Seoul, South Korea

Cost of Living in Seoul, South Korea

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Seoul costs approximately $1,619 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $859. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Seoul is a city in South Korea, where a single person can expect to spend about $1,619 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $859 per month, or $554 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 233 Mbps median download speed, and South Korea offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Seoul scores 72/100 — generally safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 84°F and winter highs around 35°F, with roughly 300 sunny days a year.

Top for CoworkingTop for RunningTop for Late NightTop for Sports EventsTop for ClubTop for Live MusicTop for Rooftop BarTop for MuseumTop for Art SceneTop for Green SpacesTop for Medical TourismTop for Coffee CultureDigital nomad visaFamily friendlySafe tap waterMajor airport hub
Monthly Cost$1,619≈ $54/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$859
Internet233 Mbps
Safety72/100
Avg Temp60°F

Seoul Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$8.98
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$62.17
McDonald's Combo Meal$6.77
Cappuccino$3.66
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$3.45
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$0.79

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$2.03
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$2.96
Eggs (12)$3
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$4.33
Apples (1 lb)$3.37
Bananas (1 lb)$1.49
Tomatoes (1 lb)$2.81
Potatoes (1 lb)$1.64
Water (1.5L Bottle)$1.16
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$20.03
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$3.11

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$1.07
Monthly Transit Pass$44.90
Taxi Start$3.32
Taxi (1 Mile)$0.94
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.16
VW Golf (New)$27,194.11

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$152.50
Mobile Phone Plan$31.14
Broadband Internet$20.32

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$56.76
Cinema Ticket$10.36
Preschool (Monthly)$1,258.85
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$21,636.53

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$54.78
Nike Running Shoes$81.79

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$859.33
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$553.54
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$2,053.91
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$1,093.77
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$2,233.25
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$1,112.67

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$3,209.26
Mortgage Interest Rate4%
Family of 4 (Monthly, excl. rent)$3,935
Single Person (Monthly, excl. rent)$1,065.50

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Seoul

Internet233 Mbps
Safety72/100
Healthcare83/100
Public Transit92/100
Walkability80/100
Nightlife53/100
Food Scene88/100
Fine Dining65/100
Coffee Culture88/100
Air Quality53/100
Green Spaces55/100
Culture80/100
Beaches40/100
Hiking55/100
Surfing10/100
Coworking Spaces60
US Visa-Free90 days

Neighborhoods in Seoul

Gangnam · Hongdae · Itaewon · Jongno · Mapo

Communities & Expat Groups

Korea Digital Nomads · Seoul Housing

Seoul FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Seoul?

A single person should budget around $1,619 per month in Seoul, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $3,935 per month.

How much is rent in Seoul?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Seoul averages $859 per month, dropping to about $554 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $2,054.

Is Seoul safe?

Seoul scores 72/100 on safety, which is generally safe. Tourist safety is rated 82/100.

How fast is the internet in Seoul?

Median download speeds in Seoul are around 233 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 60 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 Seoul?

Seoul sees summer highs around 84°F and winter highs near 35°F, with about 300 sunny days and 109 rainy days per year.

Seoul in our travel guides

Visa Requirements for South Korea

Add your passport to see whether you need a visa for South Korea and how to apply.

Explore More

See Seoul on the interactive map →

Similar destinations in Asia

Compare Seoul

Read our travel & relocation guides →

Browse all cities →