Gwangju, South Korea
Editor
March 12, 2023
Gwangju is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a vibrant and exciting city to explore. Located in the southwest of South Korea, Gwangju is the sixth largest city in the country and is known for its vibrant culture, delicious food, and friendly locals. With a population of 1.5 million, Gwangju is a bustling city with plenty of activities to keep digital nomads busy. The city is home to a number of universities, museums, and cultural sites, making it a great place to explore and learn about the history and culture of South Korea. Additionally, Gwangju is known for its low cost of living, with the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment costing around $400 USD. The city also boasts a reliable public transportation system, making it easy to get around. With its vibrant culture, delicious food, and low cost of living, Gwangju is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for an exciting and affordable place to explore.
Living in Gwangju, South Korea: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
58%
Quality of life -
57%
Cost of living -
63%
Connectivity -
79%
Weather
55
General
| Currency | KRW |
| Population (in millions) | 1.5 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | 78 |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 10% cheaper |
| Best neighborhood to stay | Sangmu, Dong-gu |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 30 |
| Top selling local beer | Hite |
| Most popular local dish | Bibimbap |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | Gwangju National Museum, May 18th National Cemetery, Gwangju Biennale |
| Discount airline | JejuAir |
| Major airline | Korean Air |
| Largest ride sharing company | Kakao Mobility |
| Primary train stations | Gwangju Station, Gwangju Songjeong Station, Gwangju Donggu Station |
| Primary airports | Gwangju Airport, Muan International Airport, Yeosu Airport |
| Best rental car company | Avis |
| Used car costs | Approximately 5000000 KRW |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | Apple Store Gwangju is located at Shinsegae Department Store, 2nd Floor, Gwangju Jungang-ro, Dong-gu, Gwangju |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 100 Mbps |
| Power socket type | C, G |
| Supply voltage | 220V |
| Best electronics store | Lotte |
| Best internet carrier | KT |
| Primary cellular carrier | SKT |
| Average monthly cost for internet | 70,000 KRW |
Shopping
| The best drug store | Olive Young |
| Best restaurant chain | Outback Steakhouse |
| The best grocery store | Homeplus |
| The most popular fashion brand | Uniqlo |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $25,945 / year |
| Average annual income | $25,000 |
| Sales tax rate | 10% |
| Income tax rate | 10% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 90 days |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 4.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | 10000 KRW |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | KB Kookmin Bank |
| Average tip in restaurant | 10-15% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Not very common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 119 (general), 112 (police), 119 (ambulance), 119 (firefighters) |
| Polution per square meter | 1,845 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | 11 |
| Main religion | Buddhism |
Quality of life
58%
-
62%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
71%
Property to income -
38%
Crime -
0%
Healthcare -
79%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | ₩2,690,000 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 3.85% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | ₩950,000 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | ₩0 |
Cost of living
57%
-
Purchasing Power
0%
-
Rent
10%
-
Food
125%
-
Restaurant
51%
-
Workspace
56%
-
Transport
62%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | ₩366,666.67 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | ₩383,333.33 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | ₩800,000 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | ₩600,000 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | ₩20,000 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | ₩2,533.33 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | ₩3,066.67 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | ₩3,466.67 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | ₩10,000 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | ₩2,000 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | ₩20,500 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | ₩2,195 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | ₩3,250 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | ₩4,500 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | ₩10,000 |
| Apples (1kg) | ₩20,000 |
| Oranges (1kg) | ₩20,000 |
| Potato (1kg) | ₩4,750 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | ₩3,500 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | ₩3,000 |
| Tomato (1kg) | ₩11,000 |
| Banana (1kg) | ₩7,250 |
| Onion (1kg) | ₩5,000 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | ₩60,000 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | ₩12,500 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | ₩70,000 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | ₩8,000 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | ₩3,250 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | ₩4,000 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | ₩1,666.67 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | ₩966.67 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | ₩6,331.67 |
Connectivity
94%
Infrastructure
89/100
Internet speed
92/100
Internet cost
95/100
Pre-paid plan
98/100
Utilities (Monthly)
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment | ₩144,444.44 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | ₩216.5 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | ₩32,500 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | ₩65,000 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | ₩20,000 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | ₩12,000 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | ₩1,250 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | ₩1,746.97 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | ₩38,000,000 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | ₩30,000,000 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | ₩3,300 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | ₩0 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | ₩30,000 |
