Cost Of Living For a Couple in Korea (South) 2024

Average monthly spending for couples in Korea (South)

How much money does a couple need in a month to survive in Korea (South)?

Couples in Korea (South) spend around 4.4M KRW per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a couple can survive with a monthly budget as low as 1.5M KRW or as high as 24M KRW. Location and income are very important factors and have a huge influence on expenditure and budget.

Couple expenditure to income ratio in Korea (South)

Analysing the how affordable it is for couples to live in Korea (South)

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. Couples usually spend a larger chunk of their income than other population groups. A typical and healthy expenditure percentage for a couple of four ranges between 70% to 80%.

Couples in Korea (South) spend around 79% of their monthly income. Some couples spend as low as 71% of their income while some as high as 87%.

How do couples spend their money in Korea (South)?

We asked thousands of couples about their spending habits and expenditure break down.

Housing and accomodation expenditure for couples

Couples in Korea (South) typically spend from 23% to 40% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 30% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 1.5M KRW with expenditure ranging from 500,000 KRW to 8.1M KRW. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.

Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for couples

Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Korea (South) ranges from 4% to 10% of total expenses with 6% being the average for most couples. The average monthly cost of utilities is 200,000 KRW with 59,000 KRW and 1.3M KRW being the upper and lower limits for a couple of four.

Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for couples

Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a couple resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a couple would expect to spend from 180,000 KRW to 2.8M KRW in a month on commuting with 530,000 KRW being the norm for most couples. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 11% of total spending on average but can go as low as 5% or as high as 16%.

Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for couples

The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical couple in a month in Korea (South) is 620,000 KRW. The cost of groceries can range between 210,000 KRW to 3.3M KRW. Couples spend on average about 15% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 10% and 20% respectively.

Healthcare and medical services expenditure for couples

Couples in Korea (South) allocate 6% to 16% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending on medical services and clinic visits is around 12%. The range of medical expenses range from 160,000 KRW to 2.6M KRW with 490,000 KRW being the norm for most couples.

Leisure and shopping expenditure for couples

This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 89,000 KRW to 1.4M KRW with 270,000 KRW being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 5% for most couples.

Education and schooling expenditure for couples

Spending on education can vary drastically between different couples. On average, education constitutes 2% of the monthly expenditure of couples with 1% and 4% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 89,000 KRW per month with 30,000 KRW being the minimum spent amount and 470,000 KRW being the maximum.

What percentage of couples in Korea (South) are able to save money and how much can they save?

Percentage of couples that reported their ability to save money

Almost 66% of surveyed couples in Korea (South) said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 34% reported that they have to utilize their whole income to survive.

How much money do couples manage to add to their savings?

Saving to Income Ratio

Average Monthly Saved Amount

Savings to income distribution levels for couples

Interpretation and Analysis

Couples that are able to save money can put anywhere from 12% to 32% of their monthly income to their savings, with 21% being the average for most couples. The average monthly amount of money that couples can put aside is 1.7M KRW with 580,000 KRW and 9.3M KRW being the minimum and maximum respectively.

Saving Challenges in Korea (South)

Reasons that make it difficult for couples to save money

We wanted to understand what is stopping couples from maximizing their savings in Korea (South). Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.

Around 7% of the couples said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 10% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 19% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 10% 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. 9% of couples 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. 7% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 17% 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. 10% 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 couples in Korea (South)

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 Korea (South)

Income and cost of living compatibility

We asked couples one simple question and recorded their answers.

Is it affordable or economical to live in Korea (South)?

Around 71% of surveyed couples think that living in Korea (South) is affordable with proper budgeting while 29% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.

Low-cost alternatives in Korea (South)

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 couples how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:

Plenty of low-cost options58%

Few low-cost options42%

Based on the survey, 58% of the couples living in Korea (South) have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 42% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.

Emergency Funds For Couples

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 couples of Korea (South) whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.

Yes66%

No34%

Based on the survey, 34% of the couples living in Korea (South) said that they don't have an emergency fund while 66% 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 couple guardians and parents in 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 couples 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 couples in Korea (South)

In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Korea (South), 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 6% of couples said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 32% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 7% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 9% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 16% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 9% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 11% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 8% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.

Debt, loans, and mortgages in Korea (South)

Percentage of couples who are in debt

According to the survey, 31% of the couples in Korea (South) have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 69% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.

Debt-to-income ratio in Korea (South)

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 28% of a couple's monthly income in Korea (South) goes to debt settlement.

Debt levels

Monthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income

According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Korea (South) pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 11% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 11% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 13% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 16% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.

Distribution by type of debt in Korea (South)

14% of debtors in Korea (South) confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 24% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 23% of people and personal loans rose at 36%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Korea (South).

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 Korea (South)

Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked couples of Korea (South) 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 Korea (South)

Rent Cost in Korea (South)

Monthly Rent Prices

Studio apartment monthly rent cost

340,000 KRW

520,000 KRW

1.4M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$260

$390

$1,000

1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

520,000 KRW

830,000 KRW

2.1M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$390

$620

$1,500

2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

690,000 KRW

1M KRW

2.8M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$520

$770

$2,100

3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost

830,000 KRW

1.4M KRW

3.8M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$620

$1,000

$2,800

Furnished apartment monthly rent cost

1.7M KRW

4.1M KRW

8.3M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1,200

$3,100

$6,200

Townhouse monthly rent cost

1.4M KRW

2.1M KRW

5.9M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1,000

$1,500

$4,400

House monthly rent cost

1.7M KRW

4.1M KRW

8.3M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1,200

$3,100

$6,200

Villa monthly rent cost

2.1M KRW

5.2M KRW

8.3M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1,500

$3,900

$6,200

The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Korea (South) ranges between 340,000 KRW and 1.4M KRW, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 520,000 KRW to 2.1M KRW. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 690,000 KRW and 2.8M KRW per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 830,000 KRW to 3.8M KRW. The average rent of a townhouse in Korea (South) is around 2.1M KRW while house rental costs can be as high as 4.1M KRW per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 2.1M KRW to 8.3M KRW per month.

Apartment and house prices in Korea (South)

Cost of buying a property

Studio apartment price

69M KRW

100M KRW

210M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$52,000

$77,000

$150,000

1-bedroom apartment price

83M KRW

140M KRW

520M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$62,000

$100,000

$390,000

2-bedroom apartment price

140M KRW

410M KRW

830M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$100,000

$310,000

$620,000

3-bedroom apartment price

460M KRW

690M KRW

2,100M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$340,000

$520,000

$1.5M

Townhouse price

590M KRW

1,400M KRW

5,200M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$440,000

$1M

$3.9M

House price

690M KRW

4,100M KRW

5,900M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$520,000

$3.1M

$4.4M

Villa price

830M KRW

4,600M KRW

6,900M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$620,000

$3.4M

$5.2M

The average price of a studio apartment in Korea (South) can range from 69M KRW to 210M KRW depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 83M KRW to 520M KRW. A villa can cost you 4,600M KRW on average with prices ranging from 830M KRW to 6,900M KRW.

House / apartment prices to income ratio

Property prices in Korea (South) can be x121 to x212 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x121 multiples of the average monthly salary in Korea (South).

Rent to income ratio

The average rent-to-income ratio in Korea (South) is around 32%. This means that people pay 32% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 22% to 42% 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 Korea (South)

Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Korea (South)

Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple

59,000 KRW

200,000 KRW

1.3M KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$44

$150

$980

Internet and cable cost

21,000 KRW

41,000 KRW

55,000 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$15

$31

$41

Mobile phone bill and charges

17,000 KRW

28,000 KRW

83,000 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$12

$21

$62

The average monthly energy and water consumption of couples is around 200,000 KRW. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 21,000 KRW to 55,000 KRW with 41,000 KRW being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 28,000 KRW but can range between 17,000 KRW and 83,000 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 Korea (South) is around 5%. This means that people pay 5% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2% to 9% depending on salary and location.

Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Korea (South)

Prices and cost of goods and services in Korea (South)

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

Fast food combo meal price

4,100 KRW

8,300 KRW

14,000 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$3.1

$6.2

$10

The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Korea (South) is approximatly 8,300 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

41,000 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$10

$15

$31

If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 14,000 KRW and 41,000 KRW with 21,000 KRW being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Korea (South).

Fine dining meal for one price

28,000 KRW

41,000 KRW

170,000 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$21

$31

$120

The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 28,000 KRW to 170,000 KRW with the average cost being 41,000 KRW for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Korea (South).

Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..

3,400 KRW

5,500 KRW

8,300 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2.6

$4.1

$6.2

The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Korea (South) is around 5,500 KRW. Price ranges between 3,400 KRW and 8,300 KRW depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.

Grocery and market costs

Large bottle of milk price

2,800 KRW

3,300 KRW

4,100 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$2.1

$2.5

$3.1

The average price of a large bottle of milk in Korea (South) is 3,300 KRW. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 4,100 KRW and the minimum being 2,800 KRW depending on the brand of milk and other properties.

12 eggs price

2,100 KRW

2,800 KRW

4,100 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.5

$2.1

$3.1

A dozen eggs costs around 2,800 KRW on average with 2,100 KRW and 4,100 KRW being the lower and upper limits respectively.

Fresh whole chicken price

4,700 KRW

6,100 KRW

8,600 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$3.5

$4.5

$6.4

The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Korea (South) is between 4,700 KRW and 8,600 KRW depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 6,100 KRW.

Pack of beef price

5,500 KRW

8,300 KRW

17,000 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$4.1

$6.2

$12

The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 8,300 KRW. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.

Medium bag of rice price

2,200 KRW

3,000 KRW

4,300 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.7

$2.3

$3.2

A bag of rice in Korea (South) costs around 3,000 KRW on average with prices rangeing between 2,200 KRW and 4,300 KRW depending on the brand and quality.

Bag of tomatos price

830 KRW

1,100 KRW

2,100 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$0.62

$0.82

$1.5

A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 830 KRW to 2,100 KRW. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.

Bag of apples price

1,500 KRW

1,900 KRW

3,200 KRW

MINIMUM

AVERAGE

MAXIMUM

$1.1

$1.4

$2.4

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 Korea (South) is around 25%. This means that couples spend 25% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 17% to 31% depending on salary and location.

Expenditure on food and grocery for couples