| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Apartment Rentals | A one-bedroom apartment in the city center of Daejeon costs around 500,000 KRW to 700,000 KRW per month. A three-bedroom apartment in the same area costs around 1,000,000 KRW to 1,500,000 KRW per month. |
| Apartment Purchases | The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city center is approximately 6,000,000 KRW to 8,000,000 KRW. Outside the city center, the price drops to around 4,000,000 KRW to 6,000,000 KRW per square meter. |
| Transportation | A one-way ticket on local transport costs around 1,300 KRW, while a monthly pass is about 55,000 KRW. Taxi start is around 3,000 KRW, with an additional 800 KRW per kilometer. Gasoline is approximately 1,500 KRW per liter. |
| Groceries | The average cost of a liter of milk is around 2,000 KRW, a loaf of bread is about 2,500 KRW, a dozen eggs cost around 3,000 KRW, and 1 kg of local cheese is about 15,000 KRW. Fruits and vegetables vary, but a kg of apples is around 5,000 KRW, and a kg of potatoes is about 2,000 KRW. |
| Restaurants | A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around 7,000 KRW, while a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is about 40,000 KRW. A regular cappuccino costs around 4,000 KRW. |
| Utilities | Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment, including electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage, cost around 150,000 KRW to 200,000 KRW per month. Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) costs around 30,000 KRW per month. |
| Private School Tuition | Private school tuition varies greatly depending on the school. For preschool, it can range from 500,000 KRW to 1,000,000 KRW per month. Elementary school can range from 1,000,000 KRW to 2,000,000 KRW per month. Middle school and high school can range from 2,000,000 KRW to 3,000,000 KRW per month. |
Monthly Budget for Retirees in Daejeon
“The cost of living in Daejeon is relatively affordable compared to other major cities in South Korea like Seoul. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is moderately priced, while it is significantly cheaper in the outskirts of the city. The cost of utilities such as electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage is also reasonable. Groceries in Daejeon are quite affordable, with prices for items like bread, milk, eggs, fruits, and vegetables being relatively low. Eating out at an inexpensive restaurant is also quite cheap, while a three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant is moderately priced. Public transportation in Daejeon is also quite affordable, with a one-way ticket on local transport being quite cheap. A monthly pass is also reasonably priced. Taxis start at a low price, with a one-kilometer ride also being quite cheap. Healthcare in Daejeon is of a high standard and is reasonably priced. A short visit to a private doctor is quite affordable. Fitness club fees in the business district are moderately priced per month. Clothing and shoes are priced similarly to other cities in South Korea, with a pair of jeans, a summer dress in a chain store, and a pair of running shoes all being moderately priced. In summary, the cost of living in Daejeon, Korea is quite affordable, especially when compared to larger cities in the country. It offers a good quality of life with reasonable prices for housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and other necessities,” said one expat living in Daejeon.
Can I live in Daejeon on $1,500 a month?
“I’ve been living in Daejeon for a few years now and I can tell you that it’s definitely possible to live comfortably on $1,500 a month, but it does require some careful budgeting and lifestyle adjustments. For housing, I’d recommend looking at neighborhoods like Yuseong-gu or Seo-gu. They’re a bit more affordable and still have a lot of great amenities. I pay about $500 a month for a decent one-bedroom apartment in Yuseong-gu. It’s not luxurious, but it’s comfortable and close to public transportation. On the other hand, neighborhoods like Dunsan-dong or Daedeok-gu tend to be more expensive, so I’d avoid those if you’re trying to stick to a budget. Food can be quite affordable if you eat like a local. I spend about $200 a month on groceries and eating out. Korean food is delicious and inexpensive, especially if you stick to local markets and restaurants. Western food and imported goods can be pricey, so I’ve learned to adapt my diet. Transportation is also quite affordable. I use public transportation and it costs me about $50 a month. Taxis are also relatively cheap, but I try to avoid them to save money. As for utilities, I pay about $100 a month for electricity, water, and gas. Internet and mobile phone service are also quite affordable, costing me about $30 a month. The rest of my budget goes towards entertainment and miscellaneous expenses. There are plenty of free or low-cost activities in Daejon, like hiking in the local parks or visiting the city’s many museums. The biggest sacrifice I’ve had to make is probably giving up certain Western comforts. Imported goods are expensive, so I’ve learned to live without certain brands or products that I used to use back home. But overall, I’ve found that living in Daejeon on $1,500 a month is quite doable and I’ve been able to live a comfortable and enjoyable life here,” commented an expat living in Daejeon.
Can I live in Daejeon on $3,500 a month?
“I’ve been living in Daejeon for a few years now and I can tell you that it’s definitely possible to live comfortably on $3,000 a month, even if you’re used to modern amenities. However, you might have to make a few sacrifices. For instance, you might not be able to dine out at high-end restaurants every night or live in the most luxurious apartment, but you can certainly live a comfortable and enjoyable life. The cost of living in Daejon is quite reasonable compared to other major cities in Korea like Seoul. For example, you can rent a decent one-bedroom apartment in the city center for about $500-$600 a month. If you’re willing to live a bit further out, you can find even cheaper options. In terms of neighborhoods, I would recommend looking at places like Yuseong-gu or Seo-gu. These areas are quite affordable and they have a good mix of local amenities like shops, restaurants, and parks. On the other hand, I would avoid neighborhoods like Dunsan-dong or Daedeok-gu. These areas are more expensive and might stretch your budget a bit too thin. Groceries are also quite affordable in Daejeon. You can expect to spend around $200-$300 a month on groceries if you cook at home most of the time. Eating out is also quite affordable, with a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costing around $6-$10. Transportation costs are also quite low. A one-way ticket on local transport costs less than $1, and a monthly pass is around $30. If you prefer to drive, gasoline costs around $1.20 per liter. In terms of entertainment, there are plenty of affordable options. A movie ticket costs around $8, and a monthly gym membership is around $40. There are also plenty of free or low-cost activities to do in Daejeon, like hiking in the local mountains or visiting the city’s many parks and museums. Of course, there are always unexpected expenses that can come up, so it’s a good idea to have some savings set aside. But overall, I’ve found that living in Daejeon on $3,000 a month is not only possible, but quite comfortable,” said one expat living in Daejeon.
Can I live in Daejeon on $5,000 a month?
“I’ve been living in Daejeon for a few years now and I can tell you that living on $5,000 a month is not only possible, but you can live quite comfortably. The cost of living here is significantly lower than in major cities like Seoul. For instance, a one-bedroom apartment in the city center of Daejeon will cost you around $500-$600 per month, while in the outskirts, it can be as low as $300-$400. If you’re looking for more upscale neighborhoods, consider Dunsan-dong or Yuseong-gu. These areas are a bit pricier, but they’re also home to many of the city’s best restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. On the other hand, if you’re looking to save money, neighborhoods like Daedeok-gu or Jung-gu are more affordable and still offer a good quality of life. When it comes to utilities, you can expect to pay around $100-$150 per month, depending on the season. Internet and mobile services are quite affordable, with high-speed internet costing around $20-$30 per month and a mobile plan with unlimited data for about $40. Groceries are also reasonably priced. You can expect to spend around $200-$300 per month if you cook at home. Eating out is also quite affordable, with a meal at a mid-range restaurant costing around $7-$10. Transportation costs are also low. A one-way ticket on public transportation costs less than $1, and a monthly pass is about $30. Taxis are also affordable, with a start fare of around $2 and an additional $1 for every kilometer. As for entertainment, a movie ticket costs around $8, and a monthly gym membership is about $50. There are also plenty of free or low-cost activities to enjoy, like hiking in the many mountains around the city or exploring the local markets and parks. The only significant expense you might face is healthcare. While the healthcare system in Korea is excellent, it can be expensive if you’re not covered by the national health insurance. However, if you’re working here, your employer will likely cover half of the insurance cost, which should bring your monthly healthcare expenses to around $100-$150. In terms of sacrifices, you might find that some western goods are more expensive here, so you might have to adjust your shopping habits. Also, while Daejeon is a modern city, it’s not as cosmopolitan as Seoul, so there might be fewer entertainment options that cater to western tastes. But overall, I think you’ll find that living in Daejon on $5,000 a month is not only feasible, but it can also offer a comfortable and enjoyable lifestyle,” commented an expat living in Daejeon.
