Guide

Cost of Living in Korea by City

Seoul is the expensive default, but Korea has excellent universities in cheaper cities. Here is what a student month costs in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, and Gwangju, and how much you save by leaving the capital.

Written by

Sans BhatiaFounder, KoreaAdmit9 min read · Updated Jun 24, 2026

Updated Jun 24, 20269 min read

A view across a mid-sized Korean city — Strong universities sit in Busan, Daejeon, Daegu, Gwangju, and Pohang, where the same budget stretches noticeably further than in Seoul.

Where you study in Korea changes your budget as much as how you study. Seoul concentrates the famous universities, but it is also the most expensive place to live, and Korea's excellent transport means a school in Daejeon or Busan is not "far from everything." This guide compares a student's monthly living costs across the major cities. For the full tuition-plus-living picture, start with the cost of studying in Korea pillar.

TL;DR

Seoul is the most expensive city, mostly because of housing. A student month runs about KRW 1,000,000 to 1,600,000.
Regional cities cost noticeably less, often 15 to 35 percent lower overall, with the biggest gap in rent and deposits.
Busan, Daejeon, Daegu, and Gwangju all host strong universities at a lower cost of living than Seoul.
Housing is the swing factor; food and transport vary much less between cities.
These are estimates. Your real number depends on housing choice and lifestyle more than on the city itself.

Approximate monthly living cost by city

These figures exclude tuition and assume a typical student lifestyle (a modest room, cooking some meals, public transport). Treat them as rough planning estimates, not quotes, because your housing choice moves the number more than the city does.

Estimated monthly living cost by city (excluding tuition)

Item	KRW	USD (approx)
Seoul The benchmark. Highest rent and deposits in the country	1,000,000 to 1,600,000	740 to 1,185
Busan Major coastal city, lower housing than Seoul	850,000 to 1,300,000	630 to 960
Daejeon Science and research hub, student-friendly costs	800,000 to 1,250,000	590 to 925
Daegu Large inland city, affordable housing	800,000 to 1,250,000	590 to 925
Gwangju Often the lowest of the major cities	750,000 to 1,200,000	555 to 890

USD at ≈ ₩1,350 per $1. Check current rate before budgeting.

Why a regional city can be the smart choice

Leaving Seoul is not a compromise the way it might be in some countries:

Transport is superb. The KTX connects cities in one to three hours, so you are never truly isolated. See getting around Korea.
The universities are real. Daejeon (science and technology), Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and Pohang all host respected institutions, several of them national universities with lower tuition.
Your money goes further. Lower rent frees up budget for travel, saving, or simply less financial stress.

What to do next

Build your full monthly plan with the monthly student budget guide.
See the complete tuition-plus-living picture in cost of studying in Korea.
Compare specific schools and cities in the universities directory.

Frequently asked questions

Which Korean city is cheapest for students?

Among the major cities, Gwangju, Daegu, Daejeon, and Busan are all noticeably cheaper than Seoul, with Gwangju often the lowest. The difference is driven mostly by housing. Smaller university towns can be cheaper still.

How much cheaper is living outside Seoul in Korea?

Overall living costs in regional cities tend to run roughly 15 to 35 percent lower than in Seoul, with the largest gap in rent and housing deposits. Food, transport, and phone costs are similar across the country.

How much does it cost to live in Seoul as a student?

A typical student month in Seoul runs about KRW 1,000,000 to 1,600,000 (roughly USD 740 to 1,185), excluding tuition. Housing is the biggest variable, from a dorm or goshiwon at the low end to a one-room apartment with a deposit at the higher end.

Is it worth studying outside Seoul to save money?

Often yes. Korea's KTX and transport network keep regional cities well connected, and cities like Daejeon, Busan, Daegu, and Gwangju host strong universities at a lower cost of living. A national university outside Seoul, paired with a scholarship, is the most affordable route of all.