Cost of Living in South Korea for Indian Students in 2025
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So, you have got the kimchi cravings, the K-pop dreams, and a burning desire to dive deep into the Korean culture? But before you get on that plane to Seoul, let's explore the living expenses in South Korea for international students, tips to manage your budget and tuition fees of top universities in S. Korea.
The cost of living in South Korea, especially for Indian students, is less than in most major countries like the US, the UK, Canada and Australia. However, the major part of the living expenses is contributed by accommodations, and we will discuss all types of accommodations available in South Korea for students, along with their estimated average rent. This article covers details on the cost of living in South Korea, from affordable eateries to budget-friendly entertainment places. Additionally, the article also consists of the average estimated costs to live in South Korea in 2025.
Also Read: How to Learn Korean Language?
- Cost of Housing in South Korea
- Cost of Transportation in South Korea
- Cost of Dining & Entertainment
- Miscellaneous Costs
- Total Cost of Living in South Korea for Indian Students
- Top 5 Universities in South Korea and Their Average Tuition Fees
- Cost of Living in South Korea Vs. India
- Cost of Living in South Korea for Indian Students FAQs
Cost of Housing in South Korea
Finding an affordable haven in South Korea can be tricky, but fret not! Here is a breakdown of accommodation costs in South Korea-
- University dorms- These are the most budget-friendly options for international students in South Korea. The monthly cost of renting university dorms ranges from ₩ 350,000 to ₩ 800,000.
- Goshiwons- Commonly known as the “off-campus housing” in South Korea, Goshiwons are isolated study rooms built especially to house and feed scholars and test takers in S. Korea. Goshiwons are much affordable than private apartments and come with basic living amenities. The cost of renting Goshiwons start from ₩ 300,000 per month.
- Off-campus apartments- Sharing a flat with friends can be cost-effective, with studio apartments starting around ₩500,000 in Seoul and even lower in other cities.
| Types of Accommodations |
Average Monthly Cost (Won) |
Average Monthly Cost (INR, converted at an exchange rate of ₩1 = ₹0.063 INR) |
|---|---|---|
| University Dorms |
350k to 800k |
22.2k to 50.8k |
| Goshiwon |
300k to 800k |
19k to 50.8k |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in the city centre |
800k+ |
50.8k+ |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment outside the city centre |
540k |
34.3k |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in the city centre |
2,000k |
1.27L |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment outside the city centre |
1,229k |
78k |
*The estimated costs in INR are rounded and as per the current KRW to INR exchange rate.
Below are the tips for decreasing your accommodation costs in South Korea.
- Apply early: Secure your university dorm or Goshiwon spot well in advance, especially during peak seasons. Applying early will not just increase your chances of getting one, but you can also get your hands on one of the best properties.
- Consider co-living- Sharing an apartment with roommates can significantly reduce costs. Communicate with the group of students travelling with you to South Korea, or you can also join the student communities after landing in the country of your dreams.
- Look outside of the major cities- Cities like Busan or Daejeon offer cheaper accommodation rents.
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Cost of Transportation in South Korea
Below are the different transportation methods in South Korea for international students.
- T-money card- It is a rechargeable card that offers discounts on subways, buses, and trains.
- Subways and Buses- Metro is cheap, with fares starting from ₩1,250. Buses are equally affordable but cover various routes.
- Korail trains- They connect cities with high-speed trains, although fares can be pricier than buses.
The breakdown of transportation costs is given below.
| Transportation Method |
Average Cost (Won) |
Average Cost (INR, converted at an exchange rate of 1 Won = 0.063 INR)* |
|---|---|---|
| Local Transport (1-way Ticket) |
1500 |
95.23 |
| Monthly Pass of the Local Transport |
65,000 |
4,127 |
| Taxi |
4.5k to 12k |
286 to 762 |
The tips for managing the transportation costs in South Korea are-
- Get a monthly pass- For public transport, a monthly pass can save you a lot of money.
- Walk or cycle- Move to the nearby areas on foot or rent a bicycle. This will not just save you some money but will also keep you healthy.
- Share taxis- Split the taxi fare with your friends, and travel together whenever possible.
- Download navigation apps like KakaoMap and Naver Map for navigating the public transport in the country.
Cost of Dining & Entertainment
When you are in South Korea for higher studies, don't forget the Korean street food, which is drooled over by many tourists and visitors. Also, you can try the budget-friendly eateries in South Korea that offer dishes like bibimbap, kimbap, and more.
| Food Options and Entertainment Activities |
Average Cost (Won) |
Average Cost (INR, converted at an exchange rate of 1 Won = 0.062 INR)* |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Time meal at an inexpensive restaurant |
10k |
635 |
| 1 Time meal at a mid-range restaurant |
25k |
1587 |
| McDonald’s McMeal |
8k |
508 |
| Street Food (Tteokbokki, Kimbap) |
1.8k to 3k per meal |
114 to 191 |
| Karaoke Nights |
10k to 20k (shared) |
635 to 1270 |
| Total Food Prices, Estimated on a Monthly Basis |
321k+ |
20.4k |
Miscellaneous Costs
Apart from food, travel and accommodation, other expenditures must be taken care of while planning your stay in South Korea. Such cost breakdown is given below.
| Expenditures |
Average Monthly Cost (Won) |
Average Monthly Cost (INR, converted at an exchange rate of 1 Won = 0.062 INR)* |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Bills and Internet Subscription |
88.5k |
5,619 |
| Fitness Clubs |
62k |
3,936 |
Total Cost of Living in South Korea for Indian Students
The average cost to live in South Korea for Indian students including the stationary costs and college tuition fees is given below.
| Expenditures |
Average Amount (AED) |
Average Amount (INR, converted at an exchange rate of 1 Won = 0.062 INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Books and Stationary (one-time pay) |
20k to 50k |
1,270 to 3,174 |
| Yearly Tuition Fees (Public and Private Universities) |
1,928k to 14,466k |
1.22 L to 9.18 L |
| Travelling (Local transport) |
62k |
3,936 |
| Food |
321k |
20.4k |
| Entertainment |
10k to 50k |
635 to 3,174 |
| Accommodation (University Dorms) |
350k to 800k |
22.2k to 50.8k |
| Phone and Internet Subscriptions |
88.5k |
5,619 |
Top 5 Universities in South Korea and Their Average Tuition Fees
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
The top 5 universities in South Korea and their fees are given below.
| Universities |
Average Annual Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
| Seoul National University, Seoul |
UG: INR 2.93 L |
| KAIST - Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology, Daejeon |
PG: INR 4.86 L - 15.12 L |
| Korea University, Seoul |
UG: INR 5.16 L - 6.6 L PG: INR 4.29 L - 26.4 L |
| Pohang University of Science And Technology (POSTECH), Pohang |
₹ 4.45 L - 7.6 L |
| Yonsei University, Seoul |
UG: INR 2.57 L PG: INR 27 L |
Cost of Living in South Korea Vs. India
The cost of living in South Korea is generally higher than in India. Here is a breakdown of the monthly expenses in South Korea and in India:
| Cost of Living in South Korea Vs. India | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Cost in South Korea (KRW/₩) | Cost in India (INR/₹) |
| Monthly Rent (1BHK, city centre) | ₩800,000 – ₩1,200,000 |
₹50,840 – ₹76,260 |
| Monthly Groceries | ₩400,000 – ₩600,000 |
₹25,420 – ₹38,130 |
| Meal at an inexpensive restaurant | ₩8,000 – ₩12,000 |
₹508 – ₹763 |
| Transport (monthly pass) | ₩65,000 – ₩75,000 |
₹4,131 – ₹4,766 |
| Monthly Utilities (electricity, gas, etc.) | ₩150,000 – ₩250,000 |
₹9,533 – ₹15,888 |
| Monthly Mobile Plan | ₩30,000 – ₩60,000 |
₹1,907 – ₹3,813 |
| Monthly Internet Bills | ₩25,000 – ₩40,000 |
₹1,589 – ₹2,542 |
This was all about cost of living in South Korea. If you have any doubts - feel free to drop your queries in comments section.
Cost of Living in South Korea for Indian Students FAQs
Yes, living in South Korea is costlier than living in India. The major weightage towards the average cost of living in South Korea is of accommodations. Accommodations are way pricier in South Korea in comparison to India.
To live comfortably in South Korea, a monthly salary of around 2,000,000 won (approximately $1,680) or more is generally recommended. However, this can vary depending on your lifestyle and location preferences.
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The average cost living in South Korea is INR 1.5 Lacs for Indian people. This figure is inclusive of all the rents, entertainment activities, food and transportation.