🙂A single person spends $1,444 per month in Ulsan vs $1,546 in Thessaloniki, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,188 per month in Ulsan vs $2,354 in Thessaloniki, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,932 per month in Ulsan vs $3,162 in Thessaloniki, rent included.
🙂Ulsan is about 7% cheaper than Thessaloniki, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Ulsan and Thessaloniki sit above the global median – Ulsan by 8%, Thessaloniki by 15%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ulsan
Thessaloniki
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.46₩9,791
$17.27€14.85
-62.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.90₩45.3K
$57.7€49.63
-48.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.83₩7,313
$10.30€8.86
-53.11%
Cappuccino
$3.15₩4,766
$4.27€3.67
-26.23%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12₩1,691
$2.36€2.03
-52.54%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39₩591
$0.56€0.48
-30.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.60₩3,935
$5.88€5.06
-55.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.29₩4,984
$5.74€4.94
-42.68%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ulsan
Thessaloniki
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.74₩2,640
$1.52€1.31
14.47%
White Bread(500g)
$2.19₩3,315
$1.46€1.25
50.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.79₩2,717
$2.45€2.11
-26.94%
Eggs
$2.88₩4,362
$4.41€3.79
-34.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.55₩16.0K
$13.67€11.76
-22.82%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.30₩12.6K
$11.10€9.55
-25.23%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$27.12₩41.1K
$14.79€12.72
83.37%
Apples(1kg)
$7.16₩10.8K
$2.04€1.75
250.98%
Banana(1kg)
$3.28₩4,975
$1.87€1.61
75.40%
Oranges(1kg)
$7.29₩11.0K
$1.68€1.45
333.93%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.43₩6,712
$2.38€2.04
86.13%
Potato(1kg)
$3.74₩5,662
$1.26€1.08
196.83%
Onion(1kg)
$2.47₩3,738
$1.33€1.15
85.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.08₩3,151
$1.09€0.94
90.83%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.90₩1,365
$0.88€0.75
2.27%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.32₩5,032
$5.36€4.61
-38.06%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.65₩25.2K
$11.70€10.06
42.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.69₩2,560
$2.00€1.72
-15.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.47₩5,260
$2.80€2.41
23.93%
🚌 Getting Around
Ulsan
Thessaloniki
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.94₩1,418
$1.05€0.91
-10.48%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$30.99€26.66
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.40₩3,630
$4.62€3.97
-48.05%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.79₩1,191
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$16.48₩25.0K
$31.91€27.45
-48.35%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.18₩1,785
$2.07€1.78
-43.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.6K₩41.9M
$31.3K€26.9K
-11.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.2K₩38.2M
$31.7K€27.2K
-20.39%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ulsan
Thessaloniki
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$187₩283.3K
$213€183
-12.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$50.3₩76.2K
$26.13€22.48
92.54%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.92₩42.3K
$30.44€26.18
-8.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ulsan
Thessaloniki
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$59.4₩90.0K
$44.22€38.03
34.31%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.69€16.08
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.27₩15.6K
$9.98€8.59
2.91%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ulsan
Thessaloniki
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$252₩382.6K
$421€363
-40.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.9K₩21.0M
$8,408€7,233
65.10%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ulsan
Thessaloniki
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102₩154.3K
$82.5€71.0
23.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.53₩72.0K
$36.95€31.78
28.63%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.0₩131.7K
$90.9€78.2
-4.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115₩174.9K
$115€98.9
0.37%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ulsan
Thessaloniki
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$275₩416.9K
$542€466
-49.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$371₩562.0K
$452€389
-17.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,055₩1.6M
$940€808
12.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$764₩1.2M
$742€638
2.99%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,918₩5.9M
$3,833€3,297
2.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,353₩3.6M
$2,909€2,502
-19.11%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ulsan
Thessaloniki
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,022₩3.1M
$1,193€1,026
69.43%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4
4.68
-14.53%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ulsan: June 2, 2026
Last update for Thessaloniki: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $275 in Ulsan versus $542 in Thessaloniki. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 69% higher in Ulsan, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $30.00 in Ulsan versus $58.0 in Thessaloniki. Groceries tell a different story – $403 in Ulsan vs $298 in Thessaloniki – so Thessaloniki wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Ulsan vs Thessaloniki: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Ulsan and Thessaloniki compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,444 in Ulsan, $1,546 in Thessaloniki – roughly 7% apart. Thessaloniki costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Ulsan compared to Thessaloniki?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,166 per month in Ulsan and $2,319 in Thessaloniki. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Ulsan and Thessaloniki?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ulsan, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Ulsan or Thessaloniki?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,444 in Ulsan and $1,546 in Thessaloniki. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Ulsan and Thessaloniki?
Kindergarten costs $252 per month in Ulsan and $421 in Thessaloniki. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Ulsan, where all-in costs run around $1,444, than in Thessaloniki at $1,546. In Ulsan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Thessaloniki it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Ulsan and Thessaloniki?
It depends on your priorities. Thessaloniki has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,444 in Ulsan to $1,546 in Thessaloniki. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Ulsan or Thessaloniki safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Ulsan and Thessaloniki?
If budget matters most, go with Ulsan. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Thessaloniki makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.