Cost of Living & Quality of Life in South Korea (2026)
What everyday life costs in South Korea — rent, utilities, eating out, transport and schooling — and how it scores on safety, health care, pollution and climate compared with Eastern Asia.
- Quality of Life Index
- 142.3
- 2024
- Safety Index
- 75.1
- 2024
- Health Care Index
- 82.7
- 2024
- Rent: 1-bedroom, city centre
- $634/mo
- 2023
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant
- $6.70
- 2024
- Average monthly net salary
- $2,762
- 2023
Quality of life trends in South Korea
Typical living costs in South Korea
US dollars; national figures are medians/averages across cities reported to Numbeo.
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent: 1-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $634/mo | 2023 | +7.3% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 1-bedroom, outside centreAverage monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment outside the centre | $403/mo | 2023 | -5.0% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Rent: 3-bedroom, city centreAverage monthly rent of a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre | $1,848/mo | 2023 | +1.1% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Utilities for an 85 m² apartmentElectricity, heating, cooling, water and garbage, monthly | $196/mo | 2023 | +12.3% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Internet (60 Mbps+)Unlimited broadband, monthly | $24.77/mo | 2023 | +6.4% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
| Mobile plan (calls + 10GB)Monthly mobile phone plan | $42.99/mo | 2023 | — | Numbeo |
| Meal, inexpensive restaurantCountry median of city prices | $6.70 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Dinner for two, mid-range restaurantThree-course meal for two, country median of city prices | $37.12 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| CappuccinoRegular cappuccino, country median of city prices | $3.50 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Public transport monthly passCountry median of city prices | $46.54 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Gasoline (1 litre)Country median of city prices | $1.21 | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Fitness club membershipCountry median of city prices | $54.35/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Private preschool (full day)Country median of city prices | $325/mo | 2024 | — | Numbeo |
| Average monthly net salaryAverage monthly salary after tax | $2,762 | 2023 | -1.1% vs 2022 | Numbeo |
Quality of life indices
| Indicator | Value | Year | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of Life IndexComposite index (higher is better) | 142.3 | 2024 | +7.0% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Safety IndexPerceived safety (higher is safer) | 75.1 | 2024 | +0.8% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Health Care IndexPerceived quality of the health care system | 82.7 | 2024 | -0.4% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Pollution IndexPerceived pollution (lower is better) | 61.4 | 2024 | -1.4% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Climate IndexClimate likeability (higher is more pleasant) | 68.4 | 2024 | ±0% vs 2023 | Numbeo |
| Year | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Pollution Index | Climate Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 142.3 | 75.1 | 82.7 | 61.4 | 68.4 |
| 2023 | 133 | 74.5 | 83 | 62.3 | 68.4 |
| 2022 | 125 | 73.5 | 82.7 | 62.4 | 68.4 |
| 2021 | 130 | 73.1 | 82.3 | 61.8 | 68.4 |
| 2020 | 139 | 72 | 82 | 62.5 | 68.4 |
| 2019 | 149.5 | 66 | 84.5 | 54.2 | 68.4 |
| 2018 | 155.4 | 64.2 | 83.4 | 52.9 | 67.2 |
| 2017 | 162.5 | 74.7 | 83.2 | 52.7 | 61.2 |
South Korea compared with Eastern Asia
Related
- Properties for sale in South Korea
- House prices & rental yields in South Korea
- South Korea market overview
Source: Numbeo (indices and prices, crowd-sourced). Salary is the average monthly net wage.