City in North Gyeongsang, South Korea
Cost of living in Gyeongju
How much a month costs in Gyeongju
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $1,340–1,930 (₩1.8M–2.6M).
Prices in Gyeongju
Typical 2026 ranges in KRW, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | KRW | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | ₩400,000–700,000 | $297–520 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | ₩300,000–550,000 | $223–408 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | ₩18,000–32,000 | $13–24 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | ₩70,000–150,000 | $52–111 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | ₩7,000–11,000 | $5.2–8.2 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | ₩12,000–28,000 | $9–21 |
| Cappuccino | ₩4,000–6,500 | $3.0–4.8 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | ₩4,500–7,000 | $3.3–5.2 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | ₩1,500–2,000 | $1.1–1.5 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | ₩5,000–8,000 | $3.7–5.9 |
| Work and life | ||
| Gym membership (month) | ₩30,000–70,000 | $22–52 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | ₩30,000–55,000 | $22–41 |
Value for money: 71/100
A value score of 71/100 means Gyeongju gives more quality of life per dollar than 70% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 76/100. It's the 1st most affordable of 11 places we cover in South Korea.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across South Korea
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
Cheaper alternatives to Gyeongju
Similar safety, lower cost, in East Asia.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Kawaguchiko | Japan | $1,010–1,650 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Gyeongju?
About $668–965 on a lean budget, $1,340–1,930 for a comfortable month and $2,820–4,450 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Gyeongju?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs ₩400,000–700,000 ($297–520) a month in the center and ₩300,000–550,000 ($223–408) outside it.
How much does food cost in Gyeongju?
A local meal is ₩7,000–11,000 ($5.2–8.2); a mid-range restaurant is ₩12,000–28,000 ($9–21) per person.
Is South Korea expensive?
Prices in South Korea are about 57% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Gyeongju
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Gyeongju City Tourism
- Visit Korea (Korea Tourism Organization)
- Korail (KTX)
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.