✦ Cost of living
Seoul
Seoul, South Korea
US = 100
In plain terms: Seoul is about 16% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $900/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing90−10%
- Food & groceries85−15%
- Transport55−45%
- Utilities80−20%
- Healthcare65−35%
- Goods & services95−5%
About
“The Miracle on the Han River”
A hyper-modern megacity with the world's best transit and internet, K-culture everywhere and remarkable safety. The costs are Western-tier, the work culture intense and the jeonse deposits huge — but a new workation visa is opening the door to nomads.
- Currency
- South Korean won · KRW
- Languages
- Korean
- Coordinates
- 37.57, 126.98
- Emergency
- 112
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
45%
Income tax
progressive
10%
VAT / sales
24%
Corporate
$2,500
Avg net salary
per month
Visas & residency
Points-based E-7 skilled visa and F-2 residence tracks; a workation (F-1-D) nomad visa launched 2024.
✈ K-ETA or visa-free short stays for many passports.
2024; remote workers, ~$65k/yr income.
Max stay: 24 months
Employer-sponsored, occupation list.
Permanent residence after ~5 yrs. Citizenship after ~5 yrs.
Quality of life
Safety
78/100
Healthcare
82/100
Pollution
55/100
Internet
220 Mbps
Jan avg
-2 °C
Jul avg
+25 °C
Sunny days
200/yr
Walkability
75/100
Public transit
92/100
Family-friendly
68/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Moderate
- Expat community
- Large
- Coworking spaces
- 40
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: 2026-08-14 · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
? Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Seoul, KR?
Seoul, KR's cost-of-living index is 84 (US average = 100) — about 16% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $900 per month.
What are the average living costs in Seoul, KR?
Living costs in Seoul, KR are about 16% cheaper than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 84 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $900. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Seoul, KR?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $900 per month, and around $650 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in South Korea?
South Korea has a top income-tax rate of 45% and a VAT or sales tax of 10%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Seoul, KR?
Seoul, KR averages around -2 °C in January and +25 °C in July, with roughly 200 sunny days a year.
Is Seoul, KR safe?
Seoul, KR scores 78 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
❖ Compare Seoul with…
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.