KR Busan — cost of living

What it actually costs to live in Busan, South Korea. Monthly rent, utilities, groceries, and transit costs sourced from national statistical offices and municipal data.

Total monthly essentials: approximately €1,335,000/month for a single person in a 1-bedroom flat (rent + utilities + groceries + transit). Lifestyle and neighbourhood swing this 30–50% either way.

Cost breakdown

Item	Monthly / item cost	Source
1-bedroom flat, city centre	€650,000/mo	Naver Real Estate Q4 2024 Busan Haeundae/Seomyeon ↗
Rent per square metre	€18000.00/m²	Naver Real Estate Q4 2024 Busan central ↗
Utilities (85m² flat)	€230,000/mo	KEPCO + KOGAS + water 2025 ↗
Public transport pass	€55,000/mo	Busan Metro + city bus monthly ↗
Groceries, one person	€400,000/mo	KOSIS 2025 consumption basket ↗
Restaurant meal, average	€10,000	Busan mid-range dining ↗

Figures reflect the most recent published statistical data; individual experience varies with district and lifestyle.

Visa routes for South Korea

Relevant residence permits to move to Busan. Full detail on the South Korea country brief.

VisaE-7 Foreign Skilled WorkerManagers, technical specialists, and qualified professionals.VisaD-8 Corporate InvestmentForeign-investment-funded employees and founders of Korean entities.VisaD-10 Job Seeker / Top-TierRecent graduates and tech professionals seeking Korean employment.VisaF-1-D Workation (Digital Nomad) VisaNon-Korean remote workers earning ≥ ₩88M/year from non-Korean employers.

Other cities in South Korea

CityDaegu CityDaejeon CityIncheon CitySeoul

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