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:

  • $ 45 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 13 per person
  • $ 4.4 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 1090* (1446368 ₩)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 78 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 22 per person
  • $ 7.8 per person
  • $ 12 per person

Total budget:

$ 2228* (2958984 ₩)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 103 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 36 per person
  • $ 13 per person
  • $ 23 per person

Total budget:

$ 3423* (4545478 ₩)

* 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

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in South Korea in 2024 is 22% 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:

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 18% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Seoul
Incheon 15% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Incheon
Gongju 10% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Gongju
Nonsan 8% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Nonsan
Busan 8% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Busan
Cheonan 7% moreTravel budget and cost of living in Cheonan

Show all cities (18 more)




Local prices in South Korea by expense type

South Korea: Restaurant budget

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in South Korea costs 43% less than in the United States (USA).
Lunch
Lunch
$ 7.5/person
($ 5.3 to $ 12)

62% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 20
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 19/person
($ 14 to $ 38)

50% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 38
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 6/person
($ 5.3 to $ 7.2)

45% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Local beer
Local beer
$ 3.4 for 500ml
($ 2.2 to $ 5)

41% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 2.9 for 330ml
($ 1.5 to $ 5.3)

19% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 3.8/cup
($ 2.2 to $ 4.9)

27% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 1.5/can
($ 1.1 to $ 2.3)

38% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 0.8/bottle
($ 0.7 to $ 1.3)

60% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2

South Korea: Hotel and accommodation budget

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in South Korea costs 56% less than in the United States (USA).
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 65/night
($ 25 to $ 295)

64% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 180
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 70/night
($ 28 to $ 334)

56% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 162
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 86/night
($ 35 to $ 354)

64% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 237
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 121/night
($ 62 to $ 356)

62% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 320
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 147/night
($ 71 to $ 419)

68% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 466
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 65/month
($ 30 to $ 268)

62% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 172
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 103/month
($ 37 to $ 419)

58% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 251
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 138/month
($ 48 to $ 435)

36% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 216
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 89/month
($ 50 to $ 310)

61% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 232
Family room
Family room
$ 152/month
($ 51 to $ 541)

29% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 216

South Korea: Supermarket food budget

On average, the price of supermarket food in South Korea is 9% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Milk
Milk
$ 2.2/litre
($ 1.5 to $ 3)

109% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1
Bread
Bread
$ 3.1/500g
($ 2.1 to $ 6.8)

12% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6
Rice
Rice
$ 3.2/kg
($ 1.9 to $ 5.3)

30% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.5
Eggs
Eggs
$ 3.2/12 eggs
($ 1.8 to $ 6)

12% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7
Chicken
Chicken
$ 9.2/kg
($ 4.5 to $ 14)

23% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 12
Apples
Apples
$ 7.5/kg
($ 3 to $ 12)

44% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.2
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 5.6/kg
($ 2.2 to $ 9.1)

16% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 3.9/kg
($ 2 to $ 7.5)

33% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 1.2
($ 0.6 to $ 1.5)

46% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

South Korea: Public and private transport budget

On average, the price of transport in South Korea costs 23% less than in the United States (USA).
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 1.1/ticket
($ 1 to $ 1.2)

56% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 0.6/km
($ 0.6 to $ 1.1)

64% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.2/litre
($ 1.2 to $ 1.4)

31% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 3.4
($ 2.4 to $ 3.7)

4% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.5
Car hire
Car hire
$ 58/24hrs
($ 33 to $ 91)

20% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 72

South Korea: Leisure activity budget

On average, budget for leisure activities in South Korea costs 8% less than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 12/ticket
($ 9.1 to $ 14)

19% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Tennis
Tennis
$ 23/hr
($ 9.1 to $ 34)

2% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22

South Korea: Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes

On average, shopping budget in South Korea costs 13% less than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 3.4/pack
($ 3.4 to $ 3.8)

66% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 9.9
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 61
($ 38 to $ 113)

17% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 53
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 49
($ 24 to $ 76)

11% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44

Plane ticket budget

Sydney → Seoul
Sydney → Seoul
Sydney → Seoul
$ 793
(fair price: $ 680)
Los Angeles → Seoul
Los Angeles  → Seoul
Los Angeles  → Seoul
$ 1429
(fair price: $ 1257)
Melbourne → Seoul
Melbourne → Seoul
Melbourne → Seoul
$ 657
(fair price: $ 552)
New York City → Seoul
New York City → Seoul
New York City → Seoul
$ 1687
(fair price: $ 1492)
Vancouver → Seoul
Vancouver → Seoul
Vancouver → Seoul
$ 1455
(fair price: $ 1234)
Toronto → Seoul
Toronto → Seoul
Toronto → Seoul
$ 1777
(fair price: $ 1524)

Book a flight Flight prices to South Korea




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 28-09-2024.

Change currency