Cost of living in United States compared to South Korea
Currency:
| Food | + 33% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 33% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $22 (₩31,577) | ₩11,447 | + 176% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (₩17,536) | ₩8,463 | + 107% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.80 (₩8,488) | ₩6,487 | + 31% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.10 (₩1,614) | ₩3,005 | - 46% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.26 (₩7,691) | ₩4,131 | + 86% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.85 (₩7,100) | ₩7,882 | - 10% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (₩10,706) | ₩8,410 | + 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.27 (₩6,246) | ₩9,989 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.31 (₩3,385) | ₩4,206 | - 20% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.56 (₩5,212) | ₩3,648 | + 43% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $18 (₩25,824) | ₩29,378 | - 12% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.92 (₩4,271) | ₩2,506 | + 70% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.15 (₩4,605) | ₩4,400 | + 5% | |
| Housing | + 66% | |||
| Housing in United States is 66% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,242 (₩4,743,967) | ₩3,503,830 | + 35% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,444 (₩3,575,763) | ₩1,911,090 | + 87% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $229 (₩335,488) | - | - | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,252 (₩3,295,552) | ₩1,369,270 | + 141% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,652 (₩2,417,127) | ₩776,874 | + 211% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $163 (₩239,154) | ₩542,787 | - 56% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $62 (₩90,132) | ₩29,901 | + 201% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $252 (₩369,211) | ₩800,000 | - 54% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $144 (₩210,089) | ₩150,000 | + 40% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $15 (₩21,314) | ₩14,795 | + 44% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $34 (₩50,125) | ₩30,000 | + 67% | |
| Clothes | + 12% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 12% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $58 (₩85,255) | ₩85,683 | - 1% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $51 (₩74,955) | ₩66,207 | + 13% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $105 (₩153,639) | ₩117,681 | + 31% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $142 (₩207,054) | ₩172,946 | + 20% | |
| Transportation | + 65% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 65% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $30,848 (₩45,133,254) | ₩35,630,100 | + 27% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.95 (₩1,383) | ₩1,683 | - 18% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $87 (₩127,088) | ₩60,660 | + 110% | |
| Personal Care | + 29% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 29% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 (₩12,950) | ₩9,000 | + 44% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $21 (₩30,117) | ₩10,000 | + 201% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $164 (₩239,745) | ₩200,000 | + 20% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 (₩13,390) | ₩17,379 | - 23% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $5.28 (₩7,724) | ₩11,250 | - 31% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (₩9,959) | ₩10,000 | - 0% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $5.13 (₩7,508) | ₩2,000 | + 275% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.31 (₩3,383) | ₩3,239 | + 4% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $31 (₩45,246) | ₩17,429 | + 160% | |
| Entertainment | + 92% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 92% more expensive than in South Korea | ||||
| United States | South Korea | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $61 (₩89,001) | ₩51,145 | + 74% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $30 (₩44,317) | ₩30,000 | + 48% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $226 (₩330,108) | ₩40,000 | + 725% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $104 (₩151,605) | ₩68,634 | + 121% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $15 (₩21,794) | ₩15,000 | + 45% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.86 (₩8,580) | ₩5,270 | + 63% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 (₩10,995) | ₩4,894 | + 125% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $482 (₩704,868) | ₩1,089,690 | - 35% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.53 (₩773) | ₩240 | + 222% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $72 (₩104,976) | ₩74,234 | + 41% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $11 (₩16,692) | ₩4,500 | + 271% | |
| TOTAL | + 58% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 27, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1463.090
KRW
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 16,738 prices entered by 2,038 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 58% more expensive than in South Korea
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