Cost of living · Seoul · 2026 Edition

Cost of Living in Seoul:
Where Does Your Paycheck Go?
Let's Find Out.

An interactive breakdown of where Seoul incomes actually go — and what changes when you solve the one variable that matters most.

$1,100/momedian 1BR rent

~22% effectiveincome tax

0.52×vs Silicon Valley

Cost of living in Seoul: the numbers

In Seoul, the median one-bedroom rent is $1,100 per month, income tax is about 22% effective, and overall costs run about 0.50× Silicon Valley. A typical single tech salary here is around $65,000. This interactive calculator breaks down where that paycheck goes — taxes, housing (rent or own), childcare, and everyday living expenses — and shows what's left over each month. It also compares Seoul with 12 other cities, from San Francisco to Tokyo. See the full multi-city calculator.

The calculator requires JavaScript. Without it, you can still explore the research behind it:

Your Housing Situation

after taxes · 401(k) · housing · all living expenses

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