Cost of Living in Busan

Summary of cost of living in Busan, South Korea:

  • The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 3,811.6$ (5,482,029.7₩), excluding rent (using our estimator).
  • The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 1,043.4$ (1,500,663.0₩), excluding rent.
  • Busan is 15.5% less expensive than Columbus (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
  • Rent in Busan is, on average, 65.2% lower than in Columbus.
Restaurants
Edit Range
Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant 6.95 $ 5.56-9.04
Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) 34.76 $ 34.76-69.53
Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) 6.01 $ 5.56-6.33
Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) 3.48 $ 1.74-4.17
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) 5.56 $ 3.13-6.26
Cappuccino (Regular Size) 3.89 $ 2.78-4.52
Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) 1.86 $ 1.39-2.43
Bottled Water (12 oz) 1.39 $ 0.70-2.09
Markets
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Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) 2.13 $ 1.74-2.43
Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) 2.84 $ 1.89-4.42
White Rice (1 lb) 1.31 $ 0.79-1.58
Eggs (12, Large Size) 2.83 $ 2.09-3.59
Local Cheese (1 lb) 4.54 $ 3.15-6.31
Chicken Fillets (1 lb) 3.53 $ 1.89-5.05
Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) 11.83 $ 5.05-15.77
Apples (1 lb) 3.63 $ 0.95-5.36
Bananas (1 lb) 1.42 $ 1.26-1.58
Oranges (1 lb) 3.27 $ 2.37-4.73
Tomatoes (1 lb) 2.26 $ 0.95-3.15
Potatoes (1 lb) 2.21 $ 0.95-3.15
Onions (1 lb) 1.43 $ 0.57-2.21
Lettuce (1 Head) 1.95 $ 1.04-3.48
Bottled Water (50 oz) 1.16 $ 0.70-1.39
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 13.91 $ 6.26-34.76
Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) 1.69 $ 1.39-3.48
Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) 3.22 $ 2.09-4.87
Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) 3.13 $ 3.13-3.13
Transportation
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One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) 1.08 $ 1.04-1.15
Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) 55.62 $ 41.72-69.53
Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) 3.34 $ 2.64-5.35
Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) 1.12 $ 0.85-2.69
Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) 15.64 $ 13.91-17.38
Gasoline (1 Liter) 1.13 $ 1.12-1.18
Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) 26,233.79 $ 26,233.79-26,233.79
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-size Car) 23,639.68 $ 23,639.68-23,639.68
Utilities (Monthly)
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Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) 179.59 $ 147.75-278.11
Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) 45.33 $ 24.33-59.10
Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) 27.81 $ 24.33-31.29
Sports And Leisure
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Monthly Fitness Club Membership 56.32 $ 41.72-69.53
Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) 12.52 $ 6.26-10.43
Cinema Ticket (International Release) 10.78 $ 10.08-13.91
Childcare
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Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child 463.52 $ 208.59-903.87
International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child 13,384.23 $ 12,862.77-13,905.70
Clothing And Shoes
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Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) 97.34 $ 55.62-104.29
Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) 60.84 $ 48.67-69.53
Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) 74.74 $ 55.62-104.29
Men's Leather Business Shoes 118.20 $ 55.62-139.06
Rent Per Month
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1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre 493.65 $ 451.94-625.76
1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre 319.83 $ 278.11-486.70
3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre 1,042.93 $ 695.28-1,738.21
3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre 851.72 $ 625.76-1,390.57
Buy Apartment Price
Edit
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre 824.07 $ 533.34-1,246.99
Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre 658.72 $ 237.26-1,246.99
Salaries And Financing
Edit
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) 2,551.67 $
Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 4.22 3.25-6.04

Prices in Busan

This city had 290 entries in the past 12 months by 33 different contributors.
Last update: 1 August 2025
Sources and References
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
  
  
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1 Comments so far
Q on Mar 11, 2024:
You have to know, usually in Korea, rent deposit is way much higher than your thought. 16.5 Square meter studio for 500,000\ (400$) rent per month usually need 2~30,000,000\ (14,000~23,000$) deposit in the city.