Cost of Living in Busan, South Korea
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 212 sunny days a year.
Busan Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Busan
How Busan Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Busan ranks in the top 5% for public transit, but sits in the bottom 23% for air quality. It is cheaper than 57% of them.
| Metric | Busan | World rank | Rank in Asia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $1,399 | #145 of 340 | #58 of 65 |
| Safety | 74/100 | #114 of 340 | #19 of 65 |
| Healthcare | 83/100 | #71 of 340 | #6 of 65 |
| Internet speed | 233 Mbps | #105 of 340 | #11 of 65 |
| Walkability | 72/100 | #76 of 340 | #9 of 65 |
| Public transit | 82/100 | #17 of 340 | #8 of 65 |
| Food scene | 88/100 | #40 of 340 | #19 of 65 |
| Air quality | 73/100 | #263 of 340 | #34 of 65 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Busan
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Busan.
- Fukuoka, Japan — $1,180/mo, 16% cheaper, safety 85/100
- Izmir, Turkey — $1,169/mo, 16% cheaper, safety 68/100
- Hiroshima, Japan — $1,111/mo, 21% cheaper, safety 86/100
- Kaohsiung, Taiwan — $1,056/mo, 25% cheaper, safety 85/100
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 excluding rent.
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 212 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 100 days.
Busan in our travel guides
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