Gwangju vs Seoul Cost of Living

Gwangju (South Korea) · Overall index 38.8Seoul (South Korea) · Overall index 53.3

Summary

  • Overall, Seoul is 37% more expensive than Gwangju.
  • Rent in Seoul is 101% more expensive than in Gwangju.
  • Utilities & household in Seoul is 35% more expensive than in Gwangju.
ItemGwangjuSeoulDiff
Rent+101%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$647$1,128+74%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$397$885+123%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,207$2,631+118%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$837$1,576+88%
Groceries+28%
Milk (1L)$0.72$0.97+35%
White bread (500g)$2.16$3.03+40%
Rice (1kg)$2.48$3.33+34%
Eggs (12)$2.94$3.32+13%
Local cheese (1kg)$7.49$9.47+26%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$7.23$8.39+16%
Beef round (1kg)$9.77$14.8+51%
Apples (1kg)$3.1$4.15+34%
Bananas (1kg)$1.15$1.53+33%
Oranges (1kg)$2.34$3.36+44%
Tomatoes (1kg)$3.3$3.73+13%
Potatoes (1kg)$1.51$2.22+47%
Onions (1kg)$1.69$1.86+10%
Lettuce (1 head)$1.57$1.71+9%
Water (1.5L bottle)$1.32$1.67+27%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$8.47$11.7+38%
Transport+33%
Public transport, one-way ticket$1.32$1.68+27%
Public transport, monthly pass$59$68.9+17%
Taxi, base fare$1.83$2.76+51%
Taxi, per km$0.88$1.34+52%
Gasoline (1L)$0.45$0.53+18%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$13,796$18,844+37%
Dining out+34%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$11.6$14.8+28%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$53$84.8+60%
Fast food combo meal$5.68$7.96+40%
Cappuccino$2.91$3.11+7%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$1.21$1.89+56%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$3.74$4.53+21%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$3.92$5.53+41%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$1.09$1.43+31%
Telecom+17%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$34.6$45.1+30%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$41.1$47.3+15%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.22$0.220%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$9.09$11.3+24%
Utilities & household+35%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$86.5$130+50%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.12$0.16+33%
Tap water (1m³)$2.46$3.13+27%
Natural gas (1m³)$0.78$1.03+32%
Waste collection (monthly)$11.7$15.9+36%
Fitness club (monthly)$39.6$60.9+54%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$7.74$9.46+22%
Men's haircut$15.7$22.9+46%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$13.2$16.6+26%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$1,257$1,561+24%

3,165 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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