Cost of Living in Cheongju - Updated Prices & Insights

35.16
Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $835 (excluding rent), and $1,266 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,998 (excluding rent), and $2,539 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.27 β‚©9,869
$5.97 β‚©8,105
$8.96 β‚©12.2K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.14 β‚©50.4K
$29.71 β‚©40.3K
$74.3 β‚©100.8K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.7 β‚©6,377
$3.57 β‚©4,843
$6.63 β‚©9,001
Cappuccino
$4.05 β‚©5,492
$2.17 β‚©2,940
$4.71 β‚©6,387
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81 β‚©2,451
$0.94 β‚©1,279
$2.52 β‚©3,423
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38 β‚©1,870
$0.74 β‚©1,004
$2.23 β‚©3,025
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.59 β‚©4,868
$1.8 β‚©2,440
$4.31 β‚©5,849
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.91 β‚©8,016
$5.16 β‚©7,007
$6.64 β‚©9,011
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.12 β‚©2,874
$1.89 β‚©2,567
$2.64 β‚©3,585
White Bread (500g)
$3.59 β‚©4,870
$1.87 β‚©2,538
$5.23 β‚©7,091
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.88 β‚©2,552
$1.88 β‚©2,552
$3.75 β‚©5,090
Eggs
$2.17 β‚©2,939
$2.17 β‚©2,939
$3.73 β‚©5,064
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.43 β‚©14.1K
$7.32 β‚©9,933
$29.27 β‚©39.7K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.32 β‚©11.3K
$4.46 β‚©6,051
$11.89 β‚©16.1K
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.97 β‚©20.3K
$11.99 β‚©16.3K
$37.45 β‚©50.8K
Apples (1kg)
$2.92 β‚©3,958
$2.18 β‚©2,962
$12.39 β‚©16.8K
Banana (1kg)
$2.91 β‚©3,953
$2.91 β‚©3,953
$3.64 β‚©4,934
Oranges (1kg)
$7.42 β‚©10.1K
$5.56 β‚©7,547
$8.9 β‚©12.1K
Tomato (1kg)
$5.32 β‚©7,218
$2.23 β‚©3,019
$7.43 β‚©10.1K
Potato (1kg)
$5.01 β‚©6,801
$2.15 β‚©2,911
$7.17 β‚©9,725
Onion (1kg)
$3.06 β‚©4,146
$0.75 β‚©1,016
$5.27 β‚©7,151
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.11 β‚©2,859
$1.13 β‚©1,526
$3.75 β‚©5,093
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.43 β‚©580
$0.28 β‚©382
$1.79 β‚©2,423
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.38 β‚©4,580
$3.38 β‚©4,580
$3.74 β‚©5,078
Wine (Bottle)
$14.7 β‚©19.9K
$6.62 β‚©8,975
$36.77 β‚©49.9K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75 β‚©2,376
$1.12 β‚©1,519
$3.74 β‚©5,069
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24 β‚©3,045
$2.24 β‚©3,045
$5.24 β‚©7,114
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.2 β‚©1,626
$1.12 β‚©1,516
$1.29 β‚©1,750
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$72.8 β‚©98.7K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.58 β‚©3,506
$2.58 β‚©3,506
$5.52 β‚©7,489
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.81 β‚©1,096
$0.67 β‚©909
$1.62 β‚©2,193
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$16.82 β‚©22.8K
$14.95 β‚©20.3K
$18.69 β‚©25.4K
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.18 β‚©1,598
$1.13 β‚©1,531
$1.31 β‚©1,772
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.3K β‚©37M
$27.3K β‚©37M
$27.3K β‚©37M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25K β‚©33.9M
$25K β‚©33.9M
$25K β‚©33.9M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$191 β‚©259.7K
$111 β‚©150.8K
$472 β‚©641K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.29 β‚©33K
$24.29 β‚©33K
$57.4 β‚©77.9K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.68 β‚©19.9K
$14.68 β‚©19.9K
$33.03 β‚©44.8K
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$62.4 β‚©84.7K
$50.5 β‚©68.6K
$74.3 β‚©100.8K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.03 β‚©46.2K
$14.7 β‚©20K
$53.4 β‚©72.4K
Cinema Ticket
$7.23 β‚©9,814
$7.23 β‚©9,814
$14.46 β‚©19.6K
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$482 β‚©654.6K
$217 β‚©294.6K
$941 β‚©1.3M
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$13.9K β‚©18.9M
$13.4K β‚©18.2M
$14.5K β‚©19.6M
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.76 β‚©49.9K
$36.76 β‚©49.9K
$110 β‚©149.6K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.38 β‚©65.6K
$22.43 β‚©30.4K
$74.8 β‚©101.4K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$89.5 β‚©121.4K
$59.6 β‚©80.9K
$149 β‚©202.3K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110 β‚©148.9K
$58.5 β‚©79.4K
$146 β‚©198.6K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$294 β‚©399.3K
$217 β‚©294.5K
$362 β‚©490.9K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$237 β‚©321.5K
$183 β‚©248.6K
$271 β‚©367.9K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$412 β‚©558.5K
$369 β‚©500.3K
$455 β‚©616.7K
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$303 β‚©410.9K
$297 β‚©403.1K
$309 β‚©418.7K
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$8,998 β‚©12.2M
$3,649 β‚©5M
$9,362 β‚©12.7M
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,961 β‚©8.1M
$2,635 β‚©3.6M
$7,318 β‚©9.9M
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,074 β‚©4.2M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.22
3.25
6.04
Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
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Cost of Living in Cheongju - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Cheongju compare in overall affordability for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and who tends to find value there?
Cheongju offers a balanced city-life experience without the stampede of bigger Korean metropolises. In general, it tends to be more affordable than Seoul or Busan, with calmer streets, local markets, and practical services. You'll find a range of housing options – from modest apartments to newer rentals – with shorter commutes when you stay near the river or central corridors. Dining and entertainment can be wallet-friendly, especially if you lean toward casual eateries, markets, and coffee shops. The pace supports steady budgeting, seasonal travel around festivals, and reliable everyday routines for longer stays. Cost of Living in Cheongju, South Korea provides a useful snapshot for planning your move. Tip: Start with a month in one neighborhood you like to test the rhythm.
What does daily life look like in Cheongju for housing search, food, transport, and errands?
Cheongju, South Korea living cost shows itself in a mix of affordable markets, casual eateries, and reliable everyday services. For housing, start with a few weeks of short-term rentals or share options near a transit node, then compare noise, light, and storage before you sign a longer lease. Food options range from traditional markets and steamy street foods to modern cafΓ©s with strong Wi‑Fi for remote work. Bus routes and a modest rail network keep errands simple, and librarians or community centers can be good hubs for coworking or language exchanges. Tip: map a weekly route to minimize backtracking and save time.
How can you optimize quality of life, budgeting, and neighborhood fit across seasons?
Quality of life in Cheongju rewards a paced schedule and access to green spaces and cultural spots. Build a budgeting framework like a simple 50/30/20 approach for housing, food, and experiences, and adjust for seasons – heating costs in winter and cooling needs in humid summers. To find the right neighborhood, pick a base near parks, near universities or coworking hubs if you work remotely, and walk the area at different times to sense noise and safety. Look for long-term leases with flexible terms, and use local markets and second-hand markets to trim costs. Tip: trial neighborhoods during a weekend before committing to a longer stay.
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