Incheon vs Seoul Cost of Living

Incheon (South Korea) · Overall index 42.6Seoul (South Korea) · Overall index 53.3

Summary

  • Overall, Seoul is 25% more expensive than Incheon.
  • Rent in Seoul is 52% more expensive than in Incheon.
  • Dining out in Seoul is 35% more expensive than in Incheon.
ItemIncheonSeoulDiff
Rent+52%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$815$1,128+38%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$565$885+57%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,627$2,631+62%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,043$1,576+51%
Groceries+18%
Milk (1L)$0.72$0.97+35%
White bread (500g)$2.57$3.03+18%
Rice (1kg)$3.21$3.33+4%
Eggs (12)$2.6$3.32+28%
Local cheese (1kg)$8.74$9.47+8%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$6.62$8.39+27%
Beef round (1kg)$11.1$14.8+33%
Apples (1kg)$2.99$4.15+39%
Bananas (1kg)$1.31$1.53+17%
Oranges (1kg)$2.9$3.36+16%
Tomatoes (1kg)$3.38$3.73+10%
Potatoes (1kg)$1.91$2.22+16%
Onions (1kg)$1.61$1.86+16%
Lettuce (1 head)$1.68$1.71+2%
Water (1.5L bottle)$1.41$1.67+18%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$9.89$11.7+18%
Transport+20%
Public transport, one-way ticket$1.28$1.68+31%
Public transport, monthly pass$65.1$68.9+6%
Taxi, base fare$2.29$2.76+21%
Taxi, per km$1.06$1.34+26%
Gasoline (1L)$0.53$0.530%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$13,241$18,844+42%
Dining out+35%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$11$14.8+35%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$58.9$84.8+44%
Fast food combo meal$5.77$7.96+38%
Cappuccino$2.55$3.11+22%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$1.45$1.89+30%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$3.49$4.53+30%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$3.87$5.53+43%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$1.01$1.43+42%
Telecom+11%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$37$45.1+22%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$39.1$47.3+21%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.23$0.22-4%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$10.5$11.3+8%
Utilities & household+21%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$94.8$130+37%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.14$0.16+14%
Tap water (1m³)$3.03$3.13+3%
Natural gas (1m³)$0.91$1.03+13%
Waste collection (monthly)$12.2$15.9+30%
Fitness club (monthly)$43.8$60.9+39%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$8.55$9.46+11%
Men's haircut$19.8$22.9+16%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$14.1$16.6+18%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$1,188$1,561+31%

3,157 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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