Cost of Living in Busan vs Taipei

Cost of living in Busan is 17% higher than in Taipei (without rent).

Rent in Busan is 26% cheaper than in Taipei.

Cost of living including rent in Busan is 3% lower than in Taipei.

Food in Busan is 15% more expensive than in Taipei.

Transport in Busan is 38% more expensive than in Taipei.

Busan vs. Taipei Comparision

Busan Taipei
Cost of Living, including rent
1,122 $
1,158 $
Without Rent
726 $
623 $
Rent & Utilities
395 $
535 $
Food
472 $
412 $
Transport
148 $
107 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
2,421 $
1,789 $
Quality of Life
89
86
Population
3.5M
2.6M

Compare other cities?

Busan Taipei

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
5.92 $ 5.98 $
Dinner, for 2 34.7 $ 31.5 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 5.87 $ 5.15 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 3.56 $ 2.59 $
Capuccino 4.09 $ 3.31 $
Coke, 330ml 1.86 $ 0.99 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 2.17 $ 2.91 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 3.21 $ 1.89 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.99 $ 3.01 $
Eggs, 12 pack 3.36 $ 2.77 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 13.9 $ 16.4 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 8.91 $ 9.54 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 28.2 $ 17.1 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 7.36 $ 4.52 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.31 $ 2.21 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 7.55 $ 2.83 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.43 $ 2.85 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.51 $ 2.42 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 0.8 $ 0.83 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.14 $ 1.8 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 14.1 $ 12.5 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.85 $ 1.63 $
Cigarette pack 3.38 $ 3.73 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 1.15 $ 0.78 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 44.1 $ 37.6 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 1.22 $ 0.98 $
Taxi, 8 km 12.3 $ 8.86 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 25.1 $ 34.3 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 4.71 $ 9.34 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 4.08 $ 7.97 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 1.72 $ 1.58 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 1.4 $ 2.75 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
74.8 $ 54.8 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
114 $ 84 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
17.5 $ 24.9 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 273 $ 426 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 636 $ 1,031 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 423 $ 573 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 902 $ 1,581 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 8,000 $ 12,472 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 7,248 $ 6,228 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 2,421 $ 1,789 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 4.21 % 1.93 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 47.1 $ 39.4 $
Cinema, 1 seat 10.4 $ 10 $
Haircut 9.6 $ 16.8 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 87.9 $ 85.9 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 92.7 $ 57.1 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 557 $ 627 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 14,632 $ 18,424 $