Cost of Living: South Korea vs Australia

Detailed comparison of living costs and expenses between South Korea and Australia.

Data updated: October 2026

Quick Comparison Summary

In simple terms, living in South Korea is 40.2% cheaper than Australia. The biggest difference is in Property Prices, where costs are 104.5% higher. This means that for every $100 you spend in Australia, you would spend about $60 in South Korea for the same standard of living.

Key Differences

Other Expenses 89.5%

South Korea is 89.5% cheaper

Rent Per Month 41.2%

South Korea is 41.2% cheaper

Restaurants 30.9%

South Korea is 30.9% cheaper

Cost of Living Index

Overall Difference 40.2%

South Korea is 40.2% cheaper than Australia

Most Expensive Categories

  • Property Prices +104.5%
  • Childcare +70.7%
  • Sports And Leisure +4.3%

Is South Korea cheaper than Australia?

Yes, South Korea is cheaper than Australia

Overall, living costs in South Korea are 40.2% lower than in Australia.

Where South Korea is cheaper:

  • Other Expenses 89.5% cheaper
  • Rent Per Month 41.2% cheaper
  • Restaurants 30.9% cheaper

Where South Korea is more expensive:

  • Property Prices 104.5% more expensive
  • Childcare 70.7% more expensive
  • Sports And Leisure 4.3% more expensive

Practical Examples

Basic restaurant meal

South Korea: 7.30 $ Australia: 16.22 $
55.0% cheaper in South Korea

1-bedroom apartment in city center

South Korea: 664.54 $ Australia: 1,381.57 $
51.9% cheaper in South Korea

Monthly public transport pass

South Korea: 46.70 $ Australia: 97.35 $
52.0% cheaper in South Korea

1 liter of milk

South Korea: 2.16 $ Australia: 1.53 $
41.2% more expensive in South Korea

Summary

Based on comprehensive cost of living data, South Korea is indeed cheaper than Australia. You would save approximately 40.2% on living expenses by choosing South Korea over Australia. This includes all major expense categories such as housing, food, transportation, and utilities.

Overall Cost of Living Comparison

40.2%

South Korea is 40.2% cheaper than Australia

Restaurants

30.9%

South Korea is 30.9% cheaper than Australia in this category

Markets

21.4%

South Korea is 21.4% cheaper than Australia in this category

Other Expenses

89.5%

South Korea is 89.5% cheaper than Australia in this category

Transportation

0.4%

South Korea is 0.4% cheaper than Australia in this category

Household Utilities

4.6%

South Korea is 4.6% cheaper than Australia in this category

Mobile and Internet

22.7%

South Korea is 22.7% cheaper than Australia in this category

Sports And Leisure

4.3%

South Korea is 4.3% more expensive than Australia in this category

Childcare

70.7%

South Korea is 70.7% more expensive than Australia in this category

Clothing And Shoes

12.1%

South Korea is 12.1% cheaper than Australia in this category

Rent Per Month

41.2%

South Korea is 41.2% cheaper than Australia in this category

Property Prices

104.5%

South Korea is 104.5% more expensive than Australia in this category

Salaries And Financing

30.0%

South Korea is 30.0% cheaper than Australia in this category

Detailed Cost Comparison

Item South Korea Australia Difference
Basic Restaurant Meal 7.30 $ 16.22 $ 55.0%
South Korea is 55.0% cheaper
Three-Course Dinner for Two in Mid Range Restaurant 43.78 $ 77.88 $ 43.8%
South Korea is 43.8% cheaper
McDonald's Fast Food Combo Meal 5.84 $ 9.73 $ 40.0%
South Korea is 40.0% cheaper
Regular Cappuccino 3.74 $ 3.48 $ 7.5%
South Korea is 7.5% more expensive
Soft Drink (330ml) 1.60 $ 2.62 $ 38.9%
South Korea is 38.9% cheaper
Bottled Water (330ml) 0.80 $ 2.16 $ 63.0%
South Korea is 63.0% cheaper
Bottled Water (1.5L) 1.17 $ 1.51 $ 22.5%
South Korea is 22.5% cheaper
Local Beer (500ml) 2.15 $ 5.69 $ 62.2%
South Korea is 62.2% cheaper
Imported Beer (330ml) 3.28 $ 1.29 $ 154.3%
South Korea is 154.3% more expensive
Mid-Range Wine 18.42 $ 7.97 $ 131.1%
South Korea is 131.1% more expensive
Local Beer (500ml bottle) 1.79 $ 1.43 $ 25.2%
South Korea is 25.2% more expensive
Milk (1L) 2.16 $ 1.53 $ 41.2%
South Korea is 41.2% more expensive
Fresh Bread (500g) 3.08 $ 2.45 $ 25.7%
South Korea is 25.7% more expensive
White Rice (1kg) 3.04 $ 2.05 $ 48.3%
South Korea is 48.3% more expensive
Eggs (12 pack) 3.01 $ 4.31 $ 30.2%
South Korea is 30.2% cheaper
Local Cheese (1kg) 13.51 $ 8.89 $ 52.0%
South Korea is 52.0% more expensive
Chicken Breast (1kg) 9.26 $ 8.44 $ 9.7%
South Korea is 9.7% more expensive
Beef (1kg) 11.89 $ 13.88 $ 14.3%
South Korea is 14.3% cheaper
Apples (1kg) 7.83 $ 3.19 $ 145.5%
South Korea is 145.5% more expensive
Bananas (1kg) 3.44 $ 2.75 $ 25.1%
South Korea is 25.1% more expensive
Oranges (1kg) 5.86 $ 2.93 $ 100.0%
South Korea is 100.0% more expensive
Tomatoes (1kg) 5.95 $ 4.30 $ 38.4%
South Korea is 38.4% more expensive
Potatoes (1kg) 3.82 $ 2.47 $ 54.7%
South Korea is 54.7% more expensive
Onions (1kg) 2.87 $ 2.14 $ 34.1%
South Korea is 34.1% more expensive
Lettuce (1 head) 2.46 $ 2.22 $ 10.8%
South Korea is 10.8% more expensive
Monthly Transit Pass 46.70 $ 97.35 $ 52.0%
South Korea is 52.0% cheaper
Cigarettes (20 pack) 3.28 $ 31.15 $ 89.5%
South Korea is 89.5% cheaper
Single Bus/Train Ticket 1.09 $ 2.92 $ 62.7%
South Korea is 62.7% cheaper
Taxi Base Fare 3.28 $ 3.89 $ 15.7%
South Korea is 15.7% cheaper
Taxi per Kilometer 0.63 $ 1.88 $ 66.5%
South Korea is 66.5% cheaper
Taxi Waiting Hourly Rate 8.76 $ 37.90 $ 76.9%
South Korea is 76.9% cheaper
Gasoline (1L) 1.21 $ 1.18 $ 2.5%
South Korea is 2.5% more expensive
New Economy Car 27,533.97 $ 28,829.12 $ 4.5%
South Korea is 4.5% cheaper
New Mid-Range Car 23,760.79 $ 22,658.59 $ 4.9%
South Korea is 4.9% more expensive
Monthly Utilities (80m² size) 167.81 $ 175.90 $ 4.6%
South Korea is 4.6% cheaper
10 GB Mobile Plan with Data 39.98 $ 26.66 $ 50.0%
South Korea is 50.0% more expensive
High-Speed Internet (> 60 Mbps) 21.62 $ 52.98 $ 59.2%
South Korea is 59.2% cheaper
Gym Membership 51.55 $ 47.43 $ 8.7%
South Korea is 8.7% more expensive
Tennis Court (Weekend) 19.16 $ 16.59 $ 15.5%
South Korea is 15.5% more expensive
Movie Ticket 10.95 $ 14.28 $ 23.3%
South Korea is 23.3% cheaper
Private Preschool (Full Day) 390.68 $ 1,570.69 $ 75.1%
South Korea is 75.1% cheaper
International School (Yearly) 23,384.11 $ 12,354.33 $ 89.3%
South Korea is 89.3% more expensive
1 Pair of Jeans 57.33 $ 71.57 $ 19.9%
South Korea is 19.9% cheaper
1 Summer Dress 48.56 $ 50.87 $ 4.5%
South Korea is 4.5% cheaper
1 Pair of Running Shoes 80.98 $ 102.13 $ 20.7%
South Korea is 20.7% cheaper
1 Pair of Business Shoes 106.94 $ 109.73 $ 2.5%
South Korea is 2.5% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 664.54 $ 1,381.57 $ 51.9%
South Korea is 51.9% cheaper
1-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 420.36 $ 1,095.96 $ 61.6%
South Korea is 61.6% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (City Center) 1,731.79 $ 2,332.99 $ 25.8%
South Korea is 25.8% cheaper
3-Bedroom Apartment (Suburbs) 1,029.07 $ 1,729.44 $ 40.5%
South Korea is 40.5% cheaper
Apartment Price (City Center) per m² 14,757.18 $ 6,794.53 $ 117.2%
South Korea is 117.2% more expensive
Apartment Price (Suburbs) per m² 9,536.42 $ 5,084.33 $ 87.6%
South Korea is 87.6% more expensive
Average Monthly Salary (after tax) 2,534.88 $ 3,619.71 $ 30.0%
South Korea is 30.0% cheaper
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate 4.33 6.35 31.8%
South Korea is 31.8% cheaper

Cost of Living Calculator

Calculate how your current expenses would change if you moved to Australia. Enter your monthly expenses in South Korea to see the equivalent costs.

Housing

Food & Dining

Transportation

Other Expenses

Our Methodology

Our cost of living comparisons are based on a robust methodology that combines multiple data sources and regular updates to ensure accuracy:

Data Collection

  • Regular price surveys conducted in major cities
  • Official government statistics and economic indicators
  • User-contributed data from expatriates and local residents
  • Real estate market reports and rental price indices
  • Consumer price indices and inflation data

Calculation Methods

  • Prices are normalized to USD for consistent comparison
  • Exchange rates are updated monthly
  • Regional price variations are weighted by population
  • Seasonal fluctuations are accounted for in the averages
  • Quality of life factors are considered in the overall assessment

Quality Assurance

  • Data is verified by local experts
  • Regular cross-checking with multiple sources
  • User feedback is incorporated into updates
  • Statistical outliers are identified and reviewed
  • Methodology is reviewed quarterly

Note: While we strive for accuracy, cost of living data can vary significantly within countries and cities. These comparisons should be used as a general guide, and we recommend conducting additional research for specific locations.

Lifestyle Impact

Understanding the cost of living differences between South Korea and Australia goes beyond just numbers. Here's how these differences might affect your daily life:

Daily Living

  • Grocery shopping habits and meal planning
  • Public transportation usage vs. car ownership
  • Frequency of dining out and entertainment
  • Healthcare access and insurance coverage
  • Housing choices and neighborhood selection

Long-term Planning

  • Savings and investment strategies
  • Retirement planning considerations
  • Education costs for children
  • Property ownership opportunities
  • Business and career development

Quality of Life Considerations

While cost of living is important, it's just one aspect of quality of life. Consider also:

  • Healthcare system quality and accessibility
  • Education system standards
  • Public safety and security
  • Environmental quality
  • Cultural and recreational opportunities
  • Work-life balance norms

Making the Most of Your Budget

Tips for adapting to cost of living differences:

  • Research local shopping habits and markets
  • Learn about public transportation options
  • Understand local tax systems and benefits
  • Explore community resources and discounts
  • Network with locals for insider tips

Local Insights for South Korea vs Australia

While both countries have similar overall costs, there are nuanced differences in how money is spent on daily necessities.

Cultural Cost Differences

South Korea

  • Basic groceries tend to be more expensive, suggesting different shopping patterns.
  • Higher fuel costs indicate different transportation preferences.

Australia

Seasonal Cost Variations

Both countries experience moderate seasonal variations in living costs, with prices typically higher during peak tourist seasons and major holidays.

Explore more

Cost of living in South Korea Cost of living in Australia

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