Busan, South Korea

Cost of Living in Busan, South Korea

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Busan costs approximately $1,399 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $644. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Busan is a city in South Korea, where a single person can expect to spend about $1,399 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $644 per month, or $318 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 233 Mbps median download speed, and South Korea offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Busan scores 74/100 — generally safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 83°F and winter highs around 44°F, with roughly 300 sunny days a year.

Digital nomad visaFamily friendly
Monthly Cost$1,399≈ $47/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$644
Internet233 Mbps
Safety74/100
Avg Temp64°F

Busan Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$6.91
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$44.90
McDonald's Combo Meal$5.53
Cappuccino$3.71
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$3.45
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$1.31

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$2.10
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$2.66
Eggs (12)$2.59
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$4.39
Apples (1 lb)$4.70
Bananas (1 lb)$1.53
Tomatoes (1 lb)$2.49
Potatoes (1 lb)$2.51
Water (1.5L Bottle)$1.21
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$17.27
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$3.11

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$1.04
Monthly Transit Pass$55.26
Taxi Start$3.32
Taxi (1 Mile)$1.11
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.16
VW Golf (New)$27,194.11

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$176.25
Mobile Phone Plan$39.10
Broadband Internet$27.63

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$57.85
Cinema Ticket$11.05
Preschool (Monthly)$460.49
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$20,157.42

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$96.70
Nike Running Shoes$86.34

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$644.11
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$317.62
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$1,226.05
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$659.30
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$822.51
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$658.29

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$2,566.38
Mortgage Interest Rate4.22%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$3,964.30
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$1,081.70

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Busan

Internet233 Mbps
Safety74/100
Healthcare83/100
Public Transit82/100
Walkability72/100
Nightlife48/100
Food Scene88/100
Fine Dining30/100
Coffee Culture60/100
Air Quality73/100
Green Spaces45/100
Culture72/100
Beaches65/100
Hiking68/100
Surfing10/100
Coworking Spaces30
US Visa-Free90 days

Busan FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Busan?

A single person should budget around $1,399 per month in Busan, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $3,964 per month.

How much is rent in Busan?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Busan averages $644 per month, dropping to about $318 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,226.

Is Busan safe?

Busan scores 74/100 on safety, which is generally safe. Tourist safety is rated 82/100.

How fast is the internet in Busan?

Median download speeds in Busan are around 233 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 30 coworking spaces in the city.

Does South Korea offer a digital nomad visa?

Yes — South Korea offers a digital nomad visa. US passport holders can typically stay 90 days visa-free before applying.

What is the weather like in Busan?

Busan sees summer highs around 83°F and winter highs near 44°F, with about 300 sunny days and 117 rainy days per year.

Busan in our travel guides

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