East Asia Updated
Average Cost of Living in Busan
The average cost of living in Busan, South Korea is $782 per month for a single person, and $2,171 per month for a family of four. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $646 per month. The local average net salary is $2,465 per month.
Very affordable
Updated today
Index 17.8 · NYC = 100
Estimated monthly cost
- Single person
- $782 / month
- Family of 4
- $2,171 / mo
- Student
- $488 / mo
Includes rent, food, utilities, transport, and dining out. Excludes healthcare, taxes, and discretionary travel.
Salary that covers life in Busan
Adjust the household and see the gap or surplus vs. typical local pay.
Interactive
You need at least
$0 / month
Annual gross (25% tax)
$0
vs. local average net salary
$2,465.43 / month
On this page 11 sections
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Salary calculator for Busan | Find out the monthly salary needed for a single, family, or student lifestyle. |
| Rent & Property Prices in Busan | Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter. |
| Grocery Prices in Busan | Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat. |
| Public Transport & Car Costs in Busan | Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices. |
| Utility & Internet Costs in Busan | Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills. |
| Childcare & Preschool in Busan | Preschool fees and international school tuition. |
| Clothing Prices in Busan | Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores. |
| Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Busan | Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets. |
| Restaurant Prices in Busan | Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks. |
| Salaries & Mortgages in Busan | Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates. |
| Busan FAQs | Common questions about rent, salaries, food, and transport in Busan. |
Rent & Property Prices in Busan
Apartment rent and property purchase price per square meter.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $646 | $468 – $816 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $327 | $307 – $435 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | $1,187 | $1,003 – $1,705 |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | $638 | $602 – $1,103 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre | $9,683 | $5,521 – $19,650 |
| Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | $7,040 | $2,456 – $13,423 |
- 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $646$468 – $816
- 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $327$307 – $435
- 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre $1,187$1,003 – $1,705
- 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre $638$602 – $1,103
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre $9,683$5,521 – $19,650
- Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre $7,040$2,456 – $13,423
Grocery Prices in Busan
Supermarket prices for staples like bread, milk, produce, and meat.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | $2.11 | $1.47 – $2.34 |
| Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) | $2.84 | $1.67 – $4.68 |
| White Rice (1 kg) | $2.80 | $1.67 – $3.34 |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | $2.39 | $2.01 – $4.01 |
| Local Cheese (1 kg) | $9.86 | $8.69 – $10 |
| Chicken Fillets (1 kg) | $9.36 | $5.35 – $11 |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) | $22 | $17 – $30 |
| Apples (1 kg) | $10 | $6.69 – $11 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | $3.26 | $2.67 – $3.34 |
| Oranges (1 kg) | $7.26 | $5.01 – $10 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | $5.32 | $2.01 – $6.69 |
| Potatoes (1 kg) | $5.35 | $2.01 – $6.69 |
| Onions (1 kg) | $2.98 | $0.67 – $4.68 |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | $2.51 | $1.00 – $3.34 |
| Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) | $1.17 | $0.27 – $1.67 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | $17 | $6.02 – $33 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) | $2.16 | $1.34 – $3.34 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $3.09 | $2.01 – $4.68 |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | $3.01 | $3.01 – $3.01 |
- Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) $2.11$1.47 – $2.34
- Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf) $2.84$1.67 – $4.68
- White Rice (1 kg) $2.80$1.67 – $3.34
- Eggs (12, Large Size) $2.39$2.01 – $4.01
- Local Cheese (1 kg) $9.86$8.69 – $10
- Chicken Fillets (1 kg) $9.36$5.35 – $11
- Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 kg) $22$17 – $30
- Apples (1 kg) $10$6.69 – $11
- Bananas (1 kg) $3.26$2.67 – $3.34
- Oranges (1 kg) $7.26$5.01 – $10
- Tomatoes (1 kg) $5.32$2.01 – $6.69
- Potatoes (1 kg) $5.35$2.01 – $6.69
- Onions (1 kg) $2.98$0.67 – $4.68
- Lettuce (1 Head) $2.51$1.00 – $3.34
- Bottled Water (1.5 Liter) $1.17$0.27 – $1.67
- Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) $17$6.02 – $33
- Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter Bottle) $2.16$1.34 – $3.34
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $3.09$2.01 – $4.68
- Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) $3.01$3.01 – $3.01
Public Transport & Car Costs in Busan
Public transport tickets, taxi fares, fuel, and vehicle prices.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | $1.00 | $1.00 – $1.07 |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | $53 | $40 – $67 |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | $3.21 | $2.54 – $5.15 |
| Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) | $0.67 | $0.51 – $1.60 |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | $15 | $13 – $17 |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | $1.16 | $1.11 – $1.34 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | $26,324 | $26,324 – $26,324 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | $25,637 | $22,734 – $31,927 |
- One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) $1.00$1.00 – $1.07
- Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) $53$40 – $67
- Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) $3.21$2.54 – $5.15
- Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff) $0.67$0.51 – $1.60
- Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) $15$13 – $17
- Gasoline (1 Liter) $1.16$1.11 – $1.34
- Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) $26,324$26,324 – $26,324
- Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) $25,637$22,734 – $31,927
Utility & Internet Costs in Busan
Monthly electricity, heating, water, mobile, and broadband bills.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | $171 | $134 – $267 |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | $36 | $17 – $52 |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | $27 | $23 – $30 |
- Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) $171$134 – $267
- Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) $36$17 – $52
- Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) $27$23 – $30
Childcare & Preschool in Busan
Preschool fees and international school tuition.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | $568 | $267 – $869 |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | $19,513 | $13,373 – $31,349 |
- Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child $568$267 – $869
- International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child $19,513$13,373 – $31,349
Clothing Prices in Busan
Jeans, dresses, running shoes, and leather shoes from chain stores.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | $94 | $53 – $100 |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | $59 | $47 – $67 |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | $84 | $53 – $100 |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | $114 | $53 – $134 |
- Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) $94$53 – $100
- Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) $59$47 – $67
- Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) $84$53 – $100
- Men's Leather Business Shoes $114$53 – $134
Gym, Cinema & Leisure in Busan
Gym memberships, tennis court rentals, and cinema tickets.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | $56 | $47 – $67 |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | $8.86 | $6.69 – $10 |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | $11 | $10 – $13 |
- Monthly Fitness Club Membership $56$47 – $67
- Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) $8.86$6.69 – $10
- Cinema Ticket (International Release) $11$10 – $13
Restaurant Prices in Busan
Meals at inexpensive and mid-range restaurants, coffee, and soft drinks.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | $6.69 | $5.35 – $8.69 |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | $38 | $33 – $47 |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | $5.95 | $5.35 – $6.08 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) | $3.51 | $1.67 – $4.01 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) | $5.01 | $2.67 – $6.69 |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | $3.24 | $2.34 – $4.35 |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) | $1.71 | $1.34 – $2.67 |
| Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.27 | $0.67 – $2.01 |
- Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant $6.69$5.35 – $8.69
- Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) $38$33 – $47
- Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) $5.95$5.35 – $6.08
- Domestic Draft Beer (0.5 Liter) $3.51$1.67 – $4.01
- Imported Beer (0.33 Liter Bottle) $5.01$2.67 – $6.69
- Cappuccino (Regular Size) $3.24$2.34 – $4.35
- Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 0.33 Liter Bottle) $1.71$1.34 – $2.67
- Bottled Water (0.33 Liter) $1.27$0.67 – $2.01
Salaries & Mortgages in Busan
Average monthly net salary and mortgage interest rates.
| Item | Median | Range (low–high) |
|---|---|---|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | $2,465 | — |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 4.22% | — |
- Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) $2,465
- Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) 4.22%
Compare Busan with…
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Related cities
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Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to live in Busan?
- An estimated $782 per month covers rent, food, utilities, and transport for one person in Busan. A family of four needs around $2,171 per month, while students living shared accommodation manage on roughly $488.
- How much money do I need to live in Busan?
- Plan for at least $782 per month as a single person, $2,171 per month for a family of four, or $488 per month as a student in shared accommodation. Add 15–25% on top for taxes, savings, and discretionary spending — that's the salary you should be targeting before relocating to Busan.
- What is the average rent in Busan?
- A one-bedroom apartment in Busan rents for around $646 per month, with three-bedroom apartments in the city centre around $1,187 per month. Prices vary depending on neighbourhood, building age, and furnishings.
- What is the average salary in Busan?
- The average monthly net salary in Busan is around $2,465. Whether that's enough to live comfortably depends on housing choice — rent typically claims 26% of a single-person paycheck.
- How much does food cost in Busan?
- A meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Busan costs around $6.69. Cooking at home, a single person spends roughly $102 per month on groceries. Staples like milk ($2.11/L) and bread ($2.84/500g) are typical.
- What is public transport like in Busan?
- A monthly public transport pass in Busan costs around $53. Cities with extensive metro and bus networks generally let residents skip car ownership entirely, particularly when commuting from areas outside the city centre.
- Is the internet expensive in Busan?
- Unlimited broadband at 60 Mbps or higher in Busan costs around $27 per month — useful context for remote workers comparing locations.