Cost Of Living in Busan 2024

Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Busan

Whether you're living in Busan or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.

Singles

The average monthly expense for a single person living in Busan is 2.8M KRW. Expenses can range from 400,000 KRW at the minimum level to 19M KRW at the highest end.

Couples

The average monthly spending of couples in Busan is 4.7M KRW. Expenditure can range from 1.6M KRW to 25M KRW per month.

Families

The average cost of living for families in Busan is 6.3M KRW per month. Families spend anywhere from 2.2M KRW to 41M KRW.

Students

The average monthly expenditure for students in Busan is 2.1M KRW. Students spend from 320,000 KRW to 14M KRW per month.

Expenditure to Income Ratio in Busan

One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.

Expense to income distribution levels

Interpretation and Analysis

The average spending-to-salary ratio in Busan is 88% This means that on average, people spend around 88% of their income for living. According to the distribution table, 17% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.

Individual
80%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

72%

88%

Couple
84%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

76%

93%

Family
93%
Spending-Income-Ratio

---

84%

100%

How do people spend their money in Busan?

We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.

People living in Busan typically spend from 15% to 34% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 26% being the average. The average spend on housing is 1.2M KRW with expenditure ranging from 95,000 KRW to 12M KRW. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Busan ranges from 4% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 210,000 KRW with 16,000 KRW and 2.1M KRW being the upper and lower limits.

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 32,000 KRW to 4.1M KRW on commuting with 410,000 KRW being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 8% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 12%.

The average outlay on groceries in a month in Busan is 1M KRW. The cost of groceries can range between 79,000 KRW to 10M KRW. People spend on average about 27% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 19% and 33% respectively.

People in Busan allocate 4% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 22,000 KRW to 2.9M KRW with 290,000 KRW being the norm.

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 13,000 KRW to 1.6M KRW with 160,000 KRW being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 3% to 9% of total expenses with an average of 5% for most residents.

Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 6% of the monthly expenditure with 4% and 12% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 250,000 KRW per month with 19,000 KRW being the minimum spent amount and 2.5M KRW being the maximum.

How much money can you save in Busan every month?

We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.

What percentage of people in Busan manage to save money from their income every month?

Almost 65% of the surveyed people in Busan said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 35% said that aren't saving anything.

Percentage of people saving money by population group in Busan

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

For most people, 12% to 33% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 20% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 1.6M KRW on average with savings ranging from 120,000 KRW to 16M KRW.

75% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 70% of couples said the same. 65% of families confirmed their ability to save money.

How much money do people actually save in Busan?

Singles

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for singles

Interpretation and Analysis

Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 15% to 35% of their monthly income to savings, with 25% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 1.1M KRW with 120,000 KRW and 7.4M KRW being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Couples

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 13% to 34% of their monthly income, with 22% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 1.9M KRW with 620,000 KRW and 9.9M KRW being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Families

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for families

Interpretation and Analysis

Families in Busan can save anywhere between 11% to 31% of their monthly income, with 19% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 2.5M KRW with 860,000 KRW and 16M KRW being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Saving Challenges in Busan

Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Busan. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.

Around 6% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 17% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 11% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 10% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 6% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 18% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 11% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.

Typical saving choices for people in Busan

Where do people choose to put their savings?

A typical and healthy budgeting structure

The 50/30/20 rule

Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle, location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.

• 50% for needs and financial obligations

  This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.

• 30% for wants and discretionary spending

  This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.

• 20% for savings and emergency fund

  This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.

About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting

Affordable living in Busan

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Busan?

Around 76% of surveyed residents think that living in Busan is affordable with proper budgeting while 24% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Busan

People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options62%

Few low-cost options38%

Based on the survey, 62% of the people living in Busan have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 38% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds

An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents of Busan whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes70%

No30%

Based on the survey, 30% of the people living in Busan said that they don't have an emergency fund while 70% said that they do.

Financial Literacy in Korea (South)

Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.

Financial Leteracy66%

We asked residents of Korea (South) whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 34% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 66% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.

Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning

We wanted to understand whether residents of Korea (South) have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 39% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 61% said that they have everything under control.

Struggles with finance39%

Easily manages finances61%

Financial goals of people in Busan

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Busan, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.

Around 7% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 36% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 8% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 8% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 10% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 10% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Busan

What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Busan and how much retirement savings are required?

Retirement age

The retirement age for most employees in Korea (South) is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.

Retirement planning and savings

There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.

Retirement Income Distribution

We asked residents of Busan about their retirement income sources and below are the results.

Retirement Monthly Expenses in Busan

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Busan

Percentage of people who are in debt

According to the survey, 33% of the people in Busan have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 67% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.

Debt-to-income ratio in Busan

Interpretation

The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 30% of the people's monthly income in Busan goes to debt settlement.

Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Busan pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 13% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 12% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 14% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 14% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.

Distribution by type of debt in Busan

12% of debtors in Busan confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 26% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 20% of people and personal loans rose at 38%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Busan.

Good debt vs. Bad debt

Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.

Loan Affordability Index in Busan

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents of Busan how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.

Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.

Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Busan

Rent Cost in Busan

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

370,000 KRW

550,000 KRW

1.5M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$270

$410

$1,100

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

550,000 KRW

880,000 KRW

2.2M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$410

$660

$1,600

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

730,000 KRW

1.1M KRW

2.9M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$550

$820

$2,200

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

880,000 KRW

1.5M KRW

4M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$660

$1,100

$3,000

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

1.8M KRW

4.4M KRW

8.8M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1,300

$3,300

$6,600

Townhouse monthly rent cost

1.5M KRW

2.2M KRW

6.3M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1,100

$1,600

$4,700

House monthly rent cost

1.8M KRW

4.4M KRW

8.8M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1,300

$3,300

$6,600

Villa monthly rent cost

2.2M KRW

5.5M KRW

8.8M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1,600

$4,100

$6,600

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Busan ranges between 370,000 KRW and 1.5M KRW, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 550,000 KRW to 2.2M KRW. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 730,000 KRW and 2.9M KRW per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 880,000 KRW to 4M KRW. The average rent of a townhouse in Busan is around 2.2M KRW while house rental costs can be as high as 4.4M KRW per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 2.2M KRW to 8.8M KRW per month.

Apartment and house prices in Busan

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

73M KRW

110M KRW

220M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$55,000

$82,000

$160,000

1-bedroom apartment price

88M KRW

150M KRW

550M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$66,000

$110,000

$410,000

2-bedroom apartment price

150M KRW

440M KRW

880M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$110,000

$330,000

$660,000

3-bedroom apartment price

490M KRW

730M KRW

2,200M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$370,000

$550,000

$1.6M

Townhouse price

630M KRW

1,500M KRW

5,500M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$470,000

$1.1M

$4.1M

House price

730M KRW

4,400M KRW

6,300M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$550,000

$3.3M

$4.7M

Villa price

880M KRW

4,900M KRW

7,300M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$660,000

$3.7M

$5.5M

The average price of a studio apartment in Busan can range from 73M KRW to 220M KRW depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 88M KRW to 550M KRW. A villa can cost you 4,900M KRW on average with prices ranging from 880M KRW to 7,300M KRW.

House / apartment prices to income ratio

Property prices in Busan can be x129 to x226 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x129 multiples of the average monthly salary in Busan.

Rent to income ratio

The average rent-to-income ratio in Busan is around 34%. This means that people pay 34% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 23% to 45% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.

Housing affordability index

The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.

Property Taxes

Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.

Home Maintenance Costs

Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.

Urban vs. rural living costs

Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.

Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Busan

Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Busan

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual

24,000 KRW

170,000 KRW

1.1M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$18

$130

$850

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

63,000 KRW

210,000 KRW

1.4M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$47

$160

$1,000

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family

110,000 KRW

320,000 KRW

2.1M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$83

$240

$1,500

Internet and cable cost

20,000 KRW

41,000 KRW

54,000 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$15

$30

$41

Mobile phone bill and charges

16,000 KRW

27,000 KRW

81,000 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$12

$20

$61

The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Busan ranges between 24,000 KRW and 1.1M KRW with average being 170,000 KRW, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 210,000 KRW with 63,000 KRW and 1.4M KRW being the upper and lower limits respectively. As expected, the energy and water consumption of families is the highest among the three groups with an average of 320,000 KRW. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 20,000 KRW to 54,000 KRW with 41,000 KRW being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 27,000 KRW but can range between 16,000 KRW and 81,000 KRW depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.

Energy / Utility expense to income ratio

The average utility-to-income ratio in Busan is around 5.3%. This means that people pay 5.3% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.1% to 9.6% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Busan

Prices and cost of goods and services in Busan

Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.

Fast food combo meal price

4,100 KRW

8,100 KRW

14,000 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$3

$6.1

$10

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Busan is approximatly 8,100 KRW with meal cost ranging from 4,100 KRW to 14,000 KRW. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.

Restaurant meal for one price

14,000 KRW

21,000 KRW

42,000 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$11

$16

$32

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 14,000 KRW and 42,000 KRW with 21,000 KRW being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Busan.

Fine dining meal for one price

28,000 KRW

42,000 KRW

170,000 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$21

$32

$130

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 28,000 KRW to 170,000 KRW with the average cost being 42,000 KRW for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Busan.

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

3,400 KRW

5,400 KRW

8,100 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2.5

$4.1

$6.1

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Busan is around 5,400 KRW. Price ranges between 3,400 KRW and 8,100 KRW depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.

Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

2,700 KRW

3,300 KRW

4,100 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2

$2.4

$3

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Busan is 3,300 KRW. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 4,100 KRW and the minimum being 2,700 KRW depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

2,000 KRW

2,700 KRW

4,100 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.5

$2

$3

A dozen eggs costs around 2,700 KRW on average with 2,000 KRW and 4,100 KRW being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

4,600 KRW

6,000 KRW

8,500 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$3.5

$4.5

$6.3

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Busan is between 4,600 KRW and 8,500 KRW depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 6,000 KRW.

Pack of beef price

5,400 KRW

8,100 KRW

16,000 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$4.1

$6.1

$12

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 8,100 KRW. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

2,200 KRW

3,000 KRW

4,200 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.6

$2.2

$3.2

A bag of rice in Busan costs around 3,000 KRW on average with prices rangeing between 2,200 KRW and 4,200 KRW depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

810 KRW

1,100 KRW

2,000 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.61

$0.81

$1.5

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 810 KRW to 2,000 KRW. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

1,500 KRW

1,900 KRW

3,100 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.1

$1.4

$2.3

A bag of apples costs 1,900 KRW on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio

The average grocery-to-income ratio in Busan is around 27%. This means that people spend 27% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 18% to 33% depending on salary and location.

Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group

A single person living alone spends approximately 450,000 KRW per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 65,000 KRW and 3M KRW depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 660,000 KRW per month. That number can be get as low as 220,000 KRW or a high as 3.5M KRW. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 400,000 KRW to 7.4M KRW with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.

SingleSpending habits, consumption analysis, and expenditure patterns for a single person living in Busan

CoupleAverage monthly living expenditure breaks and spending patterns for couples in Busan

FamilyAverage monthly expenses and break out of spending for families living in Busan

StudentCost of living and expenses break down for students living in Busan