For one person, living costs in Pohang are estimated at $1,362 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $27 a day.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Pohang actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
Living costs for one person come to about $1,362 monthly including rent, or $813 excluding housing.
$1,362 /mo
Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $1,682 with rent, or $1,356 without housing.
$1,682 /mo
Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $2,002 including rent, or $1,899 for daily expenses alone.
$2,002 /mo
📊
Pohang sits 1–29% above the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 28% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.5K₩39.2M
$29.5K₩39.2M
$29.5K₩39.2M
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.4K₩37.8M
$27.3K₩36.3M
$35.4K₩47.0M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$102₩136.1K
$102₩136.1K
$301₩400.2K
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$36.26₩48.2K
$18.58₩24.7K
$58.0₩77.0K
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.84₩35.7K
$22.21₩29.5K
$33.31₩44.3K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.38₩40.4K
$7.59₩10.1K
$53.2₩70.7K
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.43₩9,884
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.38₩15.1K
$11.38₩15.1K
$15.18₩20.2K
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$637₩847.5K
$300₩398.8K
$975₩1.3M
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$21.8K₩29.0M
$14.9K₩19.9M
$35.0K₩46.5M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$105₩139.2K
$59.8₩79.6K
$112₩149.2K
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$64.3₩85.5K
$51.5₩68.4K
$73.5₩97.7K
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.5₩122.9K
$59.2₩78.7K
$111₩147.5K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111₩147.9K
$59.3₩78.9K
$148₩197.2K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$447₩594.3K
$207₩274.6K
$676₩898.8K
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,990₩4.0M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,240₩3.0M
-
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: October 11, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
Pohang$1,362
Pohang$2,002
🏠Accommodation & Living
$447 32.8%
🛒Groceries & Markets
$386 28.3%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
$168 12.3%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
$165 12.2%
🍽Eating Out
$137 10.1%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
$53 3.9%
🚌Getting Around
$6.2 * 0.5%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
🏠Accommodation & Living
- * 0%
🛒Groceries & Markets
-921 46%
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
-373 18.6%
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
-202 10.1%
🍽Eating Out
-381 19%
🎉Sport & Entertainment
-114 5.7%
🚌Getting Around
-12 * 0.6%
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
Cost Breakdown
💰Average take-home pay sits at $2,240, while typical expenses reach $1,362. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.
🛒Expect to spend about $386 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $23.00 for two – well below the Asian average of $36.00.
Cost Highlights
⭐White bread is more expensive than 98% of cities in Asia
⭐Milk is more expensive than 95% of cities in Asia
⭐Chicken fillets is more expensive than 93% of cities in Asia
Hands-on experience shaping clay into functional and decorative pieces
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 $1,362 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 $1,362 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 $2,240 take-home, most residents in Pohang can cover the $1,362 monthly cost of living. Those earning $2,043 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 $386, 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 $30.38 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 $1,362. 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 $1,362 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 $1,362, so putting money aside takes more than $2,043 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.