Rent affordability guide · KR
Cost of living in Seoul: salary and rent guide
Typical 1-bedroom rent in Seoul ranges from ₩550,000 to ₩2,000,000/month. To live comfortably here you generally need at least ₩40,000,000/year.
Rent distribution in Seoul
₩550,000
Budget
cheapest 10%
₩1,000,000
Median
most common
₩2,000,000
Premium
top 10%
These figures are for a 1-bedroom apartment equivalent in Seoul. Prices vary significantly by neighbourhood.
What salary do you need?
To afford median rent comfortably (25%)₩48,000,000/yr
To afford median rent at 30% (standard)₩40,000,000/yr
To afford budget rent comfortably (25%)₩26,400,000/yr
How locals spend in Seoul
Renters in Seoul typically spend 16–32% of their gross income on rent.
25th percentile of renters16%
Median renter23%
75th percentile of renters32%
Source: Statistics Korea household survey — jeonse system complicates monthly rent comparisons · 2023
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