Cost of Living in Pohang - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,307 monthly including rent, or $711 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,611 with rent, or $1,201 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $1,915 including rent, or $1,691 for daily expenses alone.

Pohang sits 5–35% below the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 20% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.81 ₩7,977
$5.81 ₩7,977
$9.45 ₩13.0K
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.80 ₩29.9K
$21.80 ₩29.9K
$54.7 ₩75.1K
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.59 ₩9,047
$5.98 ₩8,217
$7.18 ₩9,864
Cappuccino
$2.87 ₩3,941
$2.52 ₩3,455
$4.67 ₩6,411
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.44 ₩1,971
$1.44 ₩1,971
$2.87 ₩3,942
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47 ₩643
$0.42 ₩577
$2.09 ₩2,874
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.54 ₩4,864
$1.78 ₩2,439
$5.67 ₩7,782
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.57 ₩4,898
$2.85 ₩3,918
$6.42 ₩8,816
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.88 ₩2,584
$1.66 ₩2,274
$2.63 ₩3,615
White Bread (500g)
$3.17 ₩4,348
$1.49 ₩2,048
$5.22 ₩7,166
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.48 ₩3,412
$1.42 ₩1,946
$3.54 ₩4,864
Eggs
$2.64 ₩3,626
$2.22 ₩3,042
$6.21 ₩8,529
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.95 ₩15.0K
$9.66 ₩13.3K
$22.28 ₩30.6K
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.49 ₩8,906
$5.77 ₩7,916
$11.54 ₩15.8K
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$24.37 ₩33.5K
$18.27 ₩25.1K
$32.89 ₩45.2K
Apples (1kg)
$2.14 ₩2,934
$2.14 ₩2,934
$12.12 ₩16.6K
Banana (1kg)
$3.49 ₩4,788
$2.86 ₩3,928
$4.29 ₩5,891
Oranges (1kg)
$7.70 ₩10.6K
$5.32 ₩7,301
$10.64 ₩14.6K
Tomato (1kg)
$2.98 ₩4,085
$2.23 ₩3,064
$7.44 ₩10.2K
Potato (1kg)
$4.90 ₩6,730
$2.23 ₩3,058
$7.42 ₩10.2K
Onion (1kg)
$3.32 ₩4,565
$0.75 ₩1,025
$5.23 ₩7,177
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.24 ₩3,070
$1.12 ₩1,542
$3.73 ₩5,117
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.30 ₩1,778
$0.29 ₩403
$1.85 ₩2,542
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.22 ₩4,417
$3.22 ₩4,417
$3.22 ₩4,417
Wine (Bottle)
$6.42 ₩8,819
$6.42 ₩8,819
$36.09 ₩49.6K
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.45 ₩1,990
$1.45 ₩1,990
$3.62 ₩4,974
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.30 ₩4,525
$2.14 ₩2,932
$4.98 ₩6,841
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.38 ₩4,642
$2.86 ₩3,922
$5.77 ₩7,929
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.60 ₩825
$0.57 ₩782
$1.81 ₩2,489
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$16.22 ₩22.3K
$14.41 ₩19.8K
$18.02 ₩24.7K
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.22 ₩1,669
$1.08 ₩1,480
$1.44 ₩1,978
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.8K ₩39.6M
$28.8K ₩39.6M
$28.8K ₩39.6M
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.9K ₩38.3M
$26.9K ₩36.9M
$34.7K ₩47.7M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$97.7 ₩134.2K
$97.7 ₩134.2K
$287 ₩394.6K
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.52 ₩48.8K
$18.19 ₩25.0K
$56.8 ₩77.9K
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.97 ₩35.7K
$21.49 ₩29.5K
$32.24 ₩44.3K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$28.64 ₩39.3K
$7.16 ₩9,826
$50.1 ₩68.8K
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.20 ₩9,883
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.87 ₩14.9K
$10.87 ₩14.9K
$14.50 ₩19.9K
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$612 ₩840.0K
$288 ₩395.3K
$936 ₩1.3M
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$21.4K ₩29.4M
$14.7K ₩20.2M
$34.5K ₩47.3M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$101 ₩138.7K
$57.7 ₩79.3K
$108 ₩148.6K
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$63.7 ₩87.5K
$51.0 ₩70.0K
$72.8 ₩100.0K
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$92.1 ₩126.5K
$59.0 ₩81.0K
$111 ₩151.8K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111 ₩152.1K
$59.1 ₩81.1K
$148 ₩202.8K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$454 ₩622.8K
$205 ₩281.3K
$671 ₩920.6K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,891 ₩4.0M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,242 ₩3.1M
-
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: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Average take-home pay sits at $2,242, while typical expenses reach $1,307. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.

Expect to spend about $359 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $22.00 for two – well below the Asian average of $36.00.

Cost Highlights

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

Pohang is cheaper than 57% globally but more expensive than 88% within 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.
Why is Pohang considered affordable?
Compared to most cities worldwide, Pohang is just cheap – all-in costs average $1,307 monthly. Both housing and daily necessities sit below the international median, which explains its popularity with budget travelers, nomads, and locals on modest incomes.
Is Pohang expensive to live in?
Your money goes further in Pohang than in most cities its size. Expect to spend roughly $1,307 per month with housing included – groceries, transport, and eating out are all priced well below what you'd pay in comparable urban centers.
Can you save money on an average salary in Pohang?
At $2,242 take-home, most residents in Pohang can cover the $1,307 monthly cost of living. Those earning $1,961 or more have room to save; below-average earners will find things noticeably tighter.
How cheap is food in Pohang?
Pohang is great for eating affordably at home. Monthly grocery bills run about $359, and local produce is plentiful and well-priced, making home cooking both practical and cost-effective.
How expensive is a gym membership in Pohang?
Fitness in Pohang is cheap at around $28.64 monthly for a standard gym. It's one of the lighter items in the budget, making it easy to stay active without worrying about the cost.
Can you live on $800 a month in Pohang?
$800 stretches far in Pohang – all-in monthly costs average only $1,307. The surplus means you can build savings, travel a bit, and live above the local average without much effort.
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 $1,307 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 $1,307, so putting money aside takes more than $1,961 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.

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