Cost of Living in Taipei vs Busan

Cost of living in Taipei is 14% lower than in Busan (without rent).

Rent in Taipei is 35% more expensive than in Busan.

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

Food in Taipei is 13% cheaper than in Busan.

Transport in Taipei is 28% cheaper than in Busan.

Taipei vs. Busan Comparision

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

Compare other cities?

Taipei Busan

Restaurants

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

Markets

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

Transport

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

Personal Care

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

Utilities per Month

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

Rent per Month

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

Buy Apartment Price

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

Salaries and Financing

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

Sports and Leisure

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

Clothing and Shoes

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

Childcare

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