Can you afford Seoul?
World-leading transit and connectivity with punishing work culture and a jeonse-distorted housing market.
At a glance
Four scenarios, run for you
| Scenario | Take-home/mo | Costs/mo | Left over | Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single, $60k, 1-bed centre | $3,633 | $2,363 | $1,270 | 92 | comfortable |
| Single, $100k, 1-bed centre | $5,446 | $2,363 | $3,083 | 100 | comfortable |
| Couple, $140k, 1-bed centre | $7,112 | $3,507 | $3,606 | 100 | comfortable |
| Family of four, $180k, 3-bed outer | $8,739 | $6,917 | $1,822 | 71 | workable |
Interactive
Run your own numbers
Next
Related
FAQ
Frequently asked
What income do you need to live comfortably in Seoul?
On our scoring, "comfortable" means keeping at least 25% of take-home pay after all living costs. For a single adult in a central one-bedroom that needs roughly $51,000 gross a year in Seoul.
Can a family of four live in Seoul on $180,000?
1,822 USD a month left over — 21% of take-home pay. Housing takes 16% of it.
Is $100,000 a good salary in Seoul?
3,083 USD a month left over — 57% of take-home pay. Housing takes 17% of it. That scores 100/100 on our affordability scale — "comfortable".