Cost of living in South Korea compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
| Food | + 18% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Korea is 18% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | ₩9,306 (£6) | £11 | - 46% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | ₩6,640 (£4.43) | £5.88 | - 25% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | ₩5,572 (£3.72) | £3.31 | + 12% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | ₩2,379 (£1.59) | £0.86 | + 85% | |
| 12 eggs, large | ₩4,906 (£3.27) | £2.47 | + 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | ₩6,485 (£4.33) | £2.08 | + 108% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | ₩10,773 (£7) | £4.09 | + 76% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | ₩5,720 (£3.82) | £1.92 | + 99% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | ₩3,678 (£2.45) | £0.90 | + 172% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | ₩2,177 (£1.45) | £1.71 | - 15% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | ₩24,217 (£16) | £8 | + 98% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | ₩2,771 (£1.85) | £1.95 | - 5% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | ₩2,899 (£1.93) | £0.97 | + 99% | |
| Housing | - 33% | |||
| Housing in South Korea is 33% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | ₩1,839,660 (£1,228) | £1,989 | - 38% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | ₩1,253,640 (£837) | £1,273 | - 34% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | ₩250,846 (£167) | £147 | + 14% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | ₩1,200,300 (£801) | £1,276 | - 37% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | ₩713,478 (£476) | £1,078 | - 56% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | ₩81,680 (£55) | £97 | - 44% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | ₩27,370 (£18) | £22 | - 17% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | ₩370,780 (£247) | £322 | - 23% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | ₩133,607 (£89) | £73 | + 21% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | ₩26,887 (£18) | £6 | + 189% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | ₩13,047 (£9) | £12 | - 27% | |
| Clothes | - 12% | |||
| Clothes in South Korea is 12% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | ₩41,844 (£28) | £70 | - 60% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | ₩52,250 (£35) | £33 | + 7% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | ₩92,681 (£62) | £75 | - 17% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | ₩173,054 (£115) | £78 | + 48% | |
| Transportation | - 37% | |||
| Transportation in South Korea is 37% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | ₩30,595,300 (£20,415) | £20,228 | + 1% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | ₩1,439 (£0.96) | £1.20 | - 20% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | ₩74,667 (£50) | £98 | - 49% | |
| Personal Care | + 18% | |||
| Personal Care in South Korea is 18% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | ₩6,377 (£4.26) | £3.19 | + 33% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | ₩7,390 (£4.93) | £9 | - 43% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | ₩96,192 (£64) | £81 | - 21% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | ₩17,569 (£12) | £3.41 | + 244% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | ₩8,130 (£5.42) | £1.58 | + 242% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | ₩8,324 (£5.55) | £3.36 | + 65% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | ₩1,815 (£1.21) | £1.83 | - 34% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | ₩2,204 (£1.47) | £1.46 | + 1% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | ₩17,384 (£12) | £14 | - 15% | |
| Entertainment | + 42% | |||
| Entertainment in South Korea is 42% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | ₩33,460 (£22) | £30 | - 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | ₩20,876 (£14) | £20 | - 30% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | ₩165,595 (£110) | £133 | - 17% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | ₩67,775 (£45) | £58 | - 22% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | ₩10,109 (£7) | £9 | - 23% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | ₩5,000 (£3.34) | £3.14 | + 6% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | ₩5,279 (£3.52) | £4.70 | - 25% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | ₩669,053 (£446) | £429 | + 4% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | ₩1,500 (£1.00) | £0.14 | + 610% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | ₩61,508 (£41) | £37 | + 11% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | ₩4,529 (£3.02) | £11 | - 73% | |
| TOTAL | - 14% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 19, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.00067
GBP
/
KRW
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 6,017 prices entered by 1,026 different people.
Cost of living in South Korea is 14% cheaper than in United Kingdom
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