Cost of Living

South Korea

Live cost-of-living data across 3 cities in South Korea — average cost index 34/100 (New York = 100), ranging from 31 to 39. Sourced by AI, refreshed regularly.

34/100
Avg cost index
Jeju
Cheapest
3
Cities tracked
Yes
Nomad visa
Digital Nomad Visa
F-1-D Workation Visa / Jeju-Style Digital Nomad Visa
Stay up to 2 years · free to apply · see all visa countries

Cost of living by city in South Korea

Ranked cheapest first. Cost index anchored to New York = 100.

Jeju31Busan32Seoul39

Frequently asked questions

Is South Korea cheap to live in?

Across 3 cities in South Korea, the average cost-of-living index is 34 (New York = 100) — from 31 in Jeju to 39 in Seoul. It's meaningfully cheaper than the US and Western Europe.

What is the cheapest city in South Korea?

Jeju is the most affordable city we track in South Korea, with a cost-of-living index of 31 (New York = 100) and a 1-bedroom city-center rent around $453/month.

Does South Korea have a digital nomad visa?

Yes. South Korea offers the F-1-D Workation Visa / Jeju-Style Digital Nomad Visa, allowing stays of up to 2 years with no application fee. Always confirm current requirements with the official immigration portal.

How much does it cost to live in South Korea per month?

A single person can live comfortably in the cheaper cities of South Korea for roughly $620–$868/month. Costs scale up toward Seoul. See the full city-by-city breakdown above.

Compare Jeju with anywhere

Dig into any South Korea city, or see where your salary stretches furthest worldwide.