Cost of living in South Korea compared to Australia
Currency:
| Food | + 2% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is about the same as in Australia | ||||
| South Korea | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩11,049 (AU$13) | AU$23 | - 45% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩7,946 (AU$9) | AU$15 | - 37% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩7,420 (AU$9) | AU$7 | + 25% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,902 (AU$3.37) | AU$1.94 | + 74% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩6,285 (AU$7) | AU$7 | + 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩8,039 (AU$9) | AU$7 | + 39% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩7,984 (AU$9) | AU$10 | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩8,422 (AU$10) | AU$5.03 | + 95% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩4,900 (AU$5.69) | AU$3.67 | + 55% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,939 (AU$3.42) | AU$6 | - 45% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩20,791 (AU$24) | AU$20 | + 20% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩3,248 (AU$3.77) | AU$3.67 | + 3% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩4,247 (AU$4.94) | AU$3.04 | + 63% | |
| Housing | - 22% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 22% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| South Korea | Australia | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩3,572,230 (AU$4,152) | AU$3,871 | + 7% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩2,147,310 (AU$2,496) | AU$2,594 | - 4% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩240,148 (AU$279) | AU$216 | + 29% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩1,264,360 (AU$1,469) | AU$2,355 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩725,161 (AU$843) | AU$1,942 | - 57% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩80,000 (AU$93) | AU$163 | - 43% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩30,234 (AU$35) | AU$71 | - 50% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩433,362 (AU$504) | AU$535 | - 6% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩100,000 (AU$116) | AU$248 | - 53% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩16,029 (AU$19) | AU$17 | + 8% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩14,433 (AU$17) | AU$42 | - 60% | |
| Clothes | - 17% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 17% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| South Korea | Australia | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩85,819 (AU$100) | AU$125 | - 20% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩61,053 (AU$71) | AU$81 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩96,399 (AU$112) | AU$174 | - 36% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩148,450 (AU$173) | AU$191 | - 10% | |
| Transportation | - 37% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 37% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| South Korea | Australia | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩41,804,000 (AU$48,585) | AU$35,831 | + 36% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,740 (AU$2.02) | AU$1.99 | + 2% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩56,813 (AU$66) | AU$160 | - 59% | |
| Personal Care | + 39% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 39% more expensive than in Australia | ||||
| South Korea | Australia | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩7,985 (AU$9) | AU$8 | + 12% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩12,000 (AU$14) | AU$24 | - 42% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩52,552 (AU$61) | AU$83 | - 26% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩21,034 (AU$24) | AU$7 | + 244% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩15,000 (AU$17) | AU$5.15 | + 238% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩9,644 (AU$11) | AU$7 | + 52% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩3,593 (AU$4.18) | AU$4.19 | - 0% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩8,235 (AU$10) | AU$4.66 | + 106% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩17,167 (AU$20) | AU$32 | - 38% | |
| Entertainment | - 32% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 32% cheaper than in Australia | ||||
| South Korea | Australia | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩34,756 (AU$40) | AU$66 | - 39% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩27,450 (AU$32) | AU$42 | - 23% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩249,761 (AU$290) | AU$292 | - 1% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩69,455 (AU$81) | AU$120 | - 33% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩15,654 (AU$18) | AU$20 | - 10% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩5,510 (AU$6) | AU$5.31 | + 21% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩4,817 (AU$5.60) | AU$11 | - 48% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩757,033 (AU$880) | AU$883 | - 0% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩206 (AU$0.24) | AU$0.50 | - 52% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩98,667 (AU$115) | AU$75 | + 54% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,500 (AU$5.23) | AU$41 | - 87% | |
| TOTAL | - 20% | |||
These prices were last updated on September 24, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.00116
AUD
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,123 prices entered by 478 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 20% cheaper than in Australia
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