📌A single person spends around $1,649 per month with rent, or $776 for everyday expenses alone.
📌A couple spends around $2,441 per month with rent, or $1,319 for everyday expenses alone.
📌A family of three spends around $3,232 per month with rent, or $1,862 without housing.
📊Overall, Seongnam is 14–23% above the global median across household types. Within Asia, costs are 58% above average – among the most expensive in the region.
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.8K₩42.1M
$26.5K₩40.2M
$27.8K₩42.1M
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.7K₩37.4M
$21.7K₩32.9M
$28.6K₩43.3M
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$162₩244.8K
$92.6₩140.3K
$240₩363.1K
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.98₩53.0K
$18.44₩27.9K
$59.0₩89.4K
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.83₩33.1K
$14.44₩21.9K
$28.88₩43.8K
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.85₩72.5K
$22.08₩33.5K
$56.7₩85.9K
Cinema Ticket
$11.19₩17.0K
$9.70₩14.7K
$13.43₩20.4K
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$411₩622.7K
$204₩309.8K
$597₩905.1K
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$23.5K₩35.5M
$17.6K₩26.7M
$30.8K₩46.7M
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.3₩88.4K
$36.33₩55.0K
$94.5₩143.1K
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.71₩70.8K
$21.65₩32.8K
$72.2₩109.4K
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$80.5₩122.0K
$59.4₩90.0K
$111₩168.7K
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119₩179.6K
$67.4₩102.1K
$187₩283.5K
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$448₩679.3K
$362₩548.0K
$509₩771.6K
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$665₩1.0M
$443₩672.0K
$887₩1.3M
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,066₩1.6M
$735₩1.1M
$1,213₩1.8M
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,010₩1.5M
$469₩710.5K
$1,082₩1.6M
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$13.8K₩20.9M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$5,876₩8.9M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,338₩6.6M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.14
3.25
5
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $448, dropping to $665 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 10% of the average salary ($4,338) – well above the 30% international benchmark.
💰The average net salary is $4,338 – comfortably above monthly costs of $1,649. Most workers can save and live well. A comfortable lifestyle typically starts at $2,474.
🛒Groceries cost around $435 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $42.00 – above the Asian average of $35.00.
Cost Highlights
⭐Average monthly net salary is higher than 98% of cities in Asia
⭐Overall monthly cost (including rent) is more expensive than 94% of cities in Asia
⭐1-bedroom apartment, outside city center is more expensive than 93% of cities in Asia
Seongnam 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.
Cost of Living in Seongnam - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Seongnam a good value for a longer stay compared with nearby cities?
Seongnam offers accessibility and scale without the premium of central Seoul. You’ll find well-run neighborhoods, efficient transit, and a mix of modern apartments and serviced options that suit longer stays. Shopping, dining, and entertainment spread across diverse districts, making daily life convenient, while green spaces and quieter streets offer a calmer pace after work. The city benefits from proximity to tech hubs and business centers without the sky-high rents you might expect in the capital. Cost of Living in Seongnam, South Korea reflects this balance and tends to favor steady budgeting for a comfortable stay. Tip: Map out a commute and choose a neighborhood that aligns with work, leisure, and lifestyle.
What does daily life look like in Seongnam in terms of housing search, food options, transport, and coworking spaces?
Seongnam’s housing hunt centers on neighborhood vibe and lease length. Bundang offers reliable services, Jeongja has a stylish edge, and Pangyo is convenient for tech workers. The Seongnam, South Korea living cost varies by district, so compare monthly rents with maintenance and utilities rather than sticker prices. Look for longer-term leases to lock in stable rates and avoid rapid churn. Daily life features abundant markets, casual eateries, and convenience stores within easy reach of transit. For getting around, the Bundang and Shinbundang lines cover major zones, while buses fill gaps; you can often walk or bike within neighborhoods. Co-working spaces and cafes near business hubs support remote work. Tip: set a weekly errand route to save time.
How can you plan for quality of life, budgeting, and neighborhood fit in Seongnam across the seasons?
Quality of life in Seongnam offers accessibility to nature and modern amenities. Build a budgeting framework that blocks housing, utilities, groceries, transport, and occasional leisure; then adapt as seasons shift. Summer humidity and air conditioning use, winter heating, and rainy periods affect comfort and routines. Neighborhood fit matters: Bundang for steady routines, Jeongja for cafés and a walkable vibe, Pangyo for proximity to coworking and nightlife. To save, consider longer leases, public transit passes, batch cooking, and shopping at local markets rather than convenience stores. Seasonality also changes entertainment options – indoors in hot or rainy days becomes a practical pattern. Tip: tailor your routine to your preferred neighborhood vibe.
Is rent in Seongnam too high relative to local incomes?
Housing in Seongnam takes a heavy bite – about 10% of a typical income, which is above the 30% international benchmark. That squeezes the budget for everything else and is one of the main pain points for residents here.
What are typical monthly expenses for a single person in Seongnam?
All in, Seongnam runs about $1,649 monthly with rent, or $776 without it. These numbers assume a moderate lifestyle – comfortable but not lavish. Choosing a cheaper neighborhood and cooking at home are the easiest ways to spend less.
What income do you need to cover all expenses in Seongnam?
You'll want at least $2,474 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Seongnam. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.
How much does a one-bedroom apartment cost to rent in Seongnam?
In Seongnam's center, a one-bedroom apartment runs about $448 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $665. Location makes a big difference here – and furnished places or short-term rentals will cost more on top of these figures.
What should I budget for groceries in Seongnam?
Grocery spending in Seongnam lands around $435 per month for one person – not cheap, not expensive. Local produce and staples are fairly priced, though imported goods and specialty items cost more. Overall, food is a manageable part of the budget.
Is food shopping expensive in Seongnam?
Groceries in Seongnam run about $435 monthly for one person – a moderate figure that matches the city's overall cost level. Local markets and supermarkets cover most needs, and food costs are manageable without strict budgeting.
Does $3,000 cover living expenses in Seongnam?
$3,000 is below the $1,649 average in Seongnam, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
Why do digital nomads choose Seongnam?
Seongnam has become a go-to for digital nomads thanks to fast internet, low crime rates. At around $1,649 monthly all-in, the value is strong for the infrastructure and lifestyle you get. Coworking spaces, solid internet, and a growing international crowd make remote work here both productive and social.
Is Seongnam affordable for the average person?
Seongnam is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $1,649, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.