Cost of living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (United States) is about the same as in Gwangju (South Korea)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 228 prices entered by 41 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
Food | + 61% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Food in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (United States) is 61% more expensive than in Gwangju (South Korea) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Gwangju | Diff | ||
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $20 (₩25,299) | ₩9,317 | + 172% | |
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $9 (₩11,568) | ₩6,285 | + 84% | |
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $7 (₩9,084) | ₩4,508 | + 102% | |
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.23 (₩1,579) | ₩2,493 | - 37% | |
12 eggs, large | $3.20 (₩4,097) | ₩4,277 | - 4% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $5.68 (₩7,278) | ₩3,000 | + 143% | |
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (₩8,428) | ₩7,161 | + 18% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.95 (₩6,333) | ₩6,693 | - 5% | |
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $3.21 (₩4,107) | ₩4,487 | - 8% | |
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $2.69 (₩3,448) | ₩1,756 | + 96% | |
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (₩19,261) | ₩20,000 | - 4% | |
2 liters of coca-cola | $3.42 (₩4,373) | ₩2,398 | + 82% | |
Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.55 (₩4,539) | ₩3,008 | + 51% | |
Housing | + 278% | |||
Housing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (United States) is 278% more expensive than in Gwangju (South Korea) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Gwangju | Diff | ||
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,067 (₩3,926,391) | ₩598,305 | + 556% | |
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,133 (₩2,730,824) | ₩397,436 | + 587% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $142 (₩182,104) | ₩90,769 | + 101% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,956 (₩2,504,082) | ₩610,204 | + 310% | |
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,369 (₩1,752,527) | ₩400,000 | + 338% | |
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $110 (₩141,058) | ₩50,000 | + 182% | |
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $66 (₩84,266) | ₩25,000 | + 237% | |
40” flat screen tv | $260 (₩333,202) | - | - | |
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $84 (₩107,185) | - | - | |
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $9 (₩11,426) | ₩10,513 | + 9% | |
Hourly rate for cleaning help | $27 (₩35,023) | - | - | |
Clothes | + 43% | |||
Clothes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (United States) is 43% more expensive than in Gwangju (South Korea) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Gwangju | Diff | ||
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $49 (₩63,259) | - | - | |
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $39 (₩49,817) | ₩27,832 | + 79% | |
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $90 (₩115,205) | ₩92,308 | + 25% | |
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $126 (₩160,820) | ₩80,000 | + 101% | |
Transportation | - 55% | |||
Transportation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (United States) is 55% cheaper than in Gwangju (South Korea) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Gwangju | Diff | ||
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $28,393 (₩36,352,354) | - | - | |
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.04 (₩1,326) | ₩1,446 | - 8% | |
Monthly ticket public transport | $96 (₩123,312) | ₩366,667 | - 66% | |
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $31 (₩39,560) | ₩10,789 | + 267% | |
Personal Care | - 7% | |||
Personal Care in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (United States) is 7% cheaper than in Gwangju (South Korea) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Gwangju | Diff | ||
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 (₩10,569) | ₩10,000 | + 6% | |
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $19 (₩24,136) | - | - | |
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $64 (₩81,959) | ₩50,000 | + 64% | |
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 (₩10,379) | - | - | |
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $2.75 (₩3,517) | ₩11,250 | - 69% | |
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $6 (₩8,264) | ₩5,000 | + 65% | |
4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.06 (₩5,204) | ₩5,300 | - 2% | |
Tube of toothpaste | $1.97 (₩2,519) | ₩2,000 | + 26% | |
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $32 (₩40,518) | ₩12,025 | + 237% | |
Entertainment | + 58% | |||
Entertainment in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (United States) is 58% more expensive than in Gwangju (South Korea) | ||||
Update prices | Update prices | |||
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Gwangju | Diff | ||
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $40 (₩51,193) | ₩26,164 | + 96% | |
2 tickets to the movies | $27 (₩34,971) | ₩17,828 | + 96% | |
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $201 (₩257,304) | - | - | |
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $73 (₩93,298) | ₩40,000 | + 133% | |
1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $13 (₩16,979) | ₩7,000 | + 143% | |
Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.51 (₩5,772) | ₩4,435 | + 30% | |
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $6 (₩7,721) | ₩3,380 | + 128% | |
Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $313 (₩400,312) | - | - | |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.18 (₩230) | - | - | |
1 month of gym membership in business district | $50 (₩63,642) | ₩42,000 | + 52% | |
1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $12 (₩15,147) | ₩3,144 | + 382% | |
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TOTAL | + 3% |

These prices were last updated on March 23, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1280.310
KRW
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least ₩1,800,205 ($1,406) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with ₩1,740,000 in Gwangju.
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