Travel budget and cost of living in South Korea how much does a trip cost?
Are you planning to go to South Korea and need to budget for your trip? On this page you can see sample prices. This enables you to get to grips with actual prices and the cost of living in South Korea. Then, why not use our free tool to calculate your South Korea travel budget.
Travel budget in South Korea
South Korea: calculate your travel budget
South Korea: sample budgets by traveller type
These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in South Korea for 2 people.
Low budget
(backpacker)
Daily budget:
- $ 44 for 2 ppl.
- $ 12 per person
- $ 4.3 per person
- Free activities
Total budget:
$ 1058* (1467228 ₩)
Average budget
(traveller)
Daily budget:
- $ 79 for 2 ppl.
- $ 21 per person
- $ 8.6 per person
- $ 11 per person
Total budget:
$ 2222* (3083304 ₩)
High budget
(tourist)
Daily budget:
- $ 104 for 2 ppl.
- $ 35 per person
- $ 16 per person
- $ 22 per person
Total budget:
$ 3453* (4791808 ₩)
* Estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks. This represents an average across the country (budget may vary depending on the city or region visited).
Cost of living in South Korea in 2024
Cost of living: South Korea VS United States
On average, the cost of living in South Korea in 2024 is 27% less than in the United States (USA).
The graphic below shows the percentage of variation between prices United States in in the United States (USA) and United States by types of expenses:
Explore each type of expense in detail:
Cost of living in South Korea by city
See the table below for the variation in the cost of living in different cities in South Korea compared to the national average.
Cities | /South Korea | View Details |
---|---|---|
Seoul | 16% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Seoul |
Incheon | 12% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Incheon |
Cheonan | 9% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Cheonan |
Gyeongju | 7% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Gyeongju |
Yangsan | 6% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Yangsan |
Daegu | 5% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Daegu |
Busan | 4% more | Travel budget and cost of living in Busan |
Local prices in South Korea by expense type
South Korea: Restaurant budget
![Lunch](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/restaurant.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 5.1 to $ 11)
63% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![3 course dinner](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/restaurant-menu.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 13 to $ 37)
52% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![McDonald's meal](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/mcdo.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 5.1 to $ 6.9)
47% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Local beer](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/biere-locale.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 2.1 to $ 4.6)
45% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Imported beer](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/biere-import.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1.4 to $ 5.1)
25% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Cappuccino](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/cappuccino.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 2.2 to $ 4.7)
29% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Fizzy drink](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/soda.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1.1 to $ 2.3)
41% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Water bottle](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/eau.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 0.5 to $ 1.2)
63% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
South Korea: Hotel and accommodation budget
![1-star hotel](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel1.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 24 to $ 290)
63% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![2-star hotel](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel2.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 28 to $ 330)
55% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![3-star hotel](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel3.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 35 to $ 354)
62% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![4-star hotel](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel4.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 63 to $ 353)
60% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![5-star hotel](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel5.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 69 to $ 415)
69% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Hostel/Youth Hostel](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hostel.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 30 to $ 256)
62% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Room with kitchen](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel_cuisine.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 36 to $ 406)
58% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Hotel with swimming pool](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel_piscine.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 47 to $ 428)
35% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Cottage or guest house](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel_gite.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 33 to $ 294)
68% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Family room](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/hotel_famille.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 50 to $ 540)
29% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
South Korea: Supermarket food budget
![Milk](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/lait.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1.4 to $ 2.9)
96% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Bread](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/pain.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1.8 to $ 6.5)
16% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Rice](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/riz.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1.8 to $ 5.1)
32% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Eggs](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/oeufs.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1.7 to $ 5.2)
14% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Chicken](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/poulet.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 4.3 to $ 14)
26% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Apples](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/pommes.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 2.9 to $ 11)
32% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Tomatoes](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/tomates.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 2.2 to $ 8.7)
8% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Potatoes](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/pdt.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1.8 to $ 7.3)
26% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Water bottle](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/bouteille-eau.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 0.4 to $ 1.4)
48% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
South Korea: Public and private transport budget
![Bus ticket](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/ticket-bus.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 0.9 to $ 1.2)
58% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Taxi (per km)](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/taxi.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 0.5 to $ 1)
58% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Petrol](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/essence.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 1.1 to $ 1.4)
26% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Taxi (initial pick-up charge)](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/taxi_priseencharge.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 2.4 to $ 3.5)
8% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Car hire](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/voiture-location.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 28 to $ 79)
16% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
South Korea: Leisure activity budget
![Cinema](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/cinema.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 8.7 to $ 13)
22% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Tennis](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/tennis.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 7.3 to $ 30)
16% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
South Korea: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes
![Cigarettes](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/cigarette.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 3.3 to $ 3.6)
67% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Levi's jeans](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/levis.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 27 to $ 95)
6% more than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
![Summer dress](https://www.whereandwhen.net/thumb.php?src=/site/images/budget/robe.jpg&w=80&h=80)
($ 22 to $ 73)
1% less than in the United States (USA)
![United States United States](/site/images/flags/etats-unis.gif)
Plane ticket budget
![Sydney → Seoul](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/seoul_584.jpg)
(fair price: $ 677)
![New York City → Seoul](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/seoul_584.jpg)
(fair price: $ 1494)
![Los Angeles → Seoul](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/seoul_584.jpg)
(fair price: $ 1267)
![Melbourne → Seoul](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/seoul_584.jpg)
(fair price: $ 552)
![Toronto → Seoul](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/seoul_584.jpg)
(fair price: $ 1448)
![Vancouver → Seoul](https://www.whereandwhen.net/images/illustration/thumb/80/80/seoul_584.jpg)
(fair price: $ 1164)
About the information on the cost of living in South Korea
The information about the cost of living in South Korea shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including : Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.
Information about cost of living in South Korea updated on 25-07-2024.
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