Seoul, South Korea
Editor
March 12, 2023
Seoul is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking for a vibrant and exciting city to explore. With its bustling streets, world-class cuisine, and vibrant nightlife, Seoul is a great place to work and play. The city is also home to some of the world's most advanced technology, making it an ideal place for digital nomads to stay connected and productive. According to the World Economic Forum, Seoul is the world's most connected city, with the highest number of internet users per capita. Additionally, the city has the highest number of mobile phone users in the world, with over 95% of the population owning a mobile device. Seoul also boasts some of the fastest internet speeds in the world, with an average download speed of over 100 Mbps. With its excellent infrastructure and high-tech environment, Seoul is an ideal destination for digital nomads looking to stay connected and productive.
Living in Seoul, South Korea: Overview
Overall score | Worksplorer index
-
102%
Quality of life -
59%
Cost of living -
63%
Connectivity -
68%
Weather
60
General
| Currency | KRW |
| Population (in millions) | 10.5 |
| Quality of life (world rank from 1 to 200) | 37 |
| Cost of living compared to Chicago, USA | 10% more expensive |
| Best neighborhood to stay | Gangnam, Seoul-si |
Culture
| Number of museums and galleries | 200 |
| Top selling local beer | Hite |
| Most popular local dish | Bibimbap |
Travel
| Most popular tourist attraction(s) | Gyeongbokgung Palace, N Seoul Tower, Bukchon Hanok Village |
| Discount airline | Jejuair |
| Major airline | Korean Air |
| Largest ride sharing company | Kakao Mobility |
| Primary train stations | Seoul Station, Yongsan Station, Cheongnyangni Station |
| Primary airports | Incheon, Gimpo, and Gimhae |
| Best rental car company | Hertz |
| Used car costs | 150000 KRW |
Connectivity
| Apple store addresses | Apple Store Seoul, 15, Apgujeong-ro 60-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea |
| Internet connection (in Mbps) | 100 Mbps |
| Power socket type | C, G |
| Supply voltage | 220V |
| Best electronics store | Naver |
| Best internet carrier | KT |
| Primary cellular carrier | SK Telecom |
| Average monthly cost for internet | 70,000 KRW |
Shopping
| The best drug store | Olive Young |
| Best restaurant chain | Hanilkwan |
| The best grocery store | E-Mart |
| The most popular fashion brand | Uniqlo |
Regulatory
| GDP per capita | $39,845 / year |
| Average annual income | $35000 |
| Sales tax rate | 10% |
| Income tax rate | 22.2% |
| Tourist visa valid (in days) | 90 days |
Financial
| Average mortgage rate | 2.5% |
| Suggested ATM take out | 100,000 KRW |
| Bank that has the most ATM machines | Shinhan Bank |
| Average tip in restaurant | 10-15% |
| Pay using credit or debit card | Increasingly common |
Health
| Emergency Phone Numbers | 119 (general), 112 (police), 119 (ambulance), 119 (firefighters) |
| Polution per square meter | 5,945 |
| Health quality rank (according to WHO) | 11 |
| Main religion | Buddhism |
Quality of life
102%
-
75%
Safety, freedom, rights -
99%
Traffic -
264%
Property to income -
25%
Crime -
83%
Healthcare -
68%
Weather
Salaries
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | ₩3,497,766 |
| Mortgage Interest Rate in Percentages (%), Yearly, for 20 Years Fixed-Rate | 3.69% |
Childcare
| Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child | ₩500,529 |
| International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child | ₩24,208,961 |
Cost of living
59%
-
Purchasing Power
81%
-
Rent
35%
-
Food
100%
-
Restaurant
45%
-
Workspace
58%
-
Transport
42%
Rent
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre Per Month | ₩983,578.52 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre Per Month | ₩769,209.31 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre Per Month | ₩3,580,164.97 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre Per Month | ₩2,204,357.95 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend), Sports And Leisure | ₩24,342.5 |
Food
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | ₩2,920.53 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | ₩4,115.42 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | ₩5,139.58 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | ₩15,024.33 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | ₩1,394.44 |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | ₩20,000 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | ₩2,849.57 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | ₩3,206.79 |
| Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro) | ₩4,500 |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | ₩14,080.01 |
| Apples (1kg) | ₩8,402.95 |
| Oranges (1kg) | ₩8,170.74 |
| Potato (1kg) | ₩4,885.58 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | ₩3,118.23 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | ₩4,737.39 |
| Tomato (1kg) | ₩8,025.42 |
| Banana (1kg) | ₩4,837.16 |
| Onion (1kg) | ₩3,997.93 |
| Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | ₩57,517.47 |
Restaurants
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | ₩9,000 |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | ₩65,000 |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | ₩8,000 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) | ₩4,500 |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | ₩6,500 |
| Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) | ₩1,970.84 |
| Water (0.33 liter bottle) | ₩1,049.2 |
| Cappuccino (regular) | ₩5,228.57 |
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 | ₩238,936.51 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans) | ₩207 |
| Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | ₩28,850.33 |
Sports
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | ₩68,669.1 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) | ₩24,342.5 |
| Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | ₩14,000 |
Transportation
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | ₩1,300 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | ₩55,000 |
| Gasoline (1 liter) | ₩1,880.82 |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car) | ₩40,000,000 |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car) | ₩35,461,805.56 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | ₩3,800 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | ₩1,100 |
| Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | ₩13,500 |