Cost of Living in Pohang - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,333 monthly including rent, or $751 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,007 with rent, or $1,199 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,680 including rent, or $1,646 for daily expenses alone.

Pohang sits 0–5% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 28% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.23 ₩8,018
$4.49 ₩6,879
$8.98 ₩13.8K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.25 ₩28.0K
$14.60 ₩22.4K
$73.0 ₩111.9K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.14 ₩9,412
$5.59 ₩8,558
$7.15 ₩10.9K
Cappuccino
$2.98 ₩4,565
$2.23 ₩3,416
$4.84 ₩7,422
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.44 ₩2,208
$0.94 ₩1,442
$2.52 ₩3,860
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51 ₩787
$0.45 ₩693
$2.26 ₩3,464
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.75 ₩5,741
$1.88 ₩2,878
$6.00 ₩9,197
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.62 ₩5,546
$3.62 ₩5,546
$6.52 ₩9,988
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.79 ₩2,747
$1.79 ₩2,747
$2.50 ₩3,837
White Bread (500g)
$3.17 ₩4,854
$1.44 ₩2,209
$5.04 ₩7,724
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.53 ₩3,883
$1.45 ₩2,221
$3.62 ₩5,546
Eggs
$2.97 ₩4,547
$2.22 ₩3,403
$6.23 ₩9,543
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.60 ₩16.2K
$7.44 ₩11.4K
$29.76 ₩45.6K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.44 ₩9,860
$4.29 ₩6,578
$11.45 ₩17.5K
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$27.14 ₩41.6K
$11.58 ₩17.7K
$36.19 ₩55.4K
Apples (1kg)
$2.17 ₩3,331
$2.17 ₩3,331
$12.34 ₩18.9K
Banana (1kg)
$3.11 ₩4,771
$2.87 ₩4,398
$4.31 ₩6,596
Oranges (1kg)
$7.47 ₩11.4K
$5.57 ₩8,534
$8.92 ₩13.7K
Tomato (1kg)
$2.63 ₩4,030
$2.25 ₩3,450
$7.52 ₩11.5K
Potato (1kg)
$4.89 ₩7,485
$2.22 ₩3,395
$7.40 ₩11.3K
Onion (1kg)
$2.93 ₩4,494
$0.72 ₩1,101
$5.06 ₩7,751
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.02 ₩3,093
$1.08 ₩1,651
$3.60 ₩5,510
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.16 ₩1,785
$0.29 ₩439
$1.82 ₩2,783
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.33 ₩5,102
$3.33 ₩5,102
$3.69 ₩5,656
Wine (Bottle)
$8.40 ₩12.9K
$6.01 ₩9,215
$33.77 ₩51.7K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.49 ₩2,280
$1.11 ₩1,706
$3.71 ₩5,691
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.37 ₩5,163
$2.18 ₩3,341
$5.09 ₩7,805
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.10 ₩1,691
$0.97 ₩1,489
$1.11 ₩1,707
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.47 ₩3,782
$2.47 ₩3,782
$5.77 ₩8,846
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.86 ₩1,313
$0.71 ₩1,089
$1.71 ₩2,626
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$16.38 ₩25.1K
$14.55 ₩22.3K
$18.20 ₩27.9K
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.22 ₩1,864
$1.12 ₩1,723
$1.40 ₩2,146
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.0K ₩42.8M
$28.0K ₩42.8M
$28.0K ₩42.8M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.9K ₩38.2M
$24.9K ₩38.2M
$24.9K ₩38.2M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$106 ₩162.2K
$99.7 ₩152.7K
$293 ₩449.1K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$50.1 ₩76.8K
$24.12 ₩37.0K
$57.0 ₩87.3K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.14 ₩41.6K
$21.71 ₩33.3K
$32.57 ₩49.9K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$29.52 ₩45.2K
$7.38 ₩11.3K
$51.7 ₩79.2K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.18 ₩11.0K
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.98 ₩16.8K
$10.25 ₩15.7K
$14.64 ₩22.4K
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$491 ₩752.6K
$221 ₩338.6K
$958 ₩1.5M
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.4K ₩22.1M
$13.8K ₩21.2M
$15.0K ₩22.9M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$104 ₩159.3K
$59.4 ₩91.0K
$111 ₩170.6K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.82 ₩73.3K
$22.17 ₩34.0K
$73.9 ₩113.2K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$87.1 ₩133.5K
$58.1 ₩89.0K
$109 ₩166.9K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110 ₩168.5K
$58.7 ₩89.9K
$147 ₩224.7K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$446 ₩682.9K
$355 ₩543.5K
$493 ₩755.3K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$427 ₩654.6K
$200 ₩306.4K
$655 ₩1.0M
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,068 ₩1.6M
$736 ₩1.1M
$1,215 ₩1.9M
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$780 ₩1.2M
$486 ₩744.5K
$1,121 ₩1.7M
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,602 ₩4.0M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,229 ₩3.4M
-
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.

Last update: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $446 for a central one-bedroom, or $427 outside the center. At 20% of the average salary ($2,229), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $2,229, while typical expenses reach $1,333. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.

Expect to spend about $363 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $18.00 for two – well below the Asian average of $35.00.

Cost Highlights

White bread is more expensive than 98% of cities in Asia

Eggs is more expensive than 91% of cities in Asia

Pohang Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms

Fixed Broadband

Download
Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
ms
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Pohang - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pohang a good-value base for travelers, expats, and digital nomads?
Is Pohang a good-value base for travelers, expats, and digital nomads? In general, yes; it offers a manageable mix of access, scenery, and everyday costs that can feel friendlier than Korea’s megacities. You’ll likely find more affordable housing options, reliable public services, and a slower pace that supports focused work and weekend exploration. Local eateries supply fresh seafood and regional dishes without the sticker shock of bigger metros, while coworking spaces and cafes cater to remote work. Cost of Living in Pohang, South Korea provides a comfortable base for short stays or longer stretches of daily life. Tip: Prioritize longer leases to secure stable rates.
What does daily life look like in Pohang for housing search, food, transport, coworking, and errands?
Expect a practical day-to-day rhythm: housing search is often handled through local agents or online platforms, with longer leases offering steadier terms. Food options range from market stalls and casual eateries to mid-range restaurants and coastal seafood spots; groceries are accessible and price ranges vary by neighborhood. Public transport relies on buses and trains, with taxis as a reliable fallback; biking is feasible along waterfront paths. Co-working spaces and cafés support remote work, while errands – laundry, shipping, and banking – are straightforward in central districts. Pohang, South Korea living cost guides your budgeting, but flexible meal planning and weekly discounts help. Tip: Start with a small, reusable shopping list to curb impulse buys.
What makes Pohang a good fit for quality of life, budgeting, and neighborhood choice over time?
Quality of life in Pohang blends coastal access, steady local services, and a city-size rhythm that keeps essentials within reach. Use a simple budgeting framework: separate needs, discretionary spending, and savings, then adapt as seasons change and seafood or energy use shifts. For neighborhood fit, test waterfront-adjacent areas for walks and views or inland pockets for quieter evenings and potentially lower rents. Seasonality influences dress needs, dining patterns, and leisure options, shaping daily routines. Tip: sample a few neighborhoods across different times of day to assess noise, crowds, and transit reliability.
Is Pohang worth the cost of living?
At around $1,333 monthly all-in, Pohang offers decent value. It's not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.
Is Pohang expensive to live in?
Everyday life in Pohang is moderately priced at about $1,333 per month, rent included. Groceries and transport stay reasonable, though dining out and entertainment can feel a bit pricier than in budget destinations.
Can you save money on an average salary in Pohang?
At $2,229 take-home, most residents in Pohang can cover the $1,333 monthly cost of living. Those earning $2,000 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
What are typical rents in Pohang?
Where you live in Pohang makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $446; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $427. Overall, the market runs from $427 to $446 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
What is a typical grocery budget in Pohang?
Expect to spend around $363 per month on groceries in Pohang. Neither cheap nor expensive by global standards – everyday items are fairly priced, though imported or specialty products cost more.
How expensive is a gym membership in Pohang?
A regular gym membership in Pohang costs around $29.52 monthly. It's a reasonable expense that fits into most budgets, and you generally get decent facilities for the price.
Can a person live on $1,000 monthly in Pohang?
Living on $1,000 in Pohang means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,333. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
What is quality of life like in Pohang?
Pohang offers genuinely appealing day-to-day living. Residents value fast internet, low crime rates, and at around $1,333 per month, it's accessible to a broad range of incomes. Most people find the cost-to-quality balance sustainable long-term.
Can you save money living in Pohang?
Monthly expenses in Pohang run around $1,333, so putting money aside takes more than $2,000 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

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