Cost of Living in Gyeongju - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $945 (excluding rent), and $1,473 including rent.
Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,224 (excluding rent), and $3,149 including rent.
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.27 ₩9,867
$5.97 ₩8,103
$8.96 ₩12.2K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.98 ₩50.2K
$29.58 ₩40.1K
$73.9 ₩100.3K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.14 ₩8,326
$5.58 ₩7,570
$6.77 ₩9,191
Cappuccino
$4.16 ₩5,640
$2.23 ₩3,019
$4.83 ₩6,559
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85 ₩2,510
$0.97 ₩1,310
$2.58 ₩3,506
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38 ₩1,875
$0.74 ₩1,007
$2.24 ₩3,034
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.71 ₩5,037
$1.86 ₩2,526
$4.46 ₩6,053
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.77 ₩7,822
$5.04 ₩6,838
$6.48 ₩8,794
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$2.32 ₩3,152
$1.86 ₩2,522
$2.6 ₩3,522
White Bread (500g)
$3.59 ₩4,866
$1.87 ₩2,536
$5.22 ₩7,085
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.12 ₩4,240
$1.89 ₩2,558
$3.76 ₩5,101
Eggs
$2.93 ₩3,974
$2.19 ₩2,974
$3.78 ₩5,123
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.28 ₩14K
$7.22 ₩9,794
$14.43 ₩19.6K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.2 ₩11.1K
$4.39 ₩5,960
$11.71 ₩15.9K
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$27.24 ₩37K
$11.63 ₩15.8K
$36.33 ₩49.3K
Apples (1kg)
$8.48 ₩11.5K
$2.21 ₩2,995
$12.53 ₩17K
Banana (1kg)
$3.22 ₩4,373
$2.97 ₩4,030
$3.71 ₩5,031
Oranges (1kg)
$7.57 ₩10.3K
$5.64 ₩7,658
$9.04 ₩12.3K
Tomato (1kg)
$5.21 ₩7,066
$2.18 ₩2,955
$7.28 ₩9,873
Potato (1kg)
$5.19 ₩7,045
$2.22 ₩3,015
$7.42 ₩10.1K
Onion (1kg)
$3.03 ₩4,114
$0.74 ₩1,008
$5.23 ₩7,097
Lettuce (1 head)
$2 ₩2,720
$1.07 ₩1,452
$3.57 ₩4,846
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.16 ₩1,567
$0.28 ₩385
$1.8 ₩2,444
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.29 ₩4,464
$3.29 ₩4,464
$3.65 ₩4,950
Wine (Bottle)
$14.96 ₩20.3K
$6.73 ₩9,134
$37.42 ₩50.8K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.73 ₩2,352
$1.11 ₩1,504
$3.7 ₩5,018
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.42 ₩4,641
$2.21 ₩3,003
$5.17 ₩7,016
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.06 ₩1,433
$0.93 ₩1,262
$1.07 ₩1,446
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.02 ₩4,098
$2.87 ₩3,889
$5.81 ₩7,889
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.83 ₩1,127
$0.69 ₩935
$1.66 ₩2,254
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$16.78 ₩22.8K
$14.91 ₩20.2K
$18.65 ₩25.3K
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.17 ₩1,594
$1.13 ₩1,527
$1.19 ₩1,621
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.7K ₩37.5M
$27.7K ₩37.5M
$27.7K ₩37.5M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.1K ₩34.1M
$25.1K ₩34.1M
$25.1K ₩34.1M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$193 ₩262K
$159 ₩215.5K
$299 ₩405.7K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$47.91 ₩65K
$24.71 ₩33.5K
$58.4 ₩79.2K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.2 ₩36.9K
$21.76 ₩29.5K
$32.64 ₩44.3K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$45.8 ₩62.1K
$21.14 ₩28.7K
$54.3 ₩73.6K
Cinema Ticket
$10.86 ₩14.7K
$10.14 ₩13.8K
$14.48 ₩19.6K
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$493 ₩668.5K
$222 ₩300.8K
$961 ₩1.3M
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14K ₩19M
$13.5K ₩18.3M
$14.6K ₩19.8M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104 ₩141.3K
$59.5 ₩80.8K
$112 ₩151.4K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.22 ₩64.1K
$21.89 ₩29.7K
$73 ₩99K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.5 ₩118.8K
$58.4 ₩79.2K
$109 ₩148.4K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$117 ₩159.1K
$58.6 ₩79.5K
$147 ₩198.8K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$444 ₩602.5K
$353 ₩479.5K
$491 ₩666.3K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$418 ₩567.6K
$286 ₩388.1K
$490 ₩665.3K
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,037 ₩1.4M
$715 ₩970.3K
$1,180 ₩1.6M
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$735 ₩997.2K
$458 ₩621K
$1,056 ₩1.4M
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$8,079 ₩11M
$3,276 ₩4.4M
$8,405 ₩11.4M
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$5,462 ₩7.4M
$2,415 ₩3.3M
$6,706 ₩9.1M
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,472 ₩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 Gyeongju - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Gyeongju compare in terms of overall affordability, and who tends to find it good value for longer stays?
Gyeongju offers a calm, historic setting with a gentler price tag than Korea's big metropolises. You will find comfortable dining, groceries, and basic services without the premium of Seoul or Busan. The city offers a mix of modern apartments, guesthouses, and traditional hanok stays, often at reasonable monthly rates for longer visits. Cost of Living in Gyeongju, South Korea is approachable for many travelers, expats, and digital nomads who seek reliability without the crowds. Transport is generally efficient and neighborhoods vary in pace, letting you balance quiet mornings with easy access to heritage sites. Tip: Start with a short-term rental to calibrate costs and seasonal swings.
What does daily life look like in Gyeongju, in terms of housing search, food options, transport, coworking spaces, and errands?
In Gyeongju, South Korea living cost, expect markets, casual eateries, and a spectrum of housing options from guesthouses to small apartments. In central areas you can walk to markets and temples; outside you will find quieter streets and steadier rents. Food runs from street snacks at Jungang Market to reliable cafes and casual restaurants with familiar fare. Transport is efficient and affordable, with a solid bus network and a train link toward larger cities; cycling is practical in many neighborhoods. Co-working spaces exist alongside cafes with reliable Wi-Fi, perfect for digital work. Tip: check weekday mornings for rental listings to compare prices.
How can you maximize quality of life and budget in Gyeongju, and what should you consider when choosing a neighborhood?
Gyeongju offers a compact, walkable mix of ancient sites, parks, and cafes that slow travel into a comfy routine. A practical budgeting framework is to divide your month into housing, food, transport, and activities, then track changes with the seasons. Save by shopping at markets, cooking at home, and choosing guesthouses or small apartments with reliable internet. Seasonal events bring crowds and price shifts around temples and festivals, so aim for shoulder seasons for quieter streets and smoother planning. Neighborhood fit often means proximity to transit lines, central sights, and library or cafe hubs you will actually use. Tip: map daily routes and test two neighborhoods before signing a lease.
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