๐ธ Cost of Living in Korea (2025): Breakdown by Seoul, Busan & Daegu
Curious about how much it costs to live in Korea? This guide compares monthly expenses—including rent, food, utilities, transport—for Seoul, Busan, and Daegu to help you budget wisely.
๐ Contents
1. Overview of Monthly Costs (Without Rent)
Seoul: ≈ US$1 150–1 600 (~₩1.57–1.6 million) per month
Busan: ≈ US$1 118 (~₩1.52 million) per month
Daegu: ~8% cheaper than Busan (~US$1 030 / ₩1.4 million)
2. Rent & Utilities
Seoul: Studio rent (one-room officetel) is ~₩500,000–800,000/month, plus significant key-money deposit (jeonse) up to ₩50–100 million
Busan: Slightly cheaper than Seoul; one-room about ₩400,000–600,000/month
Daegu: About 7% more expensive rent & utilities vs. Busan, due to high demand in districts like Suseong
3. City‑by‑City Cost Comparison
| City | Living Costs (no rent) | Rent | Total w/ Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul | ₩1.57–1.6 M | ₩500k–800k | ₩2.1–2.4 M |
| Busan | ₩1.52 M | ₩400k–600k | ₩1.9–2.1 M |
| Daegu | ₩1.4 M | ₩350k–550k | ₩1.75–1.95 M |
These numbers cover food, transport, utilities—but not entertainment or shopping, which vary widely by lifestyle.
4. Money‑saving Tips
- Choose goshiwon or shared housing for cheaper monthly rent (<₩300k), but expect minimal space / shared facilities.
- Consider jeonse (key-money) lease: no monthly rent, but deposit of 50–80% of apartment value.
- Use a T‑money card for public transit—cheaper and convenient.
- Cook at home and eat from local markets to reduce food costs.
5. Learn Practical Korean
Want help understanding real-life expenses and negotiating in Korean? Book a lesson with me on italki and boost fluency with practical phrases!
