Cost of Living in Seoul
South Korea
Monthly budget (single)
$2,400–$3,800/month
₩3,200,000 – ₩5,066,667 (local currency)
Last updated: 2026-03
Can you afford to live in Seoul?
Enter your monthly take-home in USD. We compare it to typical budgets for your household size (estimates, not financial advice).
Cost breakdown
| Category | USD | Local currency |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed, city center) | $1,800–$2,800 | ₩2,400,000 – ₩3,733,333 |
| Rent (1-bed, outside center) | $950–$1,500 | ₩1,266,667 – ₩2,000,000 |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water) | $75–$145 | ₩100,000 – ₩193,333 |
| Internet & Mobile | $30–$50 | ₩40,000 – ₩66,667 |
| Groceries (monthly) | $380–$570 | ₩506,667 – ₩760,000 |
| Eating out (per meal, mid-range) | $50–$90 | ₩66,667 – ₩120,000 |
| Coffee | $4–$6 | ₩5,333 – ₩8,000 |
| Public transport (monthly pass) | $95–$115 | ₩126,667 – ₩153,333 |
| Gym membership | $35–$65 | ₩46,667 – ₩86,667 |
| Cinema ticket | $14–$18 | ₩18,667 – ₩24,000 |
Budget scenarios
Single
$2,400–$3,800/mo USD
₩3,200,000 – ₩5,066,667
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,800/mo
- Groceries: ~$570/mo
- Transport: ~$115/mo
Couple
$3,800–$5,800/mo USD
₩5,066,667 – ₩7,733,333
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,800/mo
- Groceries: ~$570/mo
- Transport: ~$115/mo
Family
$5,500–$8,500/mo USD
₩7,333,333 – ₩11,333,333
Top expenses
- Rent (1-bed center): ~$2,800/mo
- Groceries: ~$570/mo
- Transport: ~$115/mo
Neighbourhood guide
Seoul Center
CentralUrban core, transit access
Est. 1-bed rent: $2,250–$3,500/mo (₩3,000,000 – ₩4,666,667)
Seoul Midtown
CentralMixed residential
Est. 1-bed rent: $1,980–$3,080/mo (₩2,640,000 – ₩4,106,667)
Seoul Outer
SuburbanQuieter, family-friendly
Est. 1-bed rent: $1,440–$2,240/mo (₩1,920,000 – ₩2,986,667)
Quality of life scores
Pros & cons
✅ Pros
- • Internet speed
- • Food
- • Healthcare
❌ Cons
- • Air quality
- • Pressure culture
Similar cities & cheaper alternatives
Similar cities
Cheaper alternatives
Compare Seoul with another city
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Estimates are for comparison only and do not constitute financial advice. Sources include our internal dataset and periodic third-party index updates.