Cost of Living in South Korea
The population of South Korea is 51,466,201. The average cost of living in South Korea is $1993 and the median after-tax salary is $2010.65
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Restaurants |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
5.56 $ |
|
|
Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course |
34.75 $ |
|
|
McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) |
4.86 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) |
2.78 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
4.17 $ |
|
|
Cappuccino (regular) |
3.25 $ |
|
|
Coke/Pepsi (12 oz small bottle) |
1.24 $ |
|
|
Water (12 oz small bottle) |
0.65 $ |
|
|
Markets |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Milk (regular), (1 gallon) |
1.82 $ |
|
|
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) |
2.3 $ |
|
|
Rice (white), (1 lb) |
3.22 $ |
|
|
Eggs (regular) (12) |
2.91 $ |
|
|
Local Cheese (1 lb) |
12.49 $ |
|
|
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) |
8.13 $ |
|
|
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) |
28.53 $ |
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
5.73 $ |
|
|
Banana (1 lb) |
3.09 $ |
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
4.92 $ |
|
|
Tomato (1 lb) |
5.04 $ |
|
|
Potato (1 lb) |
3.18 $ |
|
|
Onion (1 lb) |
2.36 $ |
|
|
Lettuce (1 head) |
2.05 $ |
|
|
Water (1.5 liter bottle) |
0.96 $ |
|
|
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) |
13.9 $ |
|
|
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) |
1.85 $ |
|
|
Imported Beer (12 oz small bottle) |
2.19 $ |
|
|
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) |
3.13 $ |
|
|
Transportation |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) |
0.9 $ |
|
|
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) |
38.22 $ |
|
|
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) |
2.43 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1 mile (Normal Tariff) |
0.69 $ |
|
|
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) |
8.34 $ |
|
|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
1.22 $ |
|
|
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) |
24545.84 $ |
|
|
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) |
21911.65 $ |
|
|
Utilities (Monthly) |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment |
127.06 $ |
|
|
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) |
0.15 $ |
|
|
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) |
19.3 $ |
|
|
Sports And Leisure |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult |
42.31 $ |
|
|
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) |
16.69 $ |
|
|
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat |
8.34 $ |
|
|
Childcare |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child |
325.01 $ |
|
|
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child |
18484.27 $ |
|
|
Clothing And Shoes |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) |
50.47 $ |
|
|
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, ...) |
36.18 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) |
65.02 $ |
|
|
1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes |
95.42 $ |
|
|
Rent Per Month |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre |
445.59 $ |
|
|
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre |
309.71 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre |
1100.29 $ |
|
|
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre |
723.08 $ |
|
|
Buy Apartment Price |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre |
13976.44 $ |
|
|
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre |
7599.99 $ |
|
|
Salaries And Financing |
Price |
World Range |
|---|---|---|
|
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) |
2010.65 $ |
|
|
Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate |
3.52 % |
|
South Korea
OVERALL RISK: LOW
South Korea is overall, very safe and you will probably encounter no problems when traveling there. Still, do not let your guard down and be vigilant at all times.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Tourists are exposed to risk whenever crossing the street since in South Korea risky behavior is common when it comes to traffic. The Republic of Korea has one of the highest rates of traffic deaths for a developed country. Check the road twice before crossing the street. Also, watch out for taxi drivers trying to overcharge you: it is recommended to refrain from using unofficial taxes.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
Since South Korea is a somewhat popular tourist destination, it is expected that pickpockets operate in larger cities. Petty theft is the most common form of crime in South Korea, but following basic precautions, rules should take care of this issue.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
When it comes to natural disasters, South Korea has had a history of earthquakes, but most of them caused little damage. Another issue when it comes to natural disasters is typhoons that may occur in August and September, as well as tsunamis.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
South Korea is safe when it comes to mugging or kidnapping, though precaution is still advised. Avoid poorly lit streets and areas, and people offering you free drinks.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Even though there haven't been any terrorist attacks in South Korea's recent history, there is heightened tension between South and North Korea, so precaution is recommended.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
There is a risk of someone scamming you in South Korea since there are a lot of scammers and con artists on the streets of this country. The most notable among them is the Teahouse scam with girls saying to tourists that they want to practice conversing in English, which usually ends in a teahouse with a huge bill. Other forms of scams are mostly overcharging in cafes and restaurants, with a separate menu just for tourists.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
South Korea is a safe destination for women traveling solo, but it is still advised that unaccompanied women take extra precaution measures, avoid poorly lit and secluded areas, etc.
Visas
Regulations and conditions concerning visa and entry into the state of South Korea regularly change, so it is best to get informed at the moment of planning a trip to this country. Foreigners are finger-printed upon arrival in the Republic of Korea. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your intended date of departure from South Korea. If you are not sure about your visa status, visit www.doyouneedvisa.com which will let you know whether or not you need a visa based on your nationality and the country you want to visit.
Currency
South Korean Won is the official currency of South Korea. It may not be the best idea to exchange money in the street exchange offices. Your best bet when exchanging money is either an official bank office or withdrawing money from an ATM.
Weather
South Korea has a temperate climate characterized by four distinct seasons. Winters are usually long, cold and dry, summers are very short and hot, with lots of humidity, and spring is actually the most pleasant time to visit South Korea. Autumn is also pleasant but like spring and summer, short in duration.
Airports
Incheon International Airport is the largest airport in South Korea and also one of the largest and busiest airports in the world. It is located west of Incheon's city center, on an artificially created piece of land between Yeongjong and Yongyu Islands.
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to South Korea, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.