Cost Of Living For a Student in Seongnam 2025
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Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: KRW
Average monthly spending for students in Seongnam
How much money does a student need in a month to survive in Seongnam?
Students in Seongnam spend around 1.9M KRW per month on average. Depending on the lifestyle, a student can survive with a monthly budget as low as 290,000 KRW or as high as 12M KRW. Location is a very important factor and has a huge influence on expenditure and budget.
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How do students spend their money in Seongnam?
We asked thousands of students about their spending habits and expenditure break down.
Housing and accomodation expenditure for students
Accomodation Cost21%
21% of total expenses on average (16% to 27%)
LOW | $51 69,000 KRW |
AVERAGE | $330 450,000 KRW |
HIGH | $2,200 3M KRW |
| Per Month |
Students in Seongnam typically spend from 16% to 27% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 21% being the average. The average monthly spend on housing is 450,000 KRW with expenditure ranging from 69,000 KRW to 3M KRW. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses.
Electricity, utilities, energy, water, internet, and mobile expenditure for students
Cost of utilities5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 9%)
LOW | $8.6 11,000 KRW |
AVERAGE | $56 74,000 KRW |
HIGH | $370 500,000 KRW |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Seongnam ranges from 3% to 9% of total expenses with 5% being the average for most students. The average monthly cost of utilities is 74,000 KRW with 11,000 KRW and 500,000 KRW being the upper and lower limits for a student of four.
Transport, fuel, and commute expenditure for students
Cost of transport and fuel5%
5% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
LOW | $15 20,000 KRW |
AVERAGE | $97 130,000 KRW |
HIGH | $650 870,000 KRW |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether a student resides near school and work, but roughly speaking a student would expect to spend from 20,000 KRW to 870,000 KRW in a month on commuting with 130,000 KRW being the norm for most students. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 5% of total spending on average but can go as low as 5% or as high as 11%.
Food, groceries, and basic shopping expenditure for students
Food and Groceries Cost22%
22% of total expenses on average (16% to 26%)
LOW | $43 57,000 KRW |
AVERAGE | $280 370,000 KRW |
HIGH | $1,900 2.5M KRW |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries and basic houshold items for a typical student in a month in Seongnam is 370,000 KRW. The cost of groceries can range between 57,000 KRW to 2.5M KRW. Students spend on average about 22% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 16% and 26% respectively.
Healthcare and medical services expenditure for students
Cost of healthcare8%
8% of total expenses on average (5% to 11%)
LOW | $13 17,000 KRW |
AVERAGE | $84 110,000 KRW |
HIGH | $560 740,000 KRW |
| Per Month |
Students in Seongnam allocate 5% to 11% 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 8%. The range of medical expenses range from 17,000 KRW to 740,000 KRW with 110,000 KRW being the norm for most students.
Leisure and shopping expenditure for students
Cost of leisure and shopping4%
4% of total expenses on average (2% to 8%)
LOW | $11 14,000 KRW |
AVERAGE | $70 93,000 KRW |
HIGH | $460 620,000 KRW |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 14,000 KRW to 620,000 KRW with 93,000 KRW being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 2% to 8% of total expenses with an average of 4% for most students.
Education and schooling expenditure for students
Cost of education and schooling19%
19% of total expenses on average (12% to 24%)
LOW | $41 54,000 KRW |
AVERAGE | $260 350,000 KRW |
HIGH | $1,800 2.4M KRW |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different students. On average, education constitutes 19% of the monthly expenditure of students with 12% and 24% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 350,000 KRW per month with 54,000 KRW being the minimum spent amount and 2.4M KRW being the maximum.
Other Expenses17%
17% of total expenses on average (11% to 23%)
LOW | $32 43,000 KRW |
AVERAGE | $210 280,000 KRW |
HIGH | $1,400 1.9M KRW |
| Per Month |
Prices and cost of goods and services in Seongnam
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Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
4,300 KRW | 8,600 KRW | 14,000 KRW |
Restaurant meal for one
14,000 KRW | 21,000 KRW | 41,000 KRW |
Fine dining meal for one
28,000 KRW | 41,000 KRW | 170,000 KRW |
Cappuccino or latte
3,600 KRW | 5,700 KRW | 8,600 KRW |
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
2,900 KRW | 3,400 KRW | 4,300 KRW |
12 eggs
2,200 KRW | 2,900 KRW | 4,300 KRW |
Fresh whole chicken
4,900 KRW | 6,300 KRW | 9,000 KRW |
Pack of beef
5,700 KRW | 8,600 KRW | 17,000 KRW |
Medium bag of rice
2,300 KRW | 3,200 KRW | 4,500 KRW |
Bag of tomatos
860 KRW | 1,100 KRW | 2,200 KRW |
Bag of apples
1,500 KRW | 2,000 KRW | 3,300 KRW |
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Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
3,500 KRW | 4,100 KRW | 8,300 KRW |
Average car full tank
22,000 KRW | 29,000 KRW | 57,000 KRW |
Average car 1-day rental
20,000 KRW | 27,000 KRW | 40,000 KRW |
Average car price
Bus ticket one way
660 KRW | 1,000 KRW | 2,000 KRW |
Car Service
27,000 KRW | 40,000 KRW | 80,000 KRW |
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Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Student
11,000 KRW | 74,000 KRW | 500,000 KRW |
Internet and cable
22,000 KRW | 43,000 KRW | 57,000 KRW |
Mobile phone charges
17,000 KRW | 29,000 KRW | 86,000 KRW |
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
11,000 KRW | 14,000 KRW | 22,000 KRW |
One month gym membership
32,000 KRW | 40,000 KRW | 80,000 KRW |
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Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
23,000 KRW | 33,000 KRW | 50,000 KRW |
Woman dress
22,000 KRW | 31,000 KRW | 100,000 KRW |
Woman shoes
21,000 KRW | 28,000 KRW | 66,000 KRW |
Men's shoes
18,000 KRW | 22,000 KRW | 44,000 KRW |
Men suit
20,000 KRW | 25,000 KRW | 130,000 KRW |
Regular t-shirt
10,000 KRW | 13,000 KRW | 40,000 KRW |
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Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
330,000 KRW | 500,000 KRW | 1.3M KRW |
1-bedroom apartment
500,000 KRW | 800,000 KRW | 2M KRW |
2-bedroom apartment
660,000 KRW | 1,000,000 KRW | 2.7M KRW |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
66M KRW | 100M KRW | 200M KRW |
1-bedroom apartment
80M KRW | 130M KRW | 500M KRW |
2-bedroom apartment
130M KRW | 400M KRW | 800M KRW |
$99,000 | $300,000 | $600,000 |
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Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
430,000 KRW | 540,000 KRW | 720,000 KRW |
Double Bed
290,000 KRW | 430,000 KRW | 540,000 KRW |
Single Bed
250,000 KRW | 330,000 KRW | 430,000 KRW |
Living Room
480,000 KRW | 620,000 KRW | 2.2M KRW |
Dining Table
220,000 KRW | 290,000 KRW | 540,000 KRW |
Sofa or Couch
290,000 KRW | 390,000 KRW | 860,000 KRW |
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Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
290,000 KRW | 430,000 KRW | 860,000 KRW |
Fridge or Freezer
250,000 KRW | 390,000 KRW | 540,000 KRW |
Washing Machine
330,000 KRW | 480,000 KRW | 860,000 KRW |
Stove or Cooker
310,000 KRW | 390,000 KRW | 540,000 KRW |
Mobile Phone
360,000 KRW | 430,000 KRW | 620,000 KRW |
Laptop or Computer
390,000 KRW | 480,000 KRW | 860,000 KRW |

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
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
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Low-cost alternatives in Seongnam
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 students how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options56%
Few low-cost options44%
Based on the survey, 56% of the students living in Seongnam have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 44% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
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Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Seongnam
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Seongnam
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
330,000 KRW | 500,000 KRW | 1.3M KRW |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
500,000 KRW | 800,000 KRW | 2M KRW |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
660,000 KRW | 1,000,000 KRW | 2.7M KRW |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
800,000 KRW | 1.3M KRW | 3.6M KRW |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
Townhouse monthly rent cost
House monthly rent cost
Villa monthly rent cost
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Seongnam ranges between 330,000 KRW and 1.3M KRW, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 500,000 KRW to 2M KRW. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 660,000 KRW and 2.7M KRW per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 800,000 KRW to 3.6M KRW. The average rent of a townhouse in Seongnam is around 2M KRW while house rental costs can be as high as 4M KRW per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 2M KRW to 8M KRW per month.
Apartment and house prices in Seongnam
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
66M KRW | 100M KRW | 200M KRW |
1-bedroom apartment price
80M KRW | 130M KRW | 500M KRW |
2-bedroom apartment price
130M KRW | 400M KRW | 800M KRW |
$99,000 | $300,000 | $600,000 |
3-bedroom apartment price
440M KRW | 660M KRW | 2,000M KRW |
Townhouse price
570M KRW | 1,300M KRW | 5,000M KRW |
House price
660M KRW | 4,000M KRW | 5,700M KRW |
Villa price
800M KRW | 4,400M KRW | 6,600M KRW |
The average price of a studio apartment in Seongnam can range from 66M KRW to 200M KRW depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 80M KRW to 500M KRW. A villa can cost you 4,400M KRW on average with prices ranging from 800M KRW to 6,600M KRW.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Seongnam will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
40 | x117 monthly income | 205 |
Property prices in Seongnam can be x117 to x205 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x117 multiples of the average monthly salary in Seongnam.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Seongnam is around 31%. This means that people pay 31% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 21% to 41% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
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.
Housing Affordability Index
29% 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.
5,700 KRW | 74,000 KRW | 740,000 KRW |
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.
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Affordable living in Seongnam
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked students one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Seongnam?
Around 69% of surveyed students think that living in Seongnam is affordable with proper budgeting while 32% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
Emergency Funds For Students
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 students whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes64%
No36%
Based on the survey, 36% of the students living in Seongnam said that they don't have an emergency fund while 64% said that they do.
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Financial Literacy in
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 student guardians and parents in Seongnam 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 students of 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%
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Seongnam
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Seongnam
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Student
11,000 KRW | 74,000 KRW | 500,000 KRW |
Internet and cable cost
22,000 KRW | 43,000 KRW | 57,000 KRW |
Mobile phone bill and charges
17,000 KRW | 29,000 KRW | 86,000 KRW |
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly energy and water consumption of students is around 74,000 KRW. The cost of internet and WiFi ranges from 22,000 KRW to 57,000 KRW with 43,000 KRW being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 29,000 KRW but can range between 17,000 KRW and 86,000 KRW depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Seongnam is around 4.8%. This means that people pay 4.8% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 1.9% to 8.7% depending on salary and location.
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Seongnam
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Seongnam
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
4,300 KRW | 8,600 KRW | 14,000 KRW |
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Seongnam is approximatly 8,600 KRW with meal cost ranging from 4,300 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 |
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 Seongnam.
Fine dining meal for one price
28,000 KRW | 41,000 KRW | 170,000 KRW |
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 Seongnam.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
3,600 KRW | 5,700 KRW | 8,600 KRW |
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Seongnam is around 5,700 KRW. Price ranges between 3,600 KRW and 8,600 KRW depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
2,900 KRW | 3,400 KRW | 4,300 KRW |
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Seongnam is 3,400 KRW. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 4,300 KRW and the minimum being 2,900 KRW depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
2,200 KRW | 2,900 KRW | 4,300 KRW |
A dozen eggs costs around 2,900 KRW on average with 2,200 KRW and 4,300 KRW being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
4,900 KRW | 6,300 KRW | 9,000 KRW |
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Seongnam is between 4,900 KRW and 9,000 KRW depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 6,300 KRW.
Pack of beef price
5,700 KRW | 8,600 KRW | 17,000 KRW |
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 8,600 KRW. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
2,300 KRW | 3,200 KRW | 4,500 KRW |
A bag of rice in Seongnam costs around 3,200 KRW on average with prices rangeing between 2,300 KRW and 4,500 KRW depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
860 KRW | 1,100 KRW | 2,200 KRW |
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 860 KRW to 2,200 KRW. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
1,500 KRW | 2,000 KRW | 3,300 KRW |
A bag of apples costs 2,000 KRW on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for students
Students' spending on grocery ranges from 57,000 KRW to 2.5M KRW with the location, income, and size of the student being the most determinite factors.