Busan skyline

🇰🇷Cost of Living in Busan

South Korea · Population: 3,400,000 · Cost Index: 62/100

Cost of Living in Busan

South Korea · Asia

Busan is South Korea's second-largest city and busiest port, famous for its stunning beaches, seafood markets, and the colorful Gamcheon Culture Village. It offers a more laid-back coastal lifestyle than Seoul with noticeably lower housing costs.

3,400,000

Population

62

Cost Index

80

Safety Index

72

Quality of Life

Average Monthly Cost: $1,800 (single person, excluding rent)

Cost Breakdown

Housing

Avg: $712.50
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$550.00
1-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$350.00
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center)(per month)
$1,200.00
3-Bedroom Apartment (Outside Center)(per month)
$750.00

Food & Groceries

Avg: $7.59
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant(per meal)
$6.00
Meal for 2 at Mid-Range Restaurant(per meal)
$35.00
McMeal at McDonald's(per meal)
$6.00
Milk (1 liter)(per liter)
$2.50
Bread (500g loaf)(per loaf)
$2.80
Rice (1 kg)(per kg)
$3.80
Eggs (12)(per dozen)
$2.80
Chicken Breast (1 kg)(per kg)
$8.50
Apples (1 kg)(per kg)
$5.50
Banana (1 kg)(per kg)
$3.00

Transportation

Avg: $10.20
Monthly Public Transit Pass(per month)
$45.00
One-Way Ticket (Local Transport)(per trip)
$1.00
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)(base fare)
$2.80
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)(per km)
$0.80
Gasoline (1 liter)(per liter)
$1.40

Utilities

Avg: $60.00
Basic Utilities (85m² Apartment)(per month)
$130.00
Mobile Phone Plan(per month)
$28.00
Internet (60 Mbps+)(per month)
$22.00

Healthcare

Avg: $18.67
Doctor Visit(per visit)
$18.00
Dentist Visit(per visit)
$30.00
Prescription Medicine (avg)(per prescription)
$8.00

Entertainment

Avg: $14.88
Fitness Club Monthly(per month)
$42.00
Cinema Ticket(per ticket)
$9.00
Cappuccino(per cup)
$4.00
Beer (0.5l) at Restaurant(per glass)
$4.50

Clothing

Avg: $56.67
Pair of Jeans (Levi's)(per pair)
$60.00
Summer Dress (Chain Store)(per item)
$30.00
Running Shoes (Nike, Adidas)(per pair)
$80.00

Compare Busan with another city

See how Busan stacks up against any other city in our database.

Quick Facts

Currency
KRW
Language
Korean
Cost Index
62/100
Safety Index
80/100
Quality of Life
72/100

Data last updated: 2026-01-15. Prices are approximate and shown in USD.