathers in the one city everyone seems to want to live in.
Where people spend money in South Korea
A South Korean budget spreads more evenly than you might expect. Housing is the largest single cost, but it doesn't dominate the way it does elsewhere in the region, which leaves groceries and transport as real lines rather than afterthoughts. Imported food can be surprisingly dear, while getting around stays efficient and fairly priced; the grocery bill is where a careful shopper feels the difference.
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What it costs to live in South Korea
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Cost of living in South Korea
₩850,000/mo
vs ₩1,210,000 in your country
Take-home
₩2,070,000
vs ₩1,820,000 in your country
Potential savings
₩1,230,000
more than in your country
Standard of living
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How living costs in South Korea compare
On the world stage South Korea lands in the upper tier, and across Asia it's firmly among the costlier places without sitting at the summit. What drives it is a dense, high-output economy concentrated in and around one capital, which keeps demand — and prices — keyed up. For anyone weighing it, the cost tracks the opportunity: a country that asks a lot and tends to pay it back in kind.
Data source: household consumption 2024 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2022 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
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Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in South Korea?
A typical person in South Korea spends about ₩1,910,000 a month — around ₩23,000,000 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
What is the cost of living in South Korea in US dollars?
The cost of living in South Korea is about $1,262 a month, or roughly $15,144 a year per person.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in South Korea?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about ₩850,000 a month per person, a typical one around ₩1,910,000, and a comfortable life around ₩2,650,000. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in South Korea?
The biggest expense is housing, at about ₩331,000 a month (17% of spending). Then come groceries (₩229,000, 12%) and transport (₩206,000, 11%).
Is the average salary in South Korea enough to live on?
Yes, with room to spare. Average spending is about ₩1,910,000 a month, while the average take-home pay in South Korea is about ₩4,330,000. For more on incomes, see salaries in South Korea.
Is South Korea an expensive country to live in?
Yes. South Korea is more expensive than 77% of countries worldwide and ranks 5th of 27 in Asia by cost of living.
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Living in South Korea
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