Cost of Living in Busan, South Korea

Busan has a cost of living index of 57/100 (New York = 100). It is 43% cheaper than New York. Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

57/100
Cost Index
$2,800/mo
Median Income
72/100
Safety Index
humid subtropical
Climate

Cost Breakdown by Category

HousingScore: 58/100
1-Bed Apartment (City Center)$600/month
1-Bed Apartment (Outside Center)$420/month
3-Bed Apartment (City Center)$1,200/month
Food & GroceriesScore: 48/100
Milk (1 liter)$1.9/liter
Bread (500g loaf)$2.5/loaf
Rice (1 kg)$2.5/kg
Dining OutScore: 52/100
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant$7/meal
Meal for 2 (Mid-Range)$40/meal
McMeal at McDonald's$6/meal
TransportationScore: 55/100
Monthly Transit Pass$50/month
One-Way Ticket$1.1/trip
Taxi (1 km)$0.75/km
UtilitiesScore: 42/100
Basic (Elec, Heat, Water, Garbage) 85m2$120/month
Internet (60+ Mbps)$35/month
Mobile Plan (10GB+)$25/month
HealthcareScore: 65/100
Doctor Visit (15 min)$35/visit
Dentist Visit$40/visit
Prescription Medicine (avg)$8/course
EntertainmentScore: 48/100
Cinema Ticket (1 seat)$10/ticket
Theater Ticket$35/ticket
Museum Entry$10/ticket
FitnessScore: 48/100
Gym Membership (monthly)$35/month
Tennis Court Rent (1 hr)$15/hour
Swimming Pool (adult entry)$6/entry
Personal CareScore: 42/100
Haircut (Men)$15/cut
Haircut (Women)$30/cut
Shampoo (400ml)$4/bottle
ClothingScore: 50/100
Jeans (Levi's or similar)$50/pair
Summer Dress (Zara/H&M)$35/piece
Running Shoes (Nike/Adidas)$75/pair

Digital Nomad Profile

320 Mbps
Internet Speed
$250
Coworking/Month
excellent
Café WiFi
moderate
English Level
growing
Nomad Community
72/100
Walkability

Best neighborhoods: Seomyeon, Gwangbok-ro, Nampo-dong

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Busan cheap to live in?

Busan has a cost of living index of 57/100, where New York = 100. It is 43% cheaper than New York. A single person can live comfortably for approximately $1,140–$1,596 per month.

How much does rent cost in Busan?

A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center of Busan costs approximately $600/month. Outside the center, expect to pay around $420/month.

Is Busan good for digital nomads?

Busan has a growing digital nomad community. Average internet speed is 320 Mbps, café wifi reliability is excellent, and coworking spaces run about $250/month. English proficiency is moderate.

What is the average salary in Busan?

The median net monthly salary in Busan is approximately $2,800 USD. The income tax rate is around 19%.

How does Busan compare to New York for cost of living?

Busan (cost index 57) is 43% cheaper than New York (cost index 100). You could save roughly $1,075/month by moving from New York to Busan.

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