insidekorea: May 2025

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Seoul? (2025 Guide)

(서울 광화문에서 본 북악산, 경복궁과 청와대가 산 아래에 있어요
View of Bugaksan from Gwanghwamun, with Gyeongbokgung Palace and the Blue House nestled at the foot of the mountain.)

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Seoul? (2025 Guide)
A Practical Cost-of-Living Guide for Students, Job Seekers, and Expats

Seoul is one of the most vibrant and safest cities in the world. But many foreigners preparing to move here often ask:

“How much does it really cost to live in Seoul?”

This blog post outlines the average monthly living expenses in Seoul for one person, based on 2025 estimates.
If you're planning to study, work, or stay long-term in Korea, this guide is for you.

1. Housing: $300–$900/month (KRW 400,000–1,200,000)

Goshiwon: $300–$400 — Shared kitchen/bathroom, compact living
Studio (One-room): $500–$700 — Independent unit
Officetel: $700–$900 — Modern amenities, elevator, security

(원룸 내부 모습, 아담한 크기로 1인 또는 커플에게 알맞는 공간입니다

Interior of a studio apartment—compact but ideal for a single person or a couple.)

2. Food: $250–$400/month (KRW 330,000–530,000)

Cooking at home: $200–$250
Mixed dining & delivery: $300–$400
Meal prices: Kimbap ($5–$8),
Convenience meal ($4–$6), Delivery ($15–$25)
(일반적인 편의점, 동네 어디에나 이런 편의점이 있고 이곳에서 생필품과 간단한 식사 거리를 살 수 있어요 A typical convenience store—found in every neighborhood, offering daily essentials and quick meals. Snacks, instant meals, and drinks are available 24/7 — an affordable and convenient option for quick meals and groceries.)
3. Transportation: $50–$80/month (KRW 66,000–106,000)
Subway/bus fare: ~$1.10 per ride

T-money card or transit pass
Student discounts available
(지하철 내부, 서울은 지하철이 촘촘하게 있어서 편리하게 이동 할 수 있죠
Inside a Seoul subway train. The city’s extensive subway system makes transportation easy and efficient.)

(신용카드 또는 교통카드를 이용해서 버스와 지하철을 이용 할 수 있습니다

You can use a credit card or a transit card to ride buses and subways.)

4. Mobile & Internet: $30–$60/month (KRW 40,000–80,000)

Budget SIM: ~$30
Major carriers: $50–$60
Optional Wi-Fi rental: $10–$15

5. Other Expenses: $100–$200/month (KRW 130,000–260,000)

Gym: $30–$60/month
Cafe visits: $4–$6 per cup × weekly
Entertainment: $20–$50
Daily necessities: $30–$50

(동네 어디에나 있는 스타벅스, 서울에는 다른 카페도 많이 있어요 A Starbucks in the neighborhood—Seoul is filled with both global chains and unique local cafés.)

(빨래방, 저렴하게 빨래를 할 수 있어서 세탁기 없는 분들에게 편하죠 A coin laundry—an affordable option for those without a washing machine at home.)

(A modern self-service laundromat in Seoul. These facilities are open 24 hours and are commonly used by students and residents living in small studio apartments without in-unit washing machines.)

Total Monthly Cost by Lifestyle

Here’s a breakdown of monthly expenses by lifestyle type:

Lifestyle	Monthly Cost (USD / KRW)
Budget Lifestyle	$750–$900 (KRW 990,000–1,200,000)
Average Lifestyle	$1,100–$1,300 (KRW 1,450,000–1,700,000)
Comfortable Life	$1,400–$1,700 (KRW 1,850,000–2,250,000)

✅ Final Thoughts

Living costs in Seoul can vary significantly depending on your lifestyle.
But with smart planning, Seoul is a fantastic place to live — affordable, safe, and full of life.

Stay tuned for more practical guides from InsideKorea, including:

“10 Money-Saving Tips for Living in Seoul”
“Grocery Shopping in Korea: A Foreigner’s Guide”

아래 영상으로 서울의 렌트비용을 알아 보세요
Watch the video below to learn more about rent prices in Seoul.

"10 Reasons Why Netflix Loves Korean Content" — According to Its Founder

Every time a Netflix original becomes a global hit, Korean content is at the heart of it.

Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings recently said in an interview,
“We truly can’t help but love Korea,”
and shared 10 powerful reasons why.

His words deeply moved many Koreans.

1. Heartfelt Storytelling

Korean dramas capture the subtleties of human emotion.
Shows like Squid Game confront viewers with raw human nature and deep social critique.

2. Visuals Elevated to Art

Titles like Mr. Sunshine and Space Sweepers offer stunning cinematography,
seamless direction, and beautiful soundtracks—truly visual masterpieces.

3. Unforgettable Characters

K-drama characters feel like friends, lovers, or family.
They bring us laughter, tears, and emotional connection that lingers long after the show ends.

4. Genre-Breaking Imagination

With shows like Kingdom, Korea redefines genres—combining the Joseon dynasty with zombies!
K-content surprises the world with bold, fresh storytelling.

5. Relentless Innovation

Korea transforms webtoons into globally loved dramas,
adopting new tech and platforms to shape the future of entertainment.

6. Passionate Global Fandoms

Fans around the world connect through online communities,
sharing their love for Korean actors and stories—creating a global cultural movement.

7. A Land of Creative Talent

From brilliant writers and visionary directors
to captivating actors—Korea constantly produces world-class creators.

8. Cultural Diversity and Shared Humanity

Korean content reflects both tradition and modernity,
offering universal themes that resonate across cultures.

9. A Journey with Netflix

Korea isn’t just a content supplier.
Netflix sees Korea as a cultural partner, working together to share beauty with the world.

10. Endless Possibility and Passion

Korean creators never settle.
Their passion and creativity promise even greater stories to come.

Netflix boldly declares:

“Korean content gives back tenfold. It’s simply amazing.”

And adds:

“This isn’t just investment—it’s a promise rooted in deep respect and trust.”

The journey of K-content is far from over.
As Netflix puts it,
Korea truly is an extraordinary nation.

Best Time to Visit Korea: A Complete Guide to Its Vibrant Four Seasons

(서울 북촌 한옥마을, 전통가옥이 잘 보존되어 있어서 일년 내내 방문이 가능해요 Seoul's Bukchon Hanok Village, where traditional houses are well-preserved, making it a place you can visit all year round.)

Best Time To Visit Korea : 4 Seasons in Korea

Let's talk about the four seasons of Korea.

Korea is a country where all four seasons are clearly distinct spring, summer, fall and winter. Each season has had a deep and lasting impact on Korean life.

Understanding Korea's seasons helps you understand the lives of Korean people. Even the Bali Bali culture, this rush to move quickly, comes from the need to survive constant seasonal change.

If you didn't plant in spring, you couldn't harvest in fall. If you didn't gather firewood before winter, you couldn't make it through the cold. Koreans had to live in harmony with changing nature. Their stories are deeply tied to the rhythms of the seasons. Shall we take a seasonal journey together?

Spring in Korea lasts from March to May, with average temperatures ranging from minus 2 to 23 degrees Celsius. The school year begins in March, so if you're planning to study or move with children it's best to arrive before then.

(4월의 여의도 벚꽃, 한국의 봄은 온 천지에 꽃이 가득합니다 Yeouido cherry blossoms in April; Korea's spring is full of flowers everywhere.)

May is often called the Queen of seasons in Korea, it's lively beautiful and full of energy. April and May are the best months for visiting Korea.

If you want to feel Korea's vibrant spirit come in spring. But spring wasn't always joyful. In the past, food was scarce and farm work just beginning. People called this time the barley hump, a season of hunger and hard work. Spring brought hope but also struggle.

(오랫동안 한국의 봄은 힘든 계절이었어요. 6월 보리 수확 때까지 먹을 것이 부족해서 보릿고개라고도 불리웠답니다 For a long time, spring in Korea was a difficult season. There wasn't enough to eat until the barley harvest in June, which is why it was also called "Bori-gogae" (the barley hump).

Summer in Korea lasts from June to August. Temperatures range from 17 to 33 degrees Celsius. It's hot and humid with a rainy season -jangma- arriving in late June and early July. After the rains the real heat begins People escape to the mountains or beaches for relief vacation season runs from mid July to mid August.

(한여름 한강 변 수영장에서 맥주 한잔 하는 즐거움도 있죠 There's also the pleasure of enjoying a beer at a riverside swimming pool by the Han River in midsummer.)

At the Han River, outdoor pools and fountains draw big crowds. And in the evening a cold beer adds to the summer joy. A bowl of bingsu shaved ice with sweet toppings is a perfect way to cool down. Summer is great for beach and water sports, but it's not the easiest time for general travel in Korea.

(제가 좋아하는 팥빙수, 여러분도 더운 여름에 카페에서 드실 수 있어요 My favorite Patbingsu (red bean shaved ice), you can also enjoy it at a cafe during the hot summer.)

Autumn lasts from September to November with temperatures between 3 and 26 degrees Celsius. It's one of the best times to visit Korea alongside spring. Chuseok, Korea's version of Thanksgiving, takes place in fall. If you want to see Korea's stunning fall foliage, come in October or November. Autumn invites quiet walks, thoughtful reading and reflection. It's also a season filled with festivals and outdoor activities.

(아파트 단지에 노란 은행잎이 가을을 축하하고 있습니다 Yellow ginkgo leaves in the apartment complex are celebrating autumn.)

Winter in Korea runs from December to February. Temperatures drop to between minus 7 and 5 degrees Celsius and sometimes colder. Snow is common turning towns and cities white. Skiing and sledding are popular winter sports and warm soups and traditional dishes help chase away the chill. Even in the cold, a warm cafe with a hot cup of coffee can make winter feel cozy and memorable.

(도심의 겨울, 제가 촬영한 도심 설경인데 멋있지 않나요? Winter in the city center, a snowy urban landscape I photographed – isn't it stunning?)

(눈 내린 도심 아파트 단지 설경도 멋지죠? The snowy urban apartment complex landscape is also wonderful, isn't it?)

For travellers from warm countries buying winter clothes can be expensive and useless after the trip. That's why Incheon Airport offers winter coat rentals. You pick one up when you arrive and return it before departure. With a Korea Tour card, the rental may even be free. Consider using this service when visiting Korea in winter.

(겨울에는 따뜻한 나라에서 오신 분들을 위해서 인천공항에서 겨울옷을 대여 해주고 있어요. In winter, Incheon Airport offers winter clothing rental services for visitors from warmer countries.)

Korea's four seasons are more than weather patterns. They reflect a life of adaptation of harmony with change. The beauty of seasons came with hardship too, surviving the cold, preparing for harvest, enduring heat.

That's why the seasons are filled with the philosophy and soul of Korean life. To truly understand Korea, you must feel its seasons.

Spring brings hope,

Summer brings energy,

Autum brings reflection,

Winter brings calm.

I hope, this gave you a small taste of each season.

Now, Let me ask,

which season do you like the most?

Hope this video gives you a better sense of what Korea is like today.

insidekorea