Prices and Cost of Living in South Korea

Food and beverage prices in South Korea

Popular food products found on store shelves in South Korea include bananas, rice, bread, onions, eggs, tomatoes, cheese, beef and potatoes, among others. Prices for a kilo of these products range from 3955 KRW (2.84 USD) for a kilo of onions to 46490 KRW (33.34 USD) for a kilo of beef. The price of white rice is 4254 KRW (3.05 USD) per kilo, while a loaf of fresh white bread costs 4616 KRW (3.31 USD) per half kilo. Bananas cost 4809 KRW (3.45 USD) per kilo, while apples cost 10735 KRW (7.7 USD) per kilo.

Water, available in 1.5-liter bottles, costs 1766 KRW (1.27 USD). Dairy prices in South Korea, on the other hand, are as follows: 1 liter of milk costs about 2985 KRW (2.14 USD), and 1 kilogram of locally produced cheese is an expense of 19480 KRW (13.97 USD). Chicken filet, which is a common ingredient in meat dishes, costs in the range of 14761 KRW (10.59 USD) per kilo. Eggs (12 pieces per package) are an expense of about 4282 KRW (3.07 USD), and the average price of tomatoes is 8905 KRW (6.39 USD) per kilo.

What is the typical cost for an affordable meal?

Prices in restaurants in South Korea vary and depend on several factors, such as the type of restaurant, location and time of day. For instance, a Cappuccino typically costs around 5258 KRW (3.77 USD), while a 0.33-liter bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is priced at approximately 2303 KRW (1.65 USD). At a fast-food restaurant such as McDonald's, you can expect to pay 8900 KRW (6.38 USD) for a meal, whereas a meal for two at a mid-range restaurant could cost around 80000 KRW (57.38 USD). Budget-friendly dining options are also available, with some restaurants offering meals for as little as 12000 KRW (8.61 USD).

How much does transportation cost in South Korea?

The average expense of a one-way trip using local transportation stands at approximately 1500 KRW (1.08 USD), while a monthly ticket for public transportation has an average cost of roughly 63000 KRW (45.18 USD). Choosing to travel by taxi would entail an initial fee of 4800 KRW (3.44 USD), along with a per-kilometer charge of 1100 KRW (0.79 USD).

Fuel prices in South Korea

Average fuel prices in South Korea are 1762 KRW (1.26 USD) per liter of gasoline and 1619 KRW (1.16 USD) per liter of diesel. A liter of LPG autogas costs 1138 KRW (0.82 USD).

How much does it cost to rent an apartment in South Korea?

The cost of renting or buying an apartment in South Korea varies according to its location. On average, renting an apartment with one bedroom and a living room outside the city center costs approximately 798865 KRW (573 USD) per month, while the same type of apartment in the city center can cost around 1362110 KRW (977 USD) per month. In comparison, the purchase price of an apartment in the city center is 30648400 KRW (21981 USD) per square meter.